The term "pays" does not appear directly in the Bible; however, the concept of payment, wages, and recompense is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. In biblical times, the idea of paying or being paid was closely tied to justice, fairness, and the fulfillment of obligations, both in human relationships and in one's relationship with God.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often translated as "wages" or "hire" is "sakar." The Law of Moses contains specific instructions regarding the payment of wages, emphasizing fairness and timeliness. For example, Leviticus 19:13 states, "You must not defraud your neighbor or rob him. You must not withhold until morning the wages due a hired hand." This command underscores the importance of integrity and justice in economic transactions.

The concept of payment also extends to divine recompense. In Deuteronomy 24:15 , it is written, "You are to pay his wages each day before sunset, because he is poor and depends on them. Otherwise, he may cry out to the LORD against you, and you will be guilty of sin." Here, the payment of wages is not only a social obligation but also a spiritual one, with implications for one's standing before God.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the Greek word "misthos" is often used to denote wages or reward. Jesus frequently used the concept of payment metaphorically to describe spiritual truths. In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Matthew 20:1-16), Jesus illustrates the kingdom of heaven by comparing it to a landowner who pays his workers the same wage regardless of the hours they worked. This parable challenges human notions of fairness and highlights God's grace and sovereignty in dispensing rewards.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the concept of wages in a spiritual context. In Romans 6:23 , he writes, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." Here, Paul contrasts the deserved payment for sin—death—with the unearned gift of eternal life through Christ, emphasizing the transformative power of grace.

Theological Implications

The biblical treatment of payment and wages reflects broader theological themes of justice, mercy, and grace. While human transactions are governed by principles of fairness and obligation, divine recompense often transcends these principles, offering grace and mercy beyond what is deserved. This is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles, where the ultimate "payment" for sin is borne by Christ, offering believers the hope of eternal life.

In summary, while the specific term "pays" is not found in the Bible, the underlying principles of payment, wages, and recompense are integral to biblical teaching, reflecting God's character and His expectations for human conduct.3406. misthapodotes -- one who pays wages
... one who pays wages. Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine Transliteration: misthapodotes
Phonetic Spelling: (mis-thap-od-ot'-ace) Short Definition: a rewarder ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3406.htm - 7k7999a. shalem -- to be complete or sound
... 2), make an end (2), make it good (2), make full restitution (1), make restitution
(9), over (1), paid (1), pay (19), pay back (1), paying (1), pays (1), pays ...
/hebrew/7999a.htm - 6k

7761. sum -- to set, make
... sum Definition to set, make NASB Word Usage appointed (1), disregarded* (1), gave
(1), issue (3), issued (11), laid (2), made (2), make (2), pays...attention (1 ...
/hebrew/7761.htm - 6k

7725. shub -- to turn back, return
... return (2), indeed turn away (1), keeps (2), make them return (1), make restitution
(1), paid (2), pass your again (1), pass away (1), pay (1), pays us back in ...
/hebrew/7725.htm - 9k

7181. qashab -- to incline (ears), attend
... 2), listening (1), listens (1), make your attentive (1), paid attention (3),
paid...attention (1), pay attention (6), pay...attention (1), pays attention (1). ...
/hebrew/7181.htm - 6k

238. azan -- to give ear, listen
... same as ozen Definition to give ear, listen NASB Word Usage give ear (24), give
heed (2), hear (3), listen (8), listened (1), listening (1), pays attention (1 ...
/hebrew/238.htm - 6k

Jesus Pays the Tribute Money.
... From the Third Passover Until Our Lord's Arrival at Bethany. (Time: One Year Less
One Week.) LXXII. Jesus Pays the Tribute Money. (Capernaum, Autumn, ad29) ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxii jesus pays the tribute.htm

Whether the Other Six Precepts of the Decalogue are Fittingly ...
... I answer that, Just as by the parts of justice a man pays that which is due to certain
definite persons, to whom he is bound for some special reason, so too by ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the other six precepts.htm

Whether Piety is a Gift?
... Reply to Objection 1: The piety that pays duty and worship to a father in the flesh
is a virtue: but the piety that is a gift pays this to God as Father. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether piety is a gift.htm

The Following Letter is Added as a Specimen, Out of a Very Large ...
... enjoyment, inasmuch as they are both alike enriched by the payment; which in the
case of money is an impossibility, for there the one who pays becomes poorer ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/the following letter is added.htm

Whether Observance is a Greater virtue than Piety?
... Therefore observance, whereby worship is paid to persons in positions of dignity,
is a greater virtue than piety, which pays worship to one's kindred. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether observance is a greater.htm

Whether Christ Paid Tithes in Abraham's Loins?
... For the fact that the father of a bishop pays tithes to a priest does not hinder
his son, the bishop, from being of higher rank than an ordinary priest. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ paid tithes in.htm

Human Soot
... We know well how, in some manufactures, a certain amount of waste is profitable"
that it pays better to let certain substances run to refuse, than to use ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxiii human soot.htm

The Best of Masters
... spent thy life to have a withered wreath for the world's payment of a life of mighty
genius and a flood of marvellous song!" Yes, when the world pays best she ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the best of masters.htm

Association
... He pays his tithes cheerfully, because he loves God's ministers, and feels
their use and worth to him. He pays his poor-rates with ...
/.../kingsley/twenty-five village sermons/sermon xx association.htm

Annie and Vanie's First Real Prayer
... pay you for bringing my child home?". "Oh, no," said he with tears, "God
pays me! God pays me! I would like to tell you something ...
/.../annie and vanies first real.htm

Pays (18 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pays (18 Occurrences). Romans 2:11 For God pays
no attention to this world's distinctions. (WEY). Romans ...
/p/pays.htm - 10k

Pool (25 Occurrences)
... in which each of the players stakes a certain sum, the winner taking the whole;
also, in public billiard rooms, a game in which the loser pays the entrance fee ...
/p/pool.htm - 40k

Attention (236 Occurrences)
... in this inlet. (WEY). Romans 2:11 For God pays no attention to this world's
distinctions. (WEY). Romans 2:26 In the same way if an ...
/a/attention.htm - 36k

Payments (7 Occurrences)

/p/payments.htm - 8k

Overlooked (10 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:26 In the same way if an uncircumcised man pays attention to the just
requirements of the Law, shall not his lack of circumcision be overlooked, and ...
/o/overlooked.htm - 9k

Observer (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) One who observes, or pays attention to, anything; especially, one engaged
in, or trained to habits of, close and exact observation; as, an astronomical ...
/o/observer.htm - 8k

Lack (86 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:26 In the same way if an uncircumcised man pays attention to the just
requirements of the Law, shall not his lack of circumcision be overlooked, and ...
/l/lack.htm - 33k

World's (21 Occurrences)
... as to render them inexcusable. (DBY). Romans 2:11 For God pays no attention
to this world's distinctions. (WEY). Romans 11:12 But ...
/w/world's.htm - 12k

Worshiper (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) One who worships; one who pays divine honors to
any being or thing; one who adores. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/w/worshiper.htm - 8k

Industry (5 Occurrences)
... any employment or pursuit, either bodily or mental; steady attention to business;
assiduity; -- opposed to sloth and idleness; as, industry pays debts, while ...
/i/industry.htm - 8k

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