Obligations
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In the context of the Bible, obligations refer to the duties and responsibilities that individuals have towards God, others, and themselves. These obligations are rooted in the commandments and teachings found throughout Scripture, which guide believers in their conduct and relationships.

Obligations to God

The primary obligation of believers is to love and serve God with all their heart, soul, and strength. This is encapsulated in the Shema, a central declaration of faith in Judaism and Christianity: "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). This obligation is reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

Worship and obedience are also key obligations to God. Believers are called to worship God in spirit and truth (John 4:24) and to obey His commandments as a demonstration of their love for Him (John 14:15). The obligation to worship is not limited to formal religious practices but extends to living a life that honors God in all aspects.

Obligations to Others

The Bible places significant emphasis on the obligations individuals have towards others. The second greatest commandment, according to Jesus, is to "love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). This commandment underscores the importance of treating others with kindness, respect, and compassion.

Believers are also obligated to forgive others, as emphasized in the Lord's Prayer: "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness is a reflection of God's grace and mercy towards humanity and is a crucial aspect of Christian relationships.

The obligation to care for the needy is another important biblical principle. James 1:27 states, "Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world." This verse highlights the responsibility to support and provide for those who are vulnerable and in need.

Obligations to Self

While obligations to God and others are paramount, the Bible also acknowledges the importance of self-care and personal responsibility. Believers are called to live lives of integrity and holiness, as seen in 1 Peter 1:15-16 : "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'"

Additionally, the Bible encourages individuals to be good stewards of their bodies and resources. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds believers that their bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and should be treated with respect: "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body."

Obligations in Community and Society

The Bible also addresses obligations within the broader community and society. Believers are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9) and to live in harmony with others as much as possible (Romans 12:18). They are also instructed to respect and pray for those in authority (1 Timothy 2:1-2) and to fulfill their civic duties, such as paying taxes (Romans 13:6-7).

In summary, biblical obligations encompass a wide range of responsibilities that guide believers in their relationship with God, others, and themselves. These obligations are rooted in love, service, and obedience, reflecting the character and teachings of Jesus Christ.
Greek
1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate
... on a wax tablet). Thus 1813 () was used for obligations or entitlements
(extended benefits or liabilities).]. Word Origin from ek ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1813.htm - 7k
Strong's Hebrew
632. issar -- a bond, binding obligation
... Word Origin from asar Definition a bond, binding obligation NASB Word Usage binding
(1), binding obligation (1), obligation (6), obligations (3). binding, bond. ...
/hebrew/632.htm - 6k

1697. dabar -- speech, word
... 1), harm* (1), idea (1), instructed (1), instructions (2), manner (7), matter (45),
matters (2), message (18), nothing* (21), oath (1), obligations (1), one of ...
/hebrew/1697.htm - 8k

4931. mishmereth -- a guard, watch, charge, function
... 1), charge (27), duties (15), duty (2), guard post (2), guard* (1), guards (2),
keep (1), keep* (1), kept (5), obligation (4), obligations (4), offices (1 ...
/hebrew/4931.htm - 6k

Library

Homer's Obligations to the Sacred Writers.
... Chapter XXVIII."Homer's obligations to the sacred writers. And not only Plato,
but Homer also, having received similar enlightenment ...
/.../chapter xxviii homers obligations to the.htm

Though These Eternal Moral Obligations are Indeed of Themselves ...
... A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE UNCHANGEABLE OBLIGATIONS OF NATURAL RELIGION AND THE
TRUTH AND CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. II. Proposition II. ...
/.../ii proposition ii though these.htm

Though the Fore-Mentioned Eternal Moral Obligations
... A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE UNCHANGEABLE OBLIGATIONS OF NATURAL RELIGION AND THE
TRUTH AND CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. III. Proposition III. ...
/.../iii proposition iii though the.htm

Proposition Though the Necessity and Indispensableness of all the ...
... A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE UNCHANGEABLE OBLIGATIONS OF NATURAL RELIGION
AND THE TRUTH AND CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. ...
/.../v proposition v though the.htm

God's Faithfulness
... This leads to a double signification"(1) trustworthy, and that because (2) rigidly
observant of obligations. ... I. God as coming under obligations to us. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods faithfulness.htm

part 2
... The obligations of God's saints today are much greater than the obligations of the
saints in Old Testament times, because our privileges and our blessings are ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/tithing/part 2.htm

A Discourse Concerning the Being and Attributes of God
... A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE UNCHANGEABLE OBLIGATIONS OF NATURAL RELIGION AND THE
TRUTH AND CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. Introduction. THE PREFACE. ...
/.../clarke/a discourse concerning the being and attributes of god/

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
... for this command, "Owe no man anything, but to love one another." To me, clearly
and simply it means: Not as men, but as Christians, are we under obligations. ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/fourth sunday after epiphany.htm

Fences and Serpents
... There are the obligations which we owe, and the relations in which we stand, to
the outer world, the laws of physical life, and all that touches the external ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/fences and serpents.htm

First, the Practical Duties which the Christian Religion Enjoins,
... A DISCOURSE CONCERNING THE UNCHANGEABLE OBLIGATIONS OF NATURAL RELIGION
AND THE TRUTH AND CERTAINTY OF THE CHRISTIAN REVELATION. ...
/.../x proposition x first the.htm

Thesaurus
Obligations (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Obligations (10 Occurrences). Romans 1:14 I am
already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races ...
/o/obligations.htm - 9k

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

Redeemer (42 Occurrences)
... Throughout the Scriptures, therefore, we find implied often, if not always clearly
stated, the idea that God is under obligations to redeem His people. ...
/r/redeemer.htm - 45k

Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... 1. Double Aspect of Righteousness: Changing and Permanent 2. Social Customs and
Righteousness 3. Changing Conception of Character of God: Obligations of Power 4 ...
/r/righteousness.htm - 56k

Redemption (46 Occurrences)
... Throughout the Scriptures, therefore, we find implied often, if not always clearly
stated, the idea that God is under obligations to redeem His people. ...
/r/redemption.htm - 48k

Duties (46 Occurrences)
... you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life,
but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your ...
/d/duties.htm - 20k

Simon (75 Occurrences)
... (1) First Epistle. The theme of the First Epistle seems to be the living hope to
which the Christian has been begotten, and the obligations it lays upon him. ...
/s/simon.htm - 91k

Epistle (13 Occurrences)
... He simply insists to them that they are quite free from all obligations of the Law
because Christ, in whom they have been baptized (Colossians 2:12), has ...
/e/epistle.htm - 101k

Colossians (1 Occurrence)
... He simply insists to them that they are quite free from all obligations of the Law
because Christ, in whom they have been baptized (Colossians 2:12), has ...
/c/colossians.htm - 23k

Peter (181 Occurrences)
... (1) First Epistle. The theme of the First Epistle seems to be the living hope to
which the Christian has been begotten, and the obligations it lays upon him. ...
/p/peter.htm - 101k

Resources
What is neonomianism? | GotQuestions.org

What is escapism? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said, “Render to Caesar what is Caesar's”? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Obligations (10 Occurrences)

Romans 1:14
I am already under obligations alike to Greek-speaking races and to others, to cultured and to uncultured people:
(WEY)

2 Timothy 4:5
But as for you, you must exercise habitual self-control, and not live a self-indulgent life, but do the duty of an evangelist and fully discharge the obligations of your office.
(WEY)

Numbers 3:8
They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle.
(WEB NIV)

Numbers 8:26
but shall minister with their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to perform the duty, and shall do no service. You shall do thus to the Levites concerning their duties."
(See NAS)

Numbers 18:4
They shall be joined to you, and keep the responsibility of the Tent of Meeting, for all the service of the Tent: and a stranger shall not come near to you.
(See NAS)

Numbers 18:5
"You shall perform the duty of the sanctuary, and the duty of the altar; that there be wrath no more on the children of Israel.
(See NAS)

Numbers 30:5
But if her father disallow her in the day that he hears, none of her vows, or of her bonds with which she has bound her soul, shall stand: and Yahweh will forgive her, because her father disallowed her.
(See NAS)

Numbers 30:7
and her husband hear it, and hold his peace at her in the day that he hears it; then her vows shall stand, and her bonds with which she has bound her soul shall stand.
(See NAS)

Numbers 30:14
But if her husband altogether hold his peace at her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows, or all her bonds, which are on her: he has established them, because he held his peace at her in the day that he heard them.
(See NAS)

1 Kings 9:25
Three times a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar which he built to Yahweh, burning incense therewith, on the altar that was before Yahweh. So he finished the house.
(See NIV)

Subtopics

Obligations

Related Terms

Obliging (2 Occurrences)

Obligations (10 Occurrences)

Kindly (57 Occurrences)

Obliged (4 Occurrences)

Favour (171 Occurrences)

Tie (18 Occurrences)

Relieved (8 Occurrences)

Put (13688 Occurrences)

Bind (68 Occurrences)

Completed (109 Occurrences)

Compel (10 Occurrences)

Constrain (6 Occurrences)

Acquire (18 Occurrences)

Successor (10 Occurrences)

Elijah (104 Occurrences)

Obligation: Acknowledgment of
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