The concept of "owed" in the Bible primarily relates to the principles of debt, obligation, and the moral and ethical responsibilities that arise from these. The Bible addresses the idea of owing in both financial and relational contexts, emphasizing the importance of integrity, fairness, and love in fulfilling one's obligations.

Financial Obligations

In the Old Testament, the Mosaic Law provided guidelines for lending and borrowing, underscoring the importance of compassion and fairness. For instance, in Deuteronomy 15:1-2 , it is written: "At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts. This is how it is to be done: Every creditor shall cancel any loan they have made to a fellow Israelite. They shall not require payment from anyone among their own people, because the Lord’s time for canceling debts has been proclaimed." This passage highlights the principle of debt forgiveness, reflecting God's desire for economic justice and mercy among His people.

The Proverbs also offer wisdom on the subject of debt. Proverbs 22:7 states, "The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender." This verse warns of the potential bondage that comes with financial debt, urging individuals to exercise caution and prudence in their financial dealings.

Relational and Moral Obligations

Beyond financial matters, the Bible speaks to the broader concept of owing in terms of love and moral duty. In Romans 13:8 , the Apostle Paul writes, "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law." Here, Paul emphasizes that the only perpetual debt Christians should carry is the obligation to love one another, which fulfills the law's requirements.

The relational aspect of owing is further illustrated in the teachings of Jesus. In the Lord's Prayer, found in Matthew 6:12 , Jesus instructs His followers to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." This petition underscores the reciprocal nature of forgiveness and the moral responsibility to release others from their transgressions, just as God forgives our own.

Ethical Considerations

The Bible also addresses the ethical dimensions of owing, particularly in the context of honesty and integrity. Psalm 37:21 states, "The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous are gracious and give." This verse contrasts the behavior of the wicked with that of the righteous, highlighting the expectation that those who follow God will honor their commitments and act generously.

In the New Testament, Jesus' parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:23-35) further illustrates the ethical implications of owing. The parable tells of a servant who, after being forgiven a great debt by his master, refuses to forgive a fellow servant's smaller debt. This account serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of mercy and the expectation that those who have received grace should extend it to others.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of "owed" encompasses a range of financial, relational, and ethical obligations. Through its teachings, the Bible calls believers to act with integrity, fairness, and love, fulfilling their duties to God and others in a manner that reflects His character and commands.(imp. & p. p.) of Owe.3783. opheilema -- that which is owed, a debt
... that which is owed, a debt. Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter Transliteration: opheilema
Phonetic Spelling: (of-i'-lay-mah) Short Definition: a debt, offense, sin ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3783.htm - 6k

3781. opheiletes -- a debtor
... Word Origin from opheilo Definition a debtor NASB Word Usage culprits (1),
debtors (1), indebted (1), owed (1), under obligation (3). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3781.htm - 7k

3782. opheile -- a debt
... Cognate: 3782 (a feminine noun) -- a (applied) kind of indebtedness, implying an
"applied obligation" due to the debt (what is owed). See 3781 (). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3782.htm - 6k

3784. opheilo -- to owe
... word Definition to owe NASB Word Usage had (1), have (1), indebted (2), must (1),
obligated (3), ought (15), owe (4), owed (4), owes (1), responsible (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

2706. choq -- something prescribed or owed, a statute
... 2705, 2706. choq. 2707 . something prescribed or owed, a statute. Transliteration:
choq Phonetic Spelling: (khoke) Short Definition: statutes. ...
/hebrew/2706.htm - 6k

The Man who Owed Many Talents.
... Book XIV. 10. The Man Who Owed Many Talents. Next we must speak in regard
to this, "And when he had begun to reckon, there was brought ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/10 the man who owed.htm

The Servant who Owed a Hundred Pence.
... Book XIV. 11. The Servant Who Owed a Hundred Pence. Only, though he cannot
pay the talents, for he has lost them, he has a wife ...
/.../origen/origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/11 the servant who owed.htm

The Great Debt She Owed to Our Lord for his Mercy to Her. She ...
... Chapter VI. The Great Debt She Owed to Our Lord for His Mercy to Her. She
Takes St. Joseph for Her Patron. 1. After those four days ...
/.../teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/chapter vi the great debt.htm

Forasmuch Then as the Letter Owed Its Origin to a False Story, and ...
... Forasmuch then as the letter owed its origin to a false story, and contained no
order that I should come to you, I concluded that it was not the wish of your ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/21 forasmuch then as the.htm

Concerning the King who Made a Reckoning with his Own Servants, to ...
... Book XIV. 6. Concerning the King Who Made a Reckoning with His Own Servants,
to Whom Was Brought a Man Who Owed Ten Thousand Talents. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/6 concerning the king who.htm

And I Looked Back on Other Things; and I Saw that they Owed their ...
... Book VII Chapter XV And I looked back on other things; and I saw that
they owed their being? And I looked back on other things ...
/.../augustine/the confessions of saint augustine/chapter xv and i looked.htm

The Unjust Steward
... All we know is that one believed that he owed the Lord a hundred measures of oil;
and another believed that he owed him a hundred measures of wheat; and that ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xlii the unjust steward.htm

Whether Justice and Mercy are Present in all God's Works
... The reason why they are bound to be present is that divine justice renders
either what is owed to God, or what is owed to a creature. ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article four whether justice and.htm

Whether a Human Action is Meritorious or Demeritorious in So Far ...
... anyone does good or evil to another individual, there is a twofold measure of merit
or demerit in his action: first, in respect of the retribution owed to him ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether a human action is 4.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xvii. 21, "How Oft Shall My ...
... full of terror: That the "kingdom of heaven is like unto an householder, which took
account with his servants; among whom he found one that owed ten thousand ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxxiii on the words.htm

Owed (10 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Owed (10 Occurrences). Matthew 18:24 When he had begun
to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. ...
/o/owed.htm - 9k

Owe (10 Occurrences)
... have or possess, as something derived or bestowed; to be obliged to ascribe (something
to some source); to be indebted or obliged for; as, he owed his wealth ...
/o/owe.htm - 10k

Debt (48 Occurrences)
... another, whether money, goods, or services; that which one person is bound to pay
to another, or to perform for his benefit; thing owed; obligation; liability. ...
/d/debt.htm - 28k

Denarii (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 "But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants,
who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat ...
/d/denarii.htm - 8k

Due (93 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Owed, as a debt; that ought to be paid
or done to or for another; payable; owing and demandable. ...
/d/due.htm - 35k

Pay (212 Occurrences)
... by giving or doing what is due or required; to deliver the amount or value of to
the person to whom it is owing; to discharge a debt by delivering (money owed...
/p/pay.htm - 37k

Pence (8 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants,
which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by ...
/p/pence.htm - 9k

Shillings (7 Occurrences)
... Matthew 18:28 But no sooner had that servant gone out, than he met with one of his
fellow servants who owed him 100 shillings; and seizing him by the throat ...
/s/shillings.htm - 8k

Dominion (72 Occurrences)
... I saw resembled a leopard, and had feet like the feet of a bear, and his mouth was
like the mouth of a lion; and it was to the Dragon that he owed his power ...
/d/dominion.htm - 30k

Render (95 Occurrences)
... honour. (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS). Romans 15:27 Yes, they have kindly done
this, and, in fact, it was a debt they owed them. For ...
/r/render.htm - 36k

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Owed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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