Romans 13:9-10
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Paul's listing of the commandments here is deliberately out of order compared to the traditional Ten Commandments. This isn't a mistake; it shows that love for your neighbor is the unifying principle behind all these laws, regardless of how they're arranged.
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.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is explaining how believers should interact with the governing authorities, urging them to obey the law and pay their taxes. Building on the idea that love for one another fulfills all other obligations, he then illustrates how the prohibitions against specific sins—like adultery, murder, theft, and coveting—are all encapsulated by the single command to love your neighbor as yourself. This shows that living out genuine love for others inherently means respecting all of God's commands related to how we treat people.
Ever wonder why Jesus called 'love your neighbor' the second greatest commandment? Paul makes it clear here: it's the key that unlocks all the others.
Paul doesn't just list a few rules; he shows us the heart of God's law. He pulls out some of the most direct prohibitions from the Ten Commandments – like 'You shall not murder' and 'You shall not steal' – and declares they are all captured by one central idea: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'
More Than Just Rules
Think about it: what's the root of murder? It's a complete lack of love or regard for your neighbor's life. What's the root of stealing? It's valuing your own gain over your neighbor's right to their property. Even coveting, wanting what someone else has, stems from a self-centeredness that doesn't honor your neighbor's blessings or boundaries.
Paul is showing us that God's law isn't just a list of 'don'ts.' It's a blueprint for life, designed to foster healthy, respectful relationships. When we truly love others as we love ourselves, we naturally wouldn't do anything that harms them.
Why does Paul list the commandments in this specific order? It might seem random, but it reveals something important about how these commands function.
You might notice that Paul lists 'You shall not commit adultery' before 'You shall not murder.' This isn't the typical order we see in Exodus or Deuteronomy. This particular arrangement (adultery before murder, and sometimes omitting 'false witness') appears in other New Testament passages and ancient Greek translations of the Old Testament.
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A Focus on Relationships
This subtle shift in order isn't accidental. It highlights that these prohibitions are fundamentally about protecting the integrity of our relationships – first, with our spouses and families, and then with others in our community. It emphasizes that how we treat people, how we respect their lives, their property, and their relationships, is central to living out God's law.
This order also underscores that love for our neighbor involves honoring boundaries and respecting their well-being in every sphere.
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.
kakon · Greek Noun/Adjective
Doing harm, injury, or injustice to another. Within the framework of love, it describes actions that are contrary to the moral character of God.
This is the direct Old Testament source Paul is quoting, showing the ancient roots of loving your neighbor as the core of obeying God's commands towards others.
Matthew 22:39-40Jesus himself echoes this same principle, calling love of neighbor the second greatest commandment and the foundation for all others regarding human interaction.
Galatians 5:14Paul reiterates here that the entire Law, concerning our relationships with others, is completely fulfilled by acting in love, reinforcing the point made in Romans.
James 2:8-11James also connects obeying the 'royal law' of loving your neighbor to fulfilling all the commandments, highlighting that a lack of love inherently breaks God's law.
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…
Paul's listing of the commandments here is deliberately out of order compared to the traditional Ten Commandments. This isn't a mistake; it shows that love for your neighbor is the unifying principle behind all these laws, regardless of how they're arranged.
Paul is explaining how believers should interact with the governing authorities, urging them to obey the law and pay their taxes. Building on the idea that love for one another fulfills all other obligations, he then illustrates how the prohibitions against specific sins—like adultery, murder, theft, and coveting—are all encapsulated by the single command to love your neighbor as yourself. This shows that living out genuine love for others inherently means respecting all of God's commands related to how we treat people.
Paul is explaining how believers should interact with the governing authorities, urging them to obey the law and pay their taxes. Building on the idea that love for one another fulfills all other obligations, he then illustrates how the prohibitions against specific sins—like adultery, murder, theft, and coveting—are all encapsulated by the single command to love your neighbor as yourself. This shows that living out genuine love for others inherently means respecting all of God's commands related to how we treat people.
"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.” Love does no wrong to…" — Paul's listing of the commandments here is deliberately out of order compared to the traditional Ten Commandments. This isn't a mistake; it shows that love for your neighbor is the unifying principle…
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Last reviewed October 2026
