Paul's Meaning Of Obligation In Romans

The Greek term ὀφειλή (opheile) and its related words appear several times in Paul's Epistle to the Romans, conveying the concept of obligation or debt. Understanding Paul's meaning of obligation requires examining the term's usage and context within Romans and other Pauline writings.

Lexical Analysis

The term ὀφειλή is related to the verb ὀφείλω (opheilō), meaning "to owe" or "to be under obligation" ^[2]. In classical Greek, χρέος (chreos) is another term used to denote debt or obligation, often in a financial sense ^{[2, 4]}. Paul uses ὀφειλή and related terms to convey a sense of moral or spiritual obligation.

Contextual Analysis in Romans

In Romans 1:14, Paul states that he is "under obligation" (ὀφειλέτης, opheiletēs) to preach the Gospel to both Greeks and non-Greeks ^[1]. This sense of obligation is rooted in his apostolic calling and commission from God. Charles Hodge notes that Paul "magnified his office" and felt a strong sense of duty to fulfill his apostolic responsibilities ^[6].

In Romans 6:20, Paul writes that when people were slaves to sin, they were "free from the obligation to do right" (ἐλευθεροί ἦτε τῆς δικαιοσύνης, eleutheroi ēte tēs dikaiosynēs). Here, the Tyndale House commentary suggests that Paul means either that unbelievers feel no obligation to obey God or that they are unable to do so ^[5].

Theological Implications

Paul's concept of obligation is closely tied to his understanding of the Christian life and the relationship between believers and God. In Romans 13:8, he writes that those who love others have fulfilled the law, because "love does no harm to a neighbor" and is therefore "the fulfillment of the law" ^[1]. This suggests that the obligation to love others is a fundamental aspect of the Christian life.

John Calvin notes that Christians are bound to perform actions that are pleasing to God, and that faith is essential for ensuring that their actions are acceptable ^[7]. This highlights the importance of understanding one's obligations in light of their relationship with God.

Comparative Usage

The concept of obligation is not unique to Paul's writings in Romans. In other epistles, such as Philemon, Paul appeals to his authority and the obligations that arise from his relationship with Philemon and Onesimus ^[8]. In 2 Timothy 1:1, Paul describes himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus "by the will of God" (διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ), emphasizing his obligation to fulfill his apostolic duties ^[3].

Conclusion

Paul's meaning of obligation in Romans is multifaceted, encompassing both the sense of duty arising from his apostolic calling and the moral or spiritual obligations that believers have towards God and others. By examining the lexical and contextual aspects of the term ὀφειλή and related words, we gain a deeper understanding of Paul's theology and the implications for Christian living. The concept of obligation remains a crucial aspect of Pauline thought, highlighting the importance of faith, love, and responsibility in the Christian life ^{[1, 7]}.

Sources

Romans “Romans 1:1 (BBE) — Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, an Apostle by the selection of God, given authority as a preacher of the good news,”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G9756] χρέος — a debt (part 204/215): 3.746 ">Refs 8th c.BC+</a>]: especially of the obligation to restore or pay for 'lified' cattle and plunder, so the heralds of the Pylians summoned to share in booty all οἷσι χρεῖος ὀφείλετ᾽·.. πολέσιν γὰρ Ἐπειοὶ χρεῖος ὄφειλον (where [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" Scholia A, τὰ περιελασθέντα ἐκ τῆς Πύλου ὑπὸ τῶν Ἐπειῶν θρέμματα χρέως καλεῖ) 8th c.BC: Ilias Homerus Epicus “Illiad” 11.686, compare 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 3.367, 21.17 ">Refs 8th c.BC+</a>]; later simply, debt, αὐτὸς ἔτεισε.. χρέος [<a href="javascript”
MACULA Greek “2 Timothy 1:1 — Greek linguistic analysis (MACULA): Text: Παῦλος ἀπόστολος Χριστοῦ Ἰησοῦ διὰ θελήματος Θεοῦ κατ’ ἐπαγγελίαν ζωῆς τῆς ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ Word-by-word: Παῦλος = "Paul" [3972] N-NSM; ἀπόστολος = "an apostle" [652] N-NSM; Χριστοῦ = "of Christ" [5547] N-GSM; Ἰησοῦ = "Jesus" [2424] N-GSM; διὰ = "by" [1223] PREP; θελήματος = "[the] will" [2307] N-GSN; Θεοῦ = "of God" [2316] N-GSM; κατ’ = "according to" [2596] PREP; ἐπαγγελίαν = "[the] promise" [1860] N-ASF; ζωῆς = "of life" [2222] N-GSF; τῆς = "-" [3588] T-GSF; ἐν = "in" [1722] PREP; Χριστῷ = "Christ" [5547] N-DSM; Ἰησοῦ = "Jesus" [2424]”
STEPBible TBESG “[G9756] G9756 = (G9756) — 1. that which one needs must pay, an obligation, debt , (Odyssey by Homer); a debt for stolen cattle , (Iliad by Homer); χρεῖος ἀποστήσασθαι to pay a debt in full, (Iliad by Homer); ἀρᾶς τίνει χρ. pays the debt demanded by the curse, (Aeschulus Tragicus); χρέος πόλει προσάπτειν to attach a further debt , i.e. guilt to the city, (Sophocles Tragicus); χρέος ἀποδιδόναι to repay a debt , (Herdotus Historicus):—;in plural debts , χρειῶν λύσις (Hesiod); τὴν οὐσίαν ἅπασαν χρέα κατέλιπε left all the property <b”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 6:20: 6:20 free from the obligation to do right (literally free from righteousness): Paul means either that unbelievers feel no obligation to obey God or that they are unable to do so. But the freedom that they boast of actually makes them slaves to sin.”
CCEL (Reformed (Old Princeton)) “Charles Hodge, Systematic Theology, Vol. 3, section 87: 15 .) Paul magnified his office: he thanked God for giving him the grace to be the Apostle of the Gentiles. He said that he was under obligation to preach the Gospel both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, to the wise and to the unwise. He devotes no small portion of his Epistle to the Romans and the greater portion of the doctrinal part of that to the Ephesians, to setting forth the purpose of God to bring the Gentiles into his Church, and to make them equally with the Jews partakers of 803 the redemption of Christ. He teaches that the”
CCEL (Reformed) “John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, section 95: we are bound to perform things which God does not at all require of us, especially since our works can only 2489 be right when they please God, and have the testimony of our consciences that they do please him. For it always remains fixed, that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” ( Rom. 14:23 ). By this Paul means, that any work undertaken in doubt is vicious, because at the root of all good works lies faith, which assures us that they are acceptable to God. Therefore, if Christian men may not attempt anything without this assuranc”
Philemon (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Philemon 1:19: I Paul have written it, with mine own hand,.... Meaning either this epistle, which being short, he used no amanuensis, but wrote it all himself, and which might be taken as an engagement to do what he promised; or else a bill, a promissory note, written with his own hand, which he sent along with Onesimus, by which he laid himself under obligation to give Philemon full satisfaction in every thing, in which he had been injured by his servant; adding, I will repay it: this was not an ironical expression, nor a piece of vanity in the apostle; he spoke seriously, and ”

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