Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Romans 13:10

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law." — Romans 13:10 (ASV)

“Love does no harm to its neighbor.” This is an understatement, for love does positive good. But the negative form is suitable here, because it is intended to fit in with the prohibitions from the law (v.9). By concluding with the observation that love is the fulfillment of the law, Paul returns to the same thought he began with (v.8).

What, then, is the relationship between love and law? In Christ the two concepts that seem to have so little in common come together. To love others with the love that Christ exhibited is his new commandment . And if this love is present, it will make possible the keeping of all his other commandments . Love promotes obedience, and the two together constitute the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).