Romans 13:8-10
8 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
Meditation
On Maundy Thursday, we celebrate Jesus’ new commandment—to love one another—given at the last supper (see John 13:34-35, 15:12, 17). Although Paul is not present at this meal, he writes about this love and the unity is creates in his letters to the churches (see Romans 12:10, 1 Corinthians 12-13, Galatians 5:13, Ephesians 4:1-3, Philippians 2:1-4, Thessalonians 3:12, 4:9, and others).
This text in Romans is sandwiched between obedience to ruling authorities (that is the government) and proper behavior while waiting for Christ to return. It offers a segue between earthly law and spiritual conduct. The New Commandment covers both. Loving others and doing good protects one from getting in trouble with the governing authority (see Romans 13:3) while loving others “as yourself” (vs. 9b) will keep one prepared and aware that “salvation is near” (see Romans 13:11). Paul explains that love is the satisfaction of the Jewish laws (especially the ones pertaining to neighbors in the top ten). Love does not receive condemnation from the state or from the church and is the one thing that is unconditionally owed to your neighbor.
As followers of Jesus Christ, our new commandment; our new way of being; our new worldview and lifestyle is based solely on love. If an action, idea, belief, attitude, or anything else does not reflect love toward a neighbor, then the law has been disregarded and broken. Fellowship with God and others is damaged where the only restitution is repentance—the turning back to the new commandment. Repentance acknowledges our shortcomings and opens the way for God to forgive us and strengthen our ability to love our neighbors properly. Thanks be to God.