In biblical terms, the concept of a borrower is closely tied to the principles of lending, debt, and financial responsibility. The Bible provides guidance on the ethical and moral considerations surrounding borrowing and lending, emphasizing the importance of integrity, fairness, and compassion.

Old Testament Context

The Old Testament contains several references to borrowing and lending, often within the context of the Mosaic Law. Borrowing was a common practice in ancient Israel, and the Law provided specific instructions to ensure that it was conducted justly. In Exodus 22:25, the Israelites are instructed, "If you lend money to one of My people among you who is poor, you must not be like a moneylender to him; you must not charge him interest." This command underscores the importance of compassion and fairness, particularly towards the poor and vulnerable.

Deuteronomy 15:7-8 further emphasizes generosity and open-handedness: "If there is a poor man among your brothers within any of the gates in the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. Instead, you are to open your hand to him and freely loan him whatever he needs." This passage highlights the expectation that lending should be an act of kindness and support, rather than an opportunity for exploitation.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Old Testament also addresses the topic of borrowing. Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." This proverb serves as a cautionary note about the potential consequences of borrowing, warning that debt can lead to a loss of freedom and autonomy. It encourages individuals to be prudent and cautious in their financial dealings.

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to reflect on the principles of borrowing and lending. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, instructs His followers in Matthew 5:42, "Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you." This teaching reinforces the call to generosity and willingness to help those in need, reflecting the heart of Christian charity.

The apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, provides further guidance on financial obligations. Romans 13:8 advises, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." This verse suggests that while financial debts should be avoided, the debt of love and mutual care is perpetual and paramount.

Ethical Considerations

From a biblical perspective, the ethical considerations surrounding borrowing are deeply rooted in the principles of justice, mercy, and love. Borrowers are encouraged to act with integrity, ensuring that they fulfill their obligations and repay their debts. Lenders, on the other hand, are called to act with compassion and fairness, avoiding exploitation and usury.

The Bible's teachings on borrowing and lending serve as a reminder of the broader spiritual and moral responsibilities that accompany financial transactions. They encourage believers to prioritize relationships, community well-being, and the pursuit of righteousness in all aspects of life.(n.) One who borrows.3867b. lavah -- to borrow
... root Definition to borrow NASB Word Usage borrow (1), borrowed (1), borrower becomes
the lender's (1), borrows (1), lend (4), lender like the borrower (1 ...
/hebrew/3867b.htm - 5k

3867. lavah -- to join, be joined
... lavah. 3867a . to join, be joined. Transliteration: lavah Phonetic Spelling:
(law-vaw') Short Definition: with. abide with, borrower, cleave, join self, lender ...
/hebrew/3867.htm - 5k

Whether it is Lawful to Ask for any Other Kind of Consideration ...
... Reply to Objection 1: A lender may without sin enter an agreement with the borrower
for compensation for the loss he incurs of something he ought to have, for ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 16.htm

The Fountain of Grace.
... They give what they call three days' grace after the sixty or ninety days have expired;
but they will make the borrower pay interest on the money during these ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/sovereign grace/chapter i the fountain of.htm

Whether it is Lawful for Religious to Live on Alms?
... blind the wise, and pervert the words of the just," and (Prov.22:7): "The borrower
is servant to him that lendeth." This is contrary to religion, wherefore a ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 15.htm

Whether it is Lawful to Borrow Money under a Condition of Usury?
... under a condition of usury: yet it is lawful to borrow for usury from a man who
is ready to do so and is a usurer by profession; provided the borrower have a ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful to 17.htm

Whether the Judicial Precepts were Suitably Framed as to the ...
... it is the year of remission of the Lord"; and (Ex.22:15) it is stated that if a
borrowed animal should die while the owner is present, the borrower is not ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the judicial precepts were 3.htm

Exegetic.
... he risks the loan. The borrower bends to necessity and is beaten. The
lender goes off secured by bills and bonds. "After he has ...
//christianbookshelf.org/basil/basil letters and select works/ii exegetic.htm

The Eighth Commandment
... (8) The borrower, who borrows money from others, with an intention never to pay
them again. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again.' Psalm 37:21. ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 8 the eighth commandment.htm

The Second Part.
... to forgo them: If Jezebel proclaime a Fast, let Naboth looke to his vine-yard; If
the Usurer & Trades-man frequent Sermons, let the buyer & borrower look to ...
/.../ward/a coal from the altar to kindle the holy fire of zeale/the second part.htm

The Figurative Language of Scripture.
... with the scope of the passage and his teachings elsewhere, that we should stultify
ourselves by literally giving to every asker and borrower, without regard to ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxv the figurative language.htm

Chapter xx.
... Or if it does not seem good to understand the borrower in any other sense than of
him who accepts of anything with the intention of repaying it, we must ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/our lords sermon on the mount/chapter xx.htm

Borrower (3 Occurrences)
... (n.) One who borrows. Multi-Version Concordance Borrower (3 Occurrences). ... Proverbs
22:7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant to the lender. ...
/b/borrower.htm - 7k

Loan (9 Occurrences)
... 27:13; Jeremiah 15:10). Limitations are prescribed by the law to the taking
of a pledge from the borrower. The outer garment in ...
/l/loan.htm - 16k

Lender (4 Occurrences)
... YLT). Proverbs 22:7 The rich rule over the poor. The borrower is servant
to the lender. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/l/lender.htm - 7k

Pledge (55 Occurrences)
... Lowest in the scale was the creditor who took the garment the borrower was wearing
(Amos 2:8 Job 22:6; Job 24:9 margin), and special legislation controlled ...
/p/pledge.htm - 28k

Usury (17 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The practice of lending money at an excessive rate of interest. 2. (vt)
Interest in excess of a legal rate charged to a borrower for the use of money. ...
/u/usury.htm - 15k

Lender's (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Lender's (1 Occurrence). Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth
over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender. (See NAS). ...
/l/lender's.htm - 6k

Interest (35 Occurrences)
... 22:12). Isaiah 24:2 implies that it was a business in that age, the lender
and borrower being social types. Jeremiah implies that ...
/i/interest.htm - 21k

Ruleth (21 Occurrences)
... inheritance. (YLT). Proverbs 22:7 The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower
is servant to the lender. (KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT). ...
/r/ruleth.htm - 12k

Borroweth (1 Occurrence)

/b/borroweth.htm - 6k

Borrowing (1 Occurrence)
... poverty. To the borrower they were esteemed a form of misfortune (Deuteronomy
28:12 f), and by the lender a form of beneficence. ...
/b/borrowing.htm - 52k

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