The concept of being "indebted" in the Bible encompasses both literal financial obligations and metaphorical spiritual or moral debts. The term is often used to describe the responsibilities and duties one owes to others, to God, and to oneself. The Bible addresses indebtedness in various contexts, providing guidance on how to manage and perceive these obligations.

Financial Indebtedness

In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law provided specific instructions regarding financial debts. The Israelites were commanded to lend to the poor without interest (Exodus 22:25) and to release debts every seven years during the Year of Release (Deuteronomy 15:1-2). This system was designed to prevent perpetual poverty and to promote economic justice and compassion within the community.

Proverbs offers wisdom on the dangers of financial indebtedness, warning that "the borrower is slave to the lender" (Proverbs 22:7). This highlights the potential loss of freedom and autonomy that can accompany financial obligations.

Moral and Spiritual Indebtedness

Beyond financial matters, the Bible frequently uses the concept of indebtedness to describe moral and spiritual obligations. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). Here, "debts" symbolize sins or transgressions, emphasizing the need for forgiveness and reconciliation.

The Apostle Paul expands on this theme in his epistles. In Romans 13:8, he writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law" . Paul underscores that love is the ultimate debt that believers owe to each other, a perpetual obligation that fulfills God's commandments.

Indebtedness to God

The Bible also speaks of humanity's indebtedness to God. This is rooted in the understanding that all people have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). The debt of sin is one that humans cannot repay on their own. However, through the sacrificial death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are offered redemption and forgiveness. Colossians 2:13-14 states, "When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses, having canceled the debt ascribed to us in the decrees that stood against us. He took it away, nailing it to the cross" .

Practical Implications

The biblical teachings on indebtedness encourage believers to live responsibly, both financially and spiritually. Christians are called to practice generosity, forgiveness, and love, recognizing that these virtues reflect the character of God and the grace they have received through Christ. The Bible's guidance on indebtedness serves as a reminder of the importance of living in a way that honors God and serves others.1. (imp. & p. p.) of Indebt.

2. (a.) Brought into debt; being under obligation; held to payment or requital; beholden.

3. (a.) Placed under obligation for something received, for which restitution or gratitude is due; as, we are indebted to our parents for their care of us in infancy; indebted to friends for help and encouragement.

3781. opheiletes -- a debtor
... opheiletes Phonetic Spelling: (of-i-let'-ace) Short Definition: a debtor, sinner
Definition: (a) a debtor, one who owes, one who is indebted, (b) one who has ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3781.htm - 7k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... word Definition to owe NASB Word Usage had (1), have (1), indebted (2), must (1),
obligated (3), ought (15), owe (4), owed (4), owes (1), responsible (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

5533. chreopheiletes -- a debtor
... debtor. From a derivative of chrao and opheiletes; a loan-ower, ie Indebted
person -- debtor. see GREEK chrao. see GREEK opheiletes. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5533.htm - 6k

4359. prosopheilo -- to owe besides
... still owe. From pros and opheilo; to be indebted additionally -- over besides. see
GREEK pros. see GREEK opheilo. (prosopheileis) -- 1 Occurrence. 4358, 4359 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4359.htm - 7k

To Prayer, Then, are we Indebted for Penetrating to those Riches ...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 2 To prayer, then, are we indebted for
penetrating to those riches which are treasured up? To prayer ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 2 to prayer then.htm

Plato Indebted to the Prophets.
... Chapter XXVI."Plato indebted to the prophets. And let no one wonder that
Plato should believe Moses regarding the eternity of God. ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter xxvi plato indebted to the.htm

The Truth not Indebted to the Care of the Heretics; it had Free ...
... The Prescription Against Heretics. Chapter XXIX."The Truth Not Indebted to the
Care of the Heretics; It Had Free Course Before They Appeared. ...
/.../the prescription against heretics/chapter xxix the truth not indebted.htm

The Letters of the Popes as Sources of History.
... I am, therefore, indebted in this volume, first and chiefly, to the letters of the
Popes and the letters addressed to them by emperors and bishops, stored up ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/the letters of the popes.htm

Essay ii. Quod Me Non Movet Aestimatione: Verum Est Greek Text ...
... I was moved; because to this conversation I was indebted for the friendship and
confidence with which he afterwards honoured me, and because it recalled the ...
/.../coleridge/confessions of an inquiring spirit etc/essay ii quod me non.htm

Author's Preface
... To Mr. Albert Lutley, Superintendent of the China Inland Mission Work in the Province
of Shansi, I am indebted for help and kindnesses which I can acknowledge ...
/.../cable/the fulfilment of a dream of pastor hsis/authors preface.htm

Preface.
... In his Preface Mr. Newman stated with respect to the translation "that for almost
the whole of it the Editors were indebted to Mr. Church, Fellow of Oriel ...
//christianbookshelf.org/cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/preface.htm

James i. 18
... readers. To God alone were they indebted also for the dawning of the divine
light on them, and for the new life thereby imparted. ...
/.../neander/the epistle of james practically explained/james i 18.htm

God is under no Obligation to Confer this Grace Upon Any...
... God is under no obligation to confer this grace upon any; for how can He be indebted
to one who had no previous gifts to bestow as a foundation for such ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/various/the canons of dordt/article 15 god is under.htm

Benefits Should be Conferred on the Poor Rather than on the Rich.. ...
... on the poor rather than on the rich, for these latter either think a return is expected
from them, or else they are angry at seeming to be indebted for such an ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxv benefits should be.htm

Indebted (4 Occurrences)
... 3. (a.) Placed under obligation for something received, for which restitution or
gratitude is due; as, we are indebted to our parents for their care of us in ...
/i/indebted.htm - 8k

Owe (10 Occurrences)
... 2. (v.) To have or possess, as something derived or bestowed; to be obliged to ascribe
(something to some source); to be indebted or obliged for; as, he owed ...
/o/owe.htm - 10k

Zechariah (55 Occurrences)
... (3.) A prophet, who had "understanding in the seeing of God," in the time of Uzziah,
who was much indebted to him for his wise counsel (2 Chronicles 26:5). ...
/z/zechariah.htm - 70k

Ourselves (129 Occurrences)
... do for us;' (YLT). Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also
forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into ...
/o/ourselves.htm - 38k

Obligation (17 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an
act of favor or kindness; as, to place others under obligations to one. ...
/o/obligation.htm - 12k

Onesiphorus (2 Occurrences)
... It was to Paul that the church at Ephesus owed its origin, and it was to him therefore
that Onesiphorus and the Christians there were indebted for all that ...
/o/onesiphorus.htm - 11k

James (40 Occurrences)
... the New Testament. 1. Family Relations, etc.: To the Synoptists alone
are we indebted for any account of this James. He was the ...
/j/james.htm - 78k

Lads (20 Occurrences)
... of' the lads which 'are' of your circle? then ye have made my head indebted
to the king,' (YLT). Daniel 1:13 and our appearance is ...
/l/lads.htm - 12k

Introduced (7 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:2 So Paul was sent for, and Tertullus began to impeach him as follows:
"Indebted as we are," he said, "to you, most noble Felix, for the perfect peace ...
/i/introduced.htm - 8k

Indecency (2 Occurrences)

/i/indecency.htm - 7k

Should a Christian mortgage a home? | GotQuestions.org

How should a Christian respond to Hollywood? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John Calvin? | GotQuestions.org

Indebted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus