Topical Encyclopedia The term "owest" is an archaic English word meaning "owe" or "are obligated to." It appears in the context of financial or moral obligation, often used in older translations of the Bible. In the Berean Standard Bible , the term is not directly used, but the concept of owing or debt is prevalent throughout Scripture, both in literal and metaphorical senses.Biblical Context 1. Financial Obligations: The Bible addresses the concept of owing money or goods in several passages. In the Old Testament, the Law given to Israel included regulations about lending and borrowing. For example, in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 , the Israelites were instructed to cancel debts every seven years, a practice known as the Year of Release: "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." 2. Moral and Spiritual Obligations: Beyond financial debts, the Bible speaks of moral and spiritual obligations. In Romans 13:8 , Paul writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Here, the concept of owing is expanded to include the perpetual obligation to love others, which is seen as a fulfillment of God's commandments. 3. Parables and Teachings of Jesus: Jesus often used the concept of debt in His parables to illustrate spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35), Jesus tells of a servant who, after being forgiven a great debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. This parable highlights the importance of forgiveness and the moral obligation to extend grace to others as we have received it from God. 4. The Lord's Prayer: 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). This petition underscores the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and the spiritual debt we owe to God, which is mirrored in our relationships with others. Theological Implications The concept of owing in the Bible is deeply tied to the themes of justice, mercy, and grace. Financial debts are regulated by laws that ensure fairness and compassion, reflecting God's character. Moral and spiritual debts, such as the obligation to love and forgive, are rooted in the transformative power of the Gospel. Believers are called to recognize their own forgiven status and to live out that reality by extending love and forgiveness to others. Practical Application Christians are encouraged to manage their financial obligations responsibly, reflecting integrity and stewardship. More importantly, they are called to live in a state of spiritual indebtedness to God, continually expressing gratitude through acts of love and forgiveness. This lifestyle not only honors God but also serves as a testimony to the transformative power of His grace in the believer's life. Library The Forgiveness of Sins. Philemon i. 17-19 The Law. The Prudent Steward. The Unrighteous Mammon Second Great Group of Parables. The Unjust Steward. And There came unto Him Publicans and Sinners to Hear his Word. .. ... The Christian --A Debtor Private Property and the Common Good Thesaurus Owest (4 Occurrences)...Owest (4 Occurrences). ... Luke 16:5 So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? ... /o/owest.htm - 7k Owing (7 Occurrences) Oweth (1 Occurrence) Owes (3 Occurrences) Laid (552 Occurrences) Fellow-servants (4 Occurrences) Fellowservants (4 Occurrences) Fellow-bondmen (4 Occurrences) Fourscore (33 Occurrences) Throttled (1 Occurrence) Resources Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible ThesuarusConcordance Owest (4 Occurrences)Matthew 18:28 Luke 16:5 Luke 16:7 Philemon 1:19 Subtopics Related Terms |