Albert Barnes Commentary Romans 13:8

"Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law." — Romans 13:8 (ASV)

Owe no man any thing. Do not be in debt to anyone. In the previous verse, the apostle had been discussing the duty which we owe to magistrates; he had particularly enjoined Christians to pay them their just dues. From this command to fully discharge this obligation, the transition was natural to the subject of debts in general, and to an injunction not to be indebted to anyone. This law is enjoined here for the following reasons:

1. Because it is a part of our duty as good citizens; and
2. Because it is a part of that law which teaches us to love our neighbor, and to do no injury to him (Romans 13:10). The interpretation of this command is to be understood with this limitation: that we are not to be indebted to him so as to injure him or to work ill to him.

This rule, together with the other rules of Christianity, would offer a remedy for all the evils of bad debts in the following manner:

1. It would teach people to be industrious, and this would commonly prevent the necessity of contracting debts.
2. It would make them frugal, economical, and humble in their views and manner of life.
3. It would teach them to bring up their families in habits of industry. The Bible often enjoins this (Proverbs 24:30–34; 1 Thessalonians 4:11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10; Ephesians 4:28).
4. Religion would produce sober, chastened views of the end of life and of the great design of living, and would turn affections away from the splendor, gaiety, and extravagances which often lead to contracting debts (1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8; 1 Peter 1:13; 1 Peter 4:7; Titus 2:12; 1 Peter 3:3, 5; 1 Timothy 2:9).
5. Religion would put an end to the vices and unlawful desires which now prompt people to contract debts.
6. It would make them honest in paying them. It would make them conscientious, prompt, friends of truth, and disposed to keep their promises.

But to love one another. Love is a debt which can never be discharged. We should feel that we owe this to all men; and though by acts of kindness we may be constantly discharging it, yet we should feel that it can never be fully met while there is opportunity to do good.

For he that loveth, etc. In what way this is done is stated in Romans 13:10. The law in relation to our neighbor is there said to be simply that we do no ill to him. Love to him would lead to no injury. It would seek to do him good and would thus fulfill all the purposes of justice and truth which we owe to him. To illustrate this, the apostle, in the next verse, reviews the laws of the Ten Commandments in relation to our neighbor and shows that all those laws proceed on the principle that we are to love him, and that love would lead to them all.