Rom. 13:8-10 - Love Does no Wrong

8 Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
9 For this, "YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY, YOU SHALL NOT MURDER, YOU SHALL NOT STEAL, YOU SHALL NOT COVET," and if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF."
10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

In the this section of the letter, Paul discusses how we live together with other believers. This section goes from 13:8 to 15:14.

Love One Another

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V. 8 - “Owe nothing to anyone except to love one another” - This is one of the central commands and teachings from Jesus. (See: John 13:34-35, 15:12, 17)

V. 9 - “if there is any other commandment, it is summed up in this saying, "YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF” - Paul is quoting from the Old Testament (the Torah) - See: Exo 20:13ff; Deut 5:17ff, and Lev 19:18). Of all the laws and instructions given to the Israelites, starting with Circumcision and the Ten Commandments, and the book of Leviticus (!) Jesus singles out the Shema (Deut 6:5 - not part of the Ten Commandments) and “you shall love your neighbor...” (Lev 19:18) as the most important.

God asks (demands ?) that we obey Him because we love Him, not because we fear Him. Compliance because you must does not mean willingness to obey. Compliance because you love the law giver means you will be more likely to obey; and more likely to confess and repent if you do fail.

Note commandments five through ten (i.e., honor father and mother; murder; adultery; stealing; false witness; coveting) are mostly inter-relational with people. The first four commands are relational with God. God reminds the Israelites to hear what He says (‘listen’ and ‘obey’) and to love Him (with their ‘will’, ‘their decisions’, and ‘emotions’). If they fail to do this, then they have reason to fear Him, because He is the Lord their God.

V. 10 - “Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” - This does not mean nothing bad ever happens between you and your neighbor. You will be aware of how your actions effect those around you. God, through Jesus loved us enough to die for us, take our sin upon Himself. That is our example. This does not mean you must die for someone else.

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