1 1 Grant R. Osborne, Romans, The IVP New Testament

Romans 13:8-10

For the week of February 18, 2024

Reflection

1. What were some of the takeaways, for you, from Sunday’s sermon?

2. Were there questions, comments, concerns…?

Love as the Fulfilling of the Law (13:8–10) Paul introduces this section by repeating the idea that

began verse 7, Let no debt remain outstanding. Christians are to pay their debts in full. But Paul

then introduces the only debt that can never be paid: love one another. In so doing he returns to

the theme of 12:9–21, love. When we love one another, we give of ourselves so thoroughly that

we come under debt to each other. And as long as love governs the relationship, the so-called

debt continues. In other words, we say, “I owe you my very life,” to the one we love. As for the

question of whether the object of this love is believers or unbelievers, it is probably both,

following the injunction of Galatians 6:10, “Do good to all people, especially to those who

belong to the family of believers.”

Observation (vs. 8)

3. What is Paul saying in this verse?

Interpretation

4. How does this verse continue the command to be a “living sacrifice” in Romans 12:1?

5. Why are believers commanded to love? (see also Matt 22:36; John 13:34-35; Col 3:14)

Grant R. Osborne, Romans, The IVP New Testament Commentary Series (Downers Grove, IL:

InterVarsity Press, 2004), 348–349.

Application

6. Do you love others as Christ loves you? Why or why not?

Observation (vs. 9)

7. What is Paul saying to the Roman church in this verse?

Interpretation

8. How are these commandments summed up in “you shall love your neighbor as yourself”?

Application

9. What does loving your neighbor as yourself mean to you personally?

Observation (vs. 10)

10. What is Paul’s meaning in this verse?

Interpretation

11. How does this verse compare with verse 8?

Application

12. Are you able to love others outside of Christ’s power? Why or why not? (see also John 15:5;

Gal 5:22-23; 1 John 4:7-8)