Romans 13:9
For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's fascinating how Paul lists specific prohibitions, like "You shall not commit adultery" and "You shall not murder," yet immediately declares they are all "summed up" in the positive command to "love your neighbor." This shows that the essence of obeying God's law isn't just about avoiding wrong actions, but about cultivating a heart that actively seeks the good of others.
Paul is reminding believers how their faith should shape their interactions with governing authorities, immediately after stating that authorities are God's servants for good. He then pivots to the broader principle of love, arguing that fulfilling the command to love your neighbor as yourself inherently satisfies all the moral commandments concerning how we treat others. This verse is crucial because it shows that love isn't just a nice sentiment but the very essence and completion of God's law regarding human relationships.
Ever feel overwhelmed by a long list of rules? Paul gives us the ultimate shortcut to understanding God's commands.
Paul here takes several specific commands – like 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not steal,' and 'You shall not covet' – and declares they are all summed up in one core principle: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'
A Powerful Recapitulation
The original Greek word used here, anakepalaioutai, means to 'sum up' or 'recapitulate.' It's like finding the main point of a long essay or the core theme of a complex story. Paul is saying that the essence of all these prohibitions, and indeed any other command related to how we treat others, is captured in this one directive of love.
It's Not Just About Not Doing Bad Things
This isn't just about avoiding bad actions; it's about the positive motive behind them. When you truly love your neighbor as yourself, you naturally wouldn't want to harm them through adultery, murder, theft, or coveting what they have. Love becomes the engine that drives obedience to all the relational laws.
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Why does Paul list the commandments in this specific, and perhaps unusual, order? It reveals something about how he's thinking about love.
You might notice that Paul doesn't list the commandments in the exact same order as they appear in Exodus or Deuteronomy. For instance, 'You shall not commit adultery' (the seventh commandment) comes before 'You shall not murder' (the sixth).
A Shift in Focus
Scholars point out that this order appears in some ancient copies of the Greek translation of the Old Testament (the Septuagint) and in other New Testament writings. While the exact reason for this specific arrangement isn't fully clear, it highlights that Paul isn't just reciting a list. He's selecting examples that powerfully illustrate the principle of neighborly love.
Love's Broad Scope
By bringing together commands that deal with relationships, sexuality, property, and desire, Paul shows that love is the foundational principle that governs all these areas. The specific order matters less than the overarching message: love is the key that unlocks the meaning of all these commands.
Understand the original words
entolē · Greek Noun
A moral instruction or divine rule given by God for the regulation of human conduct. It serves as an expression of God's holy character and a guide for living in covenant relationship with Him.
moicheuō · Greek Verb
The act of sexual intercourse between a married person and someone other than their spouse. It is a violation of the marriage covenant and God's design for sexual purity.
phoneuō · Greek Verb
The intentional and unlawful taking of human life. It is fundamentally against God's commandment because humanity is created in the image of God.
kleptō · Greek Verb
The act of taking someone else's property without authorization. It violates the biblical principle of stewardship and respect for the rights of others.
epithymeō · Greek Verb
A sinful, inordinate, and selfish desire for what belongs to another person. It is a matter of the heart that reveals discontentment with God’s provision.
plēsion · Greek Noun
Any person living near or encountered in daily life. In biblical teaching, the neighbor is to be the object of one’s active, sacrificial love, regardless of background or status.
This is the foundational Old Testament passage that Paul is quoting, showing that the command to love your neighbor as yourself is the core principle of Israel's law.
Matthew 22:39-40Jesus echoes Paul's summary here, highlighting that loving God and loving your neighbor are the two greatest commandments, just as Paul shows how all other commands find their essence in loving your neighbor.
Galatians 5:14Paul makes the same point in this letter, stating that the entire law is fulfilled in one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself,' reinforcing the idea that love is the animating principle of all righteous behavior.
James 2:8-11James connects obedience to the 'royal law' of loving your neighbor with fulfilling all the other commandments, demonstrating that true love naturally leads to respecting all of God's commands.
ellicottRomans 13:9: "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
(9) Thou shalt not commit adultery. —It will be seen that in this arrangement the seventh commandment precedes the sixth. The same arrangement is found in Mark 10:19 , Luke 18:20 , and James 2:11 . On the other…
vincentRomans 13:9: "For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
Thou shalt not commit adultery, etc.Omit thou shalt not bear false witness. The seventh commandment precedes the sixth, as in Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; James 2:11.It is briefly comprehended (ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται)Onl…
It's fascinating how Paul lists specific prohibitions, like "You shall not commit adultery" and "You shall not murder," yet immediately declares they are all "summed up" in the positive command to "love your neighbor." This shows that the essence of obeying God's law isn't just about avoiding wrong actions, but about cultivating a heart that actively seeks the good of others.
Paul is reminding believers how their faith should shape their interactions with governing authorities, immediately after stating that authorities are God's servants for good. He then pivots to the broader principle of love, arguing that fulfilling the command to love your neighbor as yourself inherently satisfies all the moral commandments concerning how we treat others. This verse is crucial because it shows that love isn't just a nice sentiment but the very essence and completion of God's law regarding human relationships.
Paul is reminding believers how their faith should shape their interactions with governing authorities, immediately after stating that authorities are God's servants for good. He then pivots to the broader principle of love, arguing that fulfilling the command to love your neighbor as yourself inherently satisfies all the moral commandments concerning how we treat others. This verse is crucial because it shows that love isn't just a nice sentiment but the very essence and completion of God's law regarding human relationships.
"For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,” and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”" — It's fascinating how Paul lists specific prohibitions, like "You shall not commit adultery" and "You shall not murder," yet immediately declares they are all "summed up" in the positive command to "l…
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