Romans 13 9

Romans 13:9 kjv

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.

Romans 13:9 nkjv

For the commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 13:9 niv

The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 13:9 esv

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."

Romans 13:9 nlt

For the commandments say, "You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet." These ? and other such commandments ? are summed up in this one commandment: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

Romans 13 verses

Romans 13 9 Meaning

Romans 13:9 explains that the foundational moral commandments concerning how we interact with others, such as refraining from adultery, murder, theft, and coveting, are all comprehensively fulfilled by the singular principle of loving one's neighbor as oneself. This demonstrates that genuine love, specifically agape love, is the underlying essence and ultimate expression of these specific laws, serving as the supreme moral guide for Christian conduct.

Romans 13 9 Context

Romans 13:9 sits within Paul's broader exhortation for practical Christian living, following his appeals for believers to live transformed lives dedicated to God in chapter 12. Chapter 13 specifically addresses Christians' responsibilities to governmental authorities (vv. 1-7) and then pivots to their duties towards one another (vv. 8-10). The call to "owe no one anything except to love each other" (v. 8) directly precedes verse 9, setting up love as the encompassing principle. Historically, early Christians faced unique social and political pressures within the Roman Empire. Paul emphasizes a conduct rooted in divine love, showing that honoring authorities and living morally are consistent with Christian ethics, ensuring believers act as responsible citizens while fulfilling the deeper spiritual command to love. The listing of specific commandments from the Decalogue grounds the abstract concept of love in tangible moral behavior recognizable by both Jewish and Gentile converts.

Romans 13 9 Word analysis

• For (γάρ - gar): This conjunction indicates a logical connection, explaining or elaborating on the preceding statement in Rom 13:8 that "he who loves another has fulfilled the law." It signals the rationale behind the claim.
• the commandments (αἱ ἐντολαί - hai entolai): Refers specifically to the moral precepts of the Mosaic Law, particularly the Ten Commandments. It emphasizes the specific, tangible expressions of God's will.
• You shall not commit adultery (οὐ μοιχεύσεις - ou moicheuseis): Directly from the seventh commandment (Exo 20:14; Deut 5:18). This guards the sanctity of marriage and sexual purity.
• You shall not murder (οὐ φονεύσεις - ou phoneuseis): From the sixth commandment (Exo 20:13; Deut 5:17). It protects human life, which is created in God's image.
• You shall not steal (οὐ κλέψεις - ou klepseis): From the eighth commandment (Exo 20:15; Deut 5:19). This upholds the right to property and honest dealing.
• You shall not covet (οὐκ ἐπιθυμήσεις - ouk epithymēseis): From the tenth commandment (Exo 20:17; Deut 5:21). This command uniquely targets the inward disposition of the heart, recognizing that sinful desires often precede sinful actions. It shows the comprehensive reach of love into thoughts and motivations.
• and if there is any other commandment (καὶ εἴ τις ἑτέρα ἐντολή - kai ei tis hetera entolē): This phrase acknowledges that Paul is not giving an exhaustive list of the Decalogue or other moral laws. It signals that the principle applies broadly to any specific instruction relating to one's neighbor, reinforcing the comprehensive nature of love. This implicitly includes commandments like "You shall not bear false witness."
• all are summed up (ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται - anakephalaioutai): This significant verb means to "recapitulate," "summarize," or "bring under a head." It implies that love is not just one law among many but the unifying principle that encompasses, governs, and gives meaning to all other neighbor-directed commandments. It indicates not abolition, but fulfillment and ultimate goal.
• in this one rule (ἐν τούτῳ τῷ λόγῳ - en toutō tō logō): "In this word" or "in this principle/statement." It points to the singular, unifying core idea that follows.
• You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Ἀγαπήσεις τὸν πλησίον σου ὡς σεαυτόν - Agapēseis ton plēsion sou hōs seauton): This is the foundational command from Lev 19:18, reaffirmed by Jesus (Matt 22:39). Agapēseis implies divine, self-sacrificing love (agape) rather than mere affection. "As yourself" sets the standard: just as one instinctively seeks one's own well-being, so should one actively seek the well-being of their neighbor.

Words-group analysis:

• "For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,'": Paul selects specific prohibitions from the second table of the Decalogue—those dealing with interpersonal conduct. His particular choice of "covet" is critical as it moves beyond external actions to the internal motives and desires, highlighting that love demands not just outward compliance but inward purity of intention. This selection emphasizes direct harm or offense against a neighbor's well-being.
• "and if there is any other commandment, all are summed up in this one rule:": This powerful transition indicates that Paul's list is illustrative, not exhaustive. The "summing up" (ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται) signifies that agape love is not simply a new or additional command, but rather the interpretive key and the fulfillment of all laws concerning human relationships. Love is the overarching 'head' under which all specific laws reside.
• "'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'": This quote, derived from the Old Testament (Lev 19:18) and affirmed by Jesus, encapsulates the entirety of interpersonal ethics. It defines the essence of right relationship—seeking the well-being of others with the same fervor one naturally applies to oneself. It shifts the focus from simply avoiding wrongdoing to actively pursuing goodness.

Romans 13 9 Bonus section

Paul's choice to quote these specific commandments without listing "You shall not bear false witness" or "Honor your father and mother" implies a direct focus on actions that directly harm the "neighbor" as an individual, rather than communal obligations or family structure, although these too fall under the broad principle of love. The inclusion of the Tenth Commandment, "You shall not covet," is profoundly significant because it uniquely penetrates the heart and its motivations. This commandment cannot be broken by a physical act but by an internal desire, reflecting a shift from external conformity to internal transformation. This prefigures Jesus' teaching that even angry thoughts or lustful glances are sins against the spirit of the Law, emphasizing that love demands purity of intention as much as action. Thus, agape love encompasses both what one does and what one desires, making it a truly comprehensive moral standard.

Romans 13 9 Commentary

Romans 13:9 is a pivotal verse in Paul's ethical teachings, elucidating how genuine love serves as the fulfillment of the Law. By listing several prohibitions from the Decalogue (adultery, murder, stealing, coveting), Paul demonstrates that these are specific applications of the overarching command to "love your neighbor as yourself." The deliberate inclusion of "covet" highlights that love extends beyond mere outward actions to govern internal desires, mirroring Jesus' teachings on the heart. The word "summed up" (ἀνακεφαλαιοῦται) suggests love is not simply a summary but the comprehensive, governing principle from which all neighbor-directed moral commands derive their purpose and by which they are properly interpreted and fulfilled. To love one's neighbor in a Christ-like manner means instinctively choosing not to harm them in their person, property, marriage, or even inner peace, and instead actively seeking their good. Thus, love becomes the dynamic, proactive outworking of the moral law, providing the motivation and means to live a life pleasing to God and beneficial to humanity.