Matthew Henry Commentary Romans 13:8-10

"Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law." — Romans 13:8-10 (ASV)

Christians must avoid useless expense and be careful not to incur any debts they do not have the power to repay. They are also to stay away from all risky speculations and rash commitments, and whatever may expose them to the danger of not giving everyone what they are owed. Do not remain in anyone's debt.

Give everyone what is theirs. Do not spend on yourselves what you owe to others. But many who are very aware of the trouble think little of the sin of being in debt. Love for others includes all the duties of the second table. The last five of the Ten Commandments are all summed up in this royal law, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself; with the same sincerity that you love yourself, though not in the same measure and degree.

One who loves his neighbor as himself will desire his neighbor's welfare. On this is built the golden rule of doing as we would be done by. Love is a living, active principle of obedience to the whole law. Let us not only avoid injuries to the persons, connections, property, and characters of people, but also do no kind or degree of evil to anyone, and strive to be useful in every station of life.