Romans 13:10

10 Love does not harm its neighbor. So love does everything the law requires.

Romans 13:10 Meaning and Commentary

Romans 13:10

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour
That is, the man that truly loves his neighbour, will contrive no ill against him, nor do any to him; he will not injure his person, nor defile his bed, nor deprive or defraud him of his substance; or do hurt to his character, bear false testimony against him, or covet with an evil covetousness anything that is his; but, on the contrary, will do him all the good he is capable of:

therefore love is the fulfilling of the law:
so far as a man loves his neighbour, he acts agreeably to the law, and the particular precepts of it above mentioned: what the apostle says of love to the neighbour, the Jews frequently say of love to God;

``he that loveth God (they say ^F4) (Nryma rve Myyqm) , "hath fulfilled the decalogue", both above and below.''

And again ^F5,

``there is no service like the love of God, R. Abba saith it is (atyyrwad allk) , "the sum of the law"; for the ten words of the law (wlylkta akh) , "are herein comprehended", or "fulfilled":''

and elsewhere ^F6 they observe,

``that (hbhab hlwlk hrwth lk) , "the whole law is comprehended", or fulfilled "in love".''

---

FOOTNOTES:

F4 Zohar in Deut. fol. 111. 3.
F5 Zohar in Deut. fol. 113. 1.
F6 Moses Kotsensis Mitzvot Tora, praecept. affirm. 3. prope finem.

Romans 13:10 In-Context

8 Pay everything you owe. But you can never pay back all the love you owe each other. Those who love others have done everything the law requires.

9 Here are some commandments to think about. "Do not commit adultery." "Do not commit murder." "Do not steal." "Do not want what belongs to others."(Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21) These and other commandments are all included in one rule. Here's what it is. "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."(Leviticus 19:18)

10 Love does not harm its neighbor. So love does everything the law requires.

11 When you do those things, keep in mind the times we are living in. The hour has come for you to wake up from your sleep. Our full salvation is closer now than it was when we first believed in Christ.

12 The dark night of evil is nearly over. The day of Christ's return is almost here. So let us get rid of the works of darkness. Let us put on the armor of light.