The term "obliged" in a biblical context often refers to a sense of duty or responsibility that arises from moral, legal, or spiritual commitments. In the Scriptures, this concept is frequently associated with the obligations of believers to God, to one another, and to the broader community.

Obligations to God

The primary obligation of believers is to God, as outlined in the greatest commandment. In Deuteronomy 6:5, the Israelites are instructed, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength." This command is reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament, emphasizing the believer's duty to love and serve God wholeheartedly (Matthew 22:37).

The obligation to obey God's commandments is a recurring theme throughout the Bible. In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This reflects the understanding that love for God naturally results in a commitment to follow His will and teachings.

Obligations to One Another

Believers are also obliged to love and serve one another. The second greatest commandment, as stated by Jesus, is "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). This obligation is further elaborated in the teachings of the apostles. In Galatians 6:2, Paul writes, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This highlights the responsibility of Christians to support and care for each other in practical ways.

The concept of mutual obligation is also evident in the early church, where believers shared their possessions and resources to ensure that no one was in need (Acts 4:32-35). This communal living was a demonstration of their commitment to one another and their understanding of being part of the body of Christ.

Obligations to the Broader Community

Beyond the community of believers, Christians are called to be a light to the world and to fulfill their obligations to society. In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus describes His followers as "the light of the world," urging them to let their light shine before others. This implies a duty to live in a way that reflects God's love and truth to those outside the faith.

The apostle Paul also addresses the obligation to live peaceably and honorably among non-believers. In Romans 12:18, he advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone." This instruction underscores the importance of maintaining a good testimony and being ambassadors for Christ in all interactions.

Legal and Social Obligations

The Bible also acknowledges the importance of fulfilling legal and social obligations. In Romans 13:1-7, Paul discusses the believer's duty to submit to governing authorities, recognizing that they are instituted by God. He writes, "Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due" (Romans 13:7). This passage highlights the responsibility of Christians to be law-abiding citizens and to respect the structures of authority established in society.

In summary, the concept of being "obliged" in the Bible encompasses a wide range of responsibilities that believers have towards God, each other, and the world. These obligations are rooted in love, obedience, and a desire to reflect God's character in all aspects of life.(imp. & p. p.) of Oblige.318. anagke -- necessity
... NASB Word Usage compulsion (3), constraint (1), distress (3), distresses (1), hardships
(1), inevitable (1), necessary (2), necessity (3), need (2), obliged* (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/318.htm - 7k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... Definition: I owe, ought. 3784 (a primitive verb, dictionary) -- to owe, be ,
ie obliged to rectify a debt ("ought"). 3784 ("owe") refers ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

2192. echo -- to have, hold
... 1), involves (1), keep (3), keeping (3), kept (1), maintain (1), maintained (1),
maintaining (1), meets (1), nearby (1), next (2), obliged* (1), obtain (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2192.htm - 11k

All Internal Livers Obliged to Attend to God's Inspirations. ...
... CHAPTER V. All internal livers obliged to attend to God's inspirations.? Sec. 1.
All internal livers obliged to attend to God's inspirations. Sec. ...
/.../chapter v all internal livers.htm

In 1638 Heermann's Health Became So Much Worse that He was Obliged ...
... In 1638 Heermann's health became so much worse that he was obliged to
relinquish his charge at K??ben altogether. In 1638 Heermann's ...
/.../winkworth/christian singers of germany/in 1638 heermanns health became.htm

God Has Everything to do with Prayer
... Men who belong to God are obliged to pray. They are not obliged to grow rich, nor
to make money. They are not obliged to have large success in business. ...
/.../bounds/the reality of prayer/iv god has everything to.htm

Christ's Need of us and Ours
... A King, and yet a pauper-King! A King claiming His dominion, and yet obliged
to borrow another man's colt in order that He might do it! ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/christs need of us and.htm

The Duty of Constant Communion JW
... That this is his command, appears from the words of the text, "Do this in remembrance
of me:" By which, as the Apostles were obliged to bless, break, and give ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 101 the duty of.htm

How a Secular Person May Make Use of These Instructions...
... Spirit shall have given an effectual call to seek God in these internal ways of
contemplation, yet so as that they do not find themselves obliged to forsake a ...
/.../chapter ii how a secular.htm

Of Scrupulosities About External Duties, as the Office, Fasting...
... And surely spiritual directors are obliged to allow as much latitude to well-minded
timorous souls in all these things as reason will possibly admit ...
/.../chapter x of scrupulosities about.htm

The Life of Mr. Alexander Moncrief.
... the king. Upon account of which his house was often searched, and rifled
by the English, and he obliged to hide himself. Upon the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr alexander 3.htm

Translator's Preface. In the Providence of God
... "I had scarce any time for writing except at night, for I was obliged to converse
all day, with the same absence of thought for self and an equal unconcern as ...
/.../guyon/song of songs of solomon/translators preface in the providence.htm

The Life of Mr. Hugh M'kail.
... After this, he was obliged to return home to his father's house, and, having lurked
there a-while, he spent other four years before his death in several other ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr hugh 2.htm

Obliged (4 Occurrences)
... (imp. & pp) of Oblige. Multi-Version Concordance Obliged (4 Occurrences). Luke
23:17 (Now he was obliged to release one for them at the feast.) (BBE YLT). ...
/o/obliged.htm - 7k

Antiochus
... He made a successful war on Ptolemy Philadelphus of Egypt, but was obliged to buy
peace in 250 by divorcing his wife, Laodice, and by marrying Ptolemy's ...
/a/antiochus.htm - 17k

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

Confusion (71 Occurrences)
... In order to see what they are doing Yahweh is obliged to "come down." He is obliged
to take action lest His dwelling-place be invaded (compare Genesis 3:22). ...
/c/confusion.htm - 39k

Quarantine (3 Occurrences)
... the term, originally of forty days, during which a ship arriving in port, and suspected
of being infected a malignant contagious disease, is obliged to forbear ...
/q/quarantine.htm - 8k

Kenosis
... between knowledge naturally possessed and knowledge gained by experience (ie although
the child Jesus knew the alphabet naturally, He was obliged to learn it ...
/k/kenosis.htm - 14k

Obedience (61 Occurrences)
... Early, however, the necessities of His mission as Son of God and institutor of the
new dispensation obliged Him frequently to display a judicial antagonism to ...
/o/obedience.htm - 43k

Oblige (1 Occurrence)

/o/oblige.htm - 7k

Obliging (2 Occurrences)

/o/obliging.htm - 7k

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