The concept of owing, particularly in the context of debts and obligations, is addressed in various passages throughout the Bible. The term "owes" often relates to financial debts, moral obligations, or spiritual duties. The Bible provides guidance on how believers should handle these responsibilities, emphasizing principles of integrity, fairness, and love.

Financial Debts:

The Bible acknowledges the reality of financial debts and provides instructions on how they should be managed. In Romans 13:8 , the Apostle Paul advises, "Owe no one anything, except to love one another, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This verse underscores the importance of love as a perpetual obligation, while also suggesting that believers should strive to live free from financial debt whenever possible.

In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law includes provisions for the fair treatment of debtors. Deuteronomy 15:1-2 states, "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel the loan he has made to his fellow Israelite. He shall not require payment from his fellow Israelite or brother, because the LORD’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." This practice, known as the Year of Release, reflects God's concern for economic justice and compassion.

Moral and Spiritual Obligations:

Beyond financial debts, the Bible speaks to moral and spiritual obligations that individuals owe to God and others. In Matthew 6:12 , part of the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." Here, the term "debts" is understood to mean sins or transgressions, highlighting the reciprocal nature of forgiveness.

The parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18:23-35 further illustrates the importance of forgiving others as God forgives us. The servant, who owes a great debt to his master, is forgiven, yet he refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him a much smaller amount. This parable emphasizes the expectation that believers extend the same grace and mercy they have received from God.

Interpersonal Relationships:

In interpersonal relationships, the concept of owing is often linked to the idea of mutual respect and love. Romans 13:7 instructs, "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." This verse highlights the importance of fulfilling obligations in various aspects of life, whether they be civic duties or personal interactions.

The Bible also addresses the issue of lending and borrowing among believers. In Psalm 37:21 , it is written, "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and giving." This verse contrasts the behavior of the wicked with that of the righteous, emphasizing the expectation that believers should be trustworthy and generous.

Summary:

The biblical perspective on owing encompasses financial, moral, and spiritual dimensions. Believers are encouraged to manage their financial obligations responsibly, to forgive others as they have been forgiven, and to fulfill their duties in relationships with integrity and love. Through these teachings, the Bible provides a framework for understanding and living out the concept of owing in a way that honors God and reflects His character.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

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

Whatever Is, Owes Its Being to God.
... Book VII. Chapter XV."Whatever Is, Owes Its Being to God. 21. And I looked
back on other things, and I perceived that it was to ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/chapter xv whatever is owes its.htm

The Revelation to which the Scripture of the Old Testament Owes ...
... Fourth Chapter. THE HOLY SCRIPTURE OF THE OLD TESTAMENT. XIV. The Revelation to
Which the Scripture of the Old Testament Owes Its Existence. "O Lord, . . . ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xiv the revelation to which.htm

Whether the Innocent is More Bound to Give Thanks to God than the ...
... penitent. Objection 2: Further, a man owes love to his benefactor just
as he owes him gratitude. Now Augustine says (Confess. ii ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the innocent is more.htm

Whether a Man is Bound to Give Thanks to Every Benefactor?
... And, as stated above with regard to a father ([3186]Q[31], A[3];[3187] Q[101],
A[2]), a man owes his benefactor, as such, honor and reverence, since the latter ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man is bound 6.htm

Whether a Man is Bound to Accuse?
... vi, qu.1]: wherefore it is written (Rom.13:8): "Owe no man anything, but to love
one another." Now that which belongs to charity is a duty that man owes to all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a man is bound 3.htm

Whether Fraternal Correction is a Matter of Precept?
... Now when a man owes anyone a material due, such as the payment of a sum of money,
he must not be content that his creditor come to him, but he should seek him ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether fraternal correction is a.htm

The Two Debtors
... other of which we all belong. They are both debtors, though one owes but
a tenth of what the other does. That is to say, our Lord ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture e/the two debtors.htm

Chapter viii.
... apostle, "must not go to law." [306] And therefore to him who shall be unwilling,
either spontaneously or when requested, to pay the money which he owes, it is ...
/.../augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter viii 2.htm

Introductory Dissertation.
... The Syriac language, in the hands of those to whom the Syriac Church owes the admirable
version of the Scriptures known as the "Peshitto," proved itself ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/introductory dissertation.htm

Whether a Man Can Merit Anything from God
... We proceed to the first article thus: 1. It seems that a man cannot merit anything
from God. No one merits a reward by repaying what he owes to another. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/nature and grace/article one whether a man 2.htm

Owes (3 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Owes (3 Occurrences). Romans 11:36 For the universe owes
its origin to Him, was created by Him, and has its aim and purpose in Him. ...
/o/owes.htm - 7k

Owe (10 Occurrences)
... to restore, pay, or render (something) in return or compensation for something received;
to be indebted in the sum of; as, the subject owes allegiance; the ...
/o/owe.htm - 10k

Owed (10 Occurrences)

/o/owed.htm - 9k

Aqueduct (4 Occurrences)
... to the bottom. The accumulation often found in ancient cisterns probably
owes some of its presence to this same habit. 2. Wells ...
/a/aqueduct.htm - 23k

Cistern (21 Occurrences)
... to the bottom. The accumulation often found in ancient cisterns probably
owes some of its presence to this same habit. 2. Wells ...
/c/cistern.htm - 29k

Well (2882 Occurrences)
... to the bottom. The accumulation often found in ancient cisterns probably
owes some of its presence to this same habit. 2. Wells ...
/w/well.htm - 39k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... to the bottom. The accumulation often found in ancient cisterns probably
owes some of its presence to this same habit. 2. Wells ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Universe (19 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Romans 11:36 For the universe owes its origin to Him, was created by Him,
and has its aim and purpose in Him. To Him be the glory throughout the Ages! ...
/u/universe.htm - 12k

Origin (25 Occurrences)
... nothing. (WEY DBY NIV). Romans 11:36 For the universe owes its origin to Him,
was created by Him, and has its aim and purpose in Him. To ...
/o/origin.htm - 13k

Owest (4 Occurrences)

/o/owest.htm - 7k

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