Key Verse: "Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love." (Rom. 13: 8)

There are many reasons that affect our relationships with people, sometimes becoming a reason for conflict and disagreement. These include gossip, resentment, misunderstanding, as well as unfulfilled obligations - debts. (example - $ 100) "The rich rule over the poor, and the debtor [becomes] the slave of the lender."(Proverbs 22,7) Friendships are created between people in the process of life, but they can easily be destroyed due to the financial non-obligation of one of them. Duty makes the closest friend a slave. A believing brother and sister can become really addicted because of their duty, become a victim of manipulation, accusations and threats. This applies not only to ordinary members of the church, but to any leaders and ministers. (For example, the cause of corruption is often associated with pressure on those people who owe something or owe something). A biblical example is the story of Nehemiah during the restoration of Jerusalem. Because of the famine and heavy taxes, some believers began to borrow from others, pledging first their lands and property, and then their lives. This was the cause of slavery among the people of God!

"We have the same bodies as the bodies of our brothers, and our sons are the same as their sons; but behold, we must give our sons and our daughters as slaves, and some of our daughters are already in bondage. There is no means for ransom in our hands; our fields and our vineyards are in others. " (Neh. 5.5)

1) broken relationships

Due to the fact that someone has taken on debt obligations, but does not fulfill them, leads to communication problems. The credibility of the debtor is lost, trust in him is lost. And where is the guarantee of the loyalty of a person who is unreliable in the financial sector. It can be difficult to maintain spiritual communication with debtors. It is quite possible that the debtor will associate each denunciation and remark with his own financial problems. "And I know why you criticize me. It's all because of a debt that I cannot repay."

2) fear

When a person knows that he has a debt that he cannot repay, or an obligation that he cannot fulfill, then he often avoids meeting and open conversation. Fear haunts him. He is afraid of responsibility, criticism, and maybe punishment for unpaid debts. And this applies to the most different spheres life. In our country, there are many fathers who are hiding from the payment of alimony, entrepreneurs who evade taxes, young people who do not want to join the army. All of them are driven by fear.

3) poverty

"For the Lord your God will bless you, as He told you, and you will lend to many nations, but you yourself will not borrow; and you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you." (Deut.15.6) We may have the illusion that borrowing is sometimes the solution to a financial problem. In fact, debt often exacerbates the situation, leading to poverty. According to Holy Scripture and practical experience, hardly anyone would call debts a blessing.

Imagine that you have made a large purchase (for example, bought a washing machine) and have not thought about what you will live on for the rest of your paycheck. What to do in such a situation? Usually, without hesitation, people borrow money ... until the next paycheck. But when they receive money next month, nothing is left of them. Almost everything can go to pay off a debt. And again you need to borrow somewhere, and so it is constantly. I've noticed that those who commit debt in their lives do it very often. But they are also unhappy. Such people puzzle over what to buy food, where to earn extra money, who else can lend. Debtors are likely to be tempted by tithing and offering. What can bless a person who is head over heels in debt? He only causes pity, and cannot be an example of a successful Christian.

"Don't stay in debt anyone"(Rom. 13.8)

Duty to Individuals

Mismanagement or mismanagement of finances leads to debt. When there is no planning for earned money, when desires exceed possibilities, the temptation always comes to borrow. But that doesn't solve the problem. In order not to be burdened with debts and not to spoil relationships with loved ones, it is important to understand the reasons for the lack of finance. Perhaps some of us need to start spending money only on the most essential needs, while someone needs to learn how to manage a family budget.

Debt to the state

"So give everyone his due: to whom to give, to give; to whom a dues, dues; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor."(Rom. 13: 7)

In some countries, including Russia, many people (up to 50%) evade taxes, considering them optional or not so important. Sometimes one can hear statements that "it is not a sin to steal from the state." But this is not in line with Christian morality, because Jesus himself said "give back to Caesar what is Caesar's, but to the God of God" (Matthew 22.21)

The taxes and fees we pay go to government services such as police, fire brigade, health care, and education. Tax evaders condemn many social services to poverty: assistance to the disabled, the elderly and orphans.

Duty to God

Probably, the debt that should be repaid in the first place is our debt to God. A tenth of all our income belongs to it. "Bring all tithes to the house of the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and though try Me in it." (Mal. 3.10) It is very important for any believer to be faithful in financial gifts. According to the Word, we cannot delay tithing, shorten it, or use it as we please.

So that debts and relationships with debtors do not become a burden

1. align your needs with your finances (1 Timothy 6.6)
2. plan a family budget, distributing money according to the necessary items (rent, travel, food, property ...) (Luke 14, 28-29)
3. in tight financial situations, trust God, not human calculation.
4. do not borrow if you do not know how you will repay.
5. do not give money to relatives or friends for the purpose of making a profit (Psalm 14.5)
6. do not lend to believers without the consent of one of the ministers. (Acts 4: 34-35)
7. borrow an amount you won't worry about. (Luke 6.35)
8. if the debt is not returned to you, be ready to forgive it (Deut. 15,2)

God does not forbid us to borrow and does not consider it a sin, but He warns that debt can lead us to slavery. Debt payment is red - the proverb says, which means that you need to borrow very carefully. If we do not know how and when we will pay off the loan or credit, then perhaps we should not count on these funds. It is important to remember that a debt-free life is the path to freedom, prosperity, and virtuous service.

Paul was just talking about paying taxes (vv. 6-7), and the exhortation not to owe anything to anyone continues the theme of the Christian's financial obligations.

This phrase is sometimes interpreted in the sense that a Christian can never borrow anything. But neither the Old nor the New Testament contains a categorical prohibition on borrowing or borrowing.

The Law of Moses demanded: "If you lend money to the poor of my people, then do not oppress him or impose growth on him" (Ex. 22:25; cf. Ps. 14: 5). It follows from this verse that it was allowed to borrow because it was allowed to lend. The moral problem was about the interest charged to the poor. The book of Leviticus says even more clearly about the establishment of percentages: "If your brother becomes poor and falls into decay with you, then support him, whether he is an alien or a settler, so that he may live with you. Do not take growth and profit from him, and fear God. your brother, that your brother may live with you "(Lev. 25: 35-36, Neh. 5: 7; Ez. 22:12).

God also warned His people against refusing to give a loan to a compatriot because the seventh year is near, in which all debts are forgiven (see Deut. 15: 7-9). The Lord promised the disinterested and generous creditor that "for this the Lord your God will bless you in all your deeds and in all that will be done by your hands" (v. 10). He declared that "the righteous man has mercy and gives ... He has mercy every day and lends, and his offspring in blessing will be" (Ps. 37:21, 26), and that "he who does good to the poor lends to the Lord: and He will repay him for his good deed "(Prov. 19:17). Regardless of whether the debtor returns the money to the merciful creditor or not, the Lord will certainly compensate him for everything.

From the verses quoted and from many other verses it becomes clear that lending, and therefore borrowing, was common in ancient Israel. The law carefully regulated the issue of lending, prohibiting the collection of interest from those in dire need, but not prohibiting the lending of money at a fair and reasonable interest.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus indirectly endorsed the practice of borrowing and commanded potential lenders: "Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you" (Matt. 5:42). Developing the above thought about divine blessing for those who give mercifully and generously, Jesus said: "But you love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing; and you will have a great reward, and you will be sons of the Most High" (Luke . 6:35). Again we are promised that when we give with sincere heart to those in need, the Lord Himself will divinely reward us.

So in both the Old and New Testaments, borrowing is allowed for those who are in serious need and do not have other resources, and both covenants require believers who have the opportunity to lend to needy brothers to do it without seeking profit.

In the area of \u200b\u200bentrepreneurship, Jesus approved of borrowing money to invest in a business. In the parable of the talents (see Matt. 25: 14-30), the master greatly praised the two servants who wisely invested his money, but severely rebuked the unfaithful slave who simply buried the money entrusted to him: "Therefore, you had to give my silver to the merchants, and I the one who came would receive mine with a profit "(v. 27).

Many businesses could not exist without borrowing money to invest in construction, equipment, or raw materials. Many farmers would not have been able to grow a new crop without borrowing money to buy seeds and fertilizers. Many families would never be able to buy a home without taking out a loan.

When it is really necessary to borrow money, it should be returned as agreed with the creditor - on time and in full. Scripture nowhere justifies borrowing money to buy unnecessary things, especially luxury items that they cannot afford. Everyone needs to pay back their debts on time and in full. These financial principles are at the heart of Paul's exhortation to "owe nothing to anyone."

The apostle then makes a seemingly opposite statement, declaring that all Christians have one permanent debt. Absolutely regardless of financial situation and circumstances, all believers have a constant duty - mutual love. We must pay off this debt constantly, but we will never be able to pay off in full. Origen, one of the early Christian church fathers, said: "The debt of love always remains with us and never leaves us. It is a debt that we must pay off daily and always." And thanks to the gracious provision of our Lord, we will always have the opportunity to pay off this debt, and the more we pay it, the more desirable and joyful the payment becomes.

Our mutual love primarily affects our fellow believers, our sisters and brothers in Christ. “I give you a new commandment,” Jesus said, “love one another; as I have loved you, so you also love one another; by this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13 : 34-35). To serve other Christians is to serve Christ. "For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat," He said, "I was thirsty, and you gave me drink; I was a stranger, and you took me in; I was naked, and you clothed Me; I was sick, and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me ... Truly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me "(Matt. 25: 35-36, 40). Serving the saints not only shows our love for them, but also our love for God (Heb. 6:10).

The theme of 1 John is love. He tells us that he who "loves his brother is in the light, and there is no temptation in him" (1 John 2:10). He reminds us that God has commanded "that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another as He commanded us" (3:23). He instructs us: "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God" (4: 7), and "we have from Him such a commandment that he who loves God also loves his brother "(4:21).

Paul also has a lot to say about loving Christian brothers. In his letter to Colossi, he wrote: "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, saints and beloved, in mercy, goodness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, condescending to each other and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against whom: as Christ forgave you, so and you. Most of all put on love, which is the totality of perfection "(Col. 3: 12-14). He advised Corinthian believers, who often acted divisively and worldly, to achieve love (see 1 Cor. 14: 1), and advised Timothy to encourage godly women to abide in faith, love, and holiness (see 1 Tim. 2:15) ... He prayed that the love of the Philippian believers would "grow more and more in knowledge and every feeling" (Phil. 1: 9).

The Apostle Peter, who knew how difficult it is to love the way the Lord wants (for example, John 21: 15-22, Acts 10), wrote: "By obedience to the truth through the Spirit, having cleansed your souls to unfeigned brotherly love, constantly love one another from the pure hearts "(1 Pet. 1:22).

But no one also has anything to do with unbelievers, all unbelievers, and not only those who are sympathetic and with whom a friendly relationship has been established. Our Lord tells us: "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who offend you and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44). As we saw in the previous chapter of Romans, Paul commands, "Bless your persecutors; bless, not curse" (12:14), and "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink" (v. 20) ). In his letter to the Galatian churches, he admonishes: "Therefore, as long as there is time, let us do good to all, and especially to our own according to faith" (Gal. 6:10).

Righteous love is so important that "he who loves another has fulfilled the law." This is the truth Paul repeats in v. 10, and we will discuss it in detail as we study this verse.

Clearly, righteous, godly love is much more than just emotion. As can be seen from the passage to the Galatians just quoted, love begins with sincere compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. But she also always finds the opportunity to "do good" to those we love, whether they deserve it or not. Because distance and other circumstances are beyond our control, sometimes the only good deed we can do is pray for them or forgive them. Of course, praying and forgiving is the best thing that can be done for a person, especially if we are praying for salvation, and our forgiveness can motivate a person to seek God's forgiveness. But as noted above, "while there is time" we must show our love directly and practically. Godly love involves serving the physical and financial needs of others, both believers and non-believers. This truth lies at the heart of Jesus' parable of the Good Samaritan (see Luke 10: 25-37).

There are many other ways to show godly love. The highest is to teach and live God's truth. The most important thing that can be passed on to unbelievers is the good news of salvation. Believers learn God's truth by faithfully living "in purity, in prudence, in generosity, in goodness, in the Holy Spirit, in unfeigned love, in the word of truth, in the power of God" (2 Cor. 6: 6-7). Even when we feel fit to warn or rebuke others, we must speak the truth with love (see Ephesians 4:15).

Godly love never uses its freedom “to please the flesh” (Galatians 5:13) and never rejoices in lies or unrighteousness (1 Cor. 13: 6). Love refuses to do anything, even non-sinful in itself, if it would offend the believer or serve as a moral or spiritual stumbling block (see Rom. 14:21). “Most of all,” Apostle Peter reminds us, “look for zealous love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4: 8).

Godly love forgives. We should be "kind to one another, compassionate", forgiving one another, "just as God in Christ forgave [us]" (Ephesians 4:32). The Lord's promise that "if you forgive people their sins, then your Heavenly Father will also forgive you," there is a warning: "And if you do not forgive people their sins, then your Father will not forgive you your sins" (Matt. 6 : 14-15; cf. Luke 6: 36-37).

Godly love is characterized by humility, meekness, longsuffering, and condescension to one another (see Ephesians 4: 2). In a beautiful address to the Corinthian church, which was not characterized by love, Paul said: “Love is longsuffering, merciful, love does not envy, love is not exalted, does not pride itself, does not rage, does not seek its own, does not get irritated, does not think evil, does not rejoice in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth; covers everything, believes everything, hopes everything, endures everything. Love never fails "(1 Cor. 13: 4-8).

The highest criterion of godly love is its willingness to sacrifice its own needs and wealth for the needs and welfare of others, and even to sacrifice life if necessary. “There is no more that love,” said Jesus, “as if someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). The highest example of such love was shown by Jesus Himself, who "being in the image of God, did not consider it a robbery to be equal to God; but he humiliated himself, taking the form of a slave, becoming like men and in appearance becoming like a man; the death of the godmother "(Phil. 2: 6-8). We must imitate "God as beloved children" and live in "love, as Christ also loved us and gave Himself for us as an offering and sacrifice to God, for a sweet scent" (Ephesians 5: 1-2). As Ap. John: "We know love in this, that He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers" (1 John 3:16).

But let us ask ourselves, can we love so righteously and selflessly? First, we must remember that our gracious heavenly Father gives His children everything they need to fulfill His commandments and follow His example. God has given us the opportunity to pay our great debt of love, "because the love of God has been poured out into our hearts by the Holy Spirit given to us" (Rom. 5: 5). God's love is an inexhaustible source from which we can draw the supernatural love that He has commanded us to live. Paul prayed for the Ephesians:

"By faith Christ may dwell in your hearts, so that you, rooted and confirmed in love, may comprehend with all the saints that latitude and longitude, and depth and height, and understand the love of Christ that surpasses understanding, so that you may be filled with it with the fullness of God" (Ephesus . 3: 17-19).

To love as God commanded, Christians must submit to the Holy Spirit. In doing this, we must give up all hatred, hostility, anger, revenge, and pride that separates us from those we are called to love. “But there is no need to write to you about brotherly love,” says Paul, “for you yourself have been taught by God to love one another” (1 Thess. 4: 9). God Himself teaches us to love through His Holy Spirit! And since God Himself is love (see 1 John 4:16), it is not surprising that the first fruit of the spirit is love (Galatians 5:22).

The love that God has commanded us must be pure and sincere, since love cannot coexist with hypocrisy. Therefore, Peter exhorts: "By obedience to the truth through the Spirit, having cleansed your souls to unfeigned brotherly love, continually love one another from a pure heart" (1 Pet. 1:22). Below in the same epistle, the apostle calls for love without delay: "The end is near for all. So, be discreet and watchful in your prayers. Above all, have zealous love for one another, because love covers many sins" (4: 7-8).

Godly love is a matter of choice, and only sincere love pleases God and can strengthen and unite His people. “Above all put on love, which is the totality of perfection” (Col. 3:14). Our godly love motivates other believers to love. Therefore, the Epistle to the Hebrews says: "Let us be attentive to one another, encouraging to love and good works" (Heb. 10:24). The best opportunity to awaken love in others is “not to leave your meeting, as some have custom; but ... to admonish one another, and even more so, the more you see the approach of that day” (v. 28). “If there is any consolation in Christ,” Paul said to the Philippians, “if there is any joy of love, if there is any communion of the spirit, if there is any mercy and compassion, then add to my joy: have one thoughts, have the same love, be unanimous and of one mind "(Phil. 2: 1-2).

And it is wonderful that by the infinite grace of our Lord, righteous love is mutual love. We know that we can love God only because “He first loved us” (1 John 4:19). Despite this, the Lord promises: "He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and appear to him myself ... And My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our abode with him" (John 14: 21-23).

An expression of love

For the commandments: "do not commit adultery," "do not kill," "do not steal," "do not bear false witness," "do not covet someone else's," and all the others are contained in this word: "love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to one's neighbor (13: 9-10a)

By proclaiming that love fulfills the law (v.8b), the apostle illustrates this point by naming six specific laws from Old Testament... The first five of the Ten Commandments are presented in a different order in Ex. 20: 13-17 and Deut. 5: 17-21. The sixth law is from Lev. 19:18.

Godly love does not commit adultery, because in such a sinful defilement of a person there is shown disrespect for the purity of another. Love values \u200b\u200bthe dignity of others and cannot do anything that could defile morally. Like other manifestations of sexual immorality, adultery is the result of filthy sinful lust, not pure love.

The same applies to the person who committed the murder or theft. Love does not rob others of life or property.

Since the thirst for someone else is not always recognizable, the Lord is the only one. Who always knows about this sin. But again, if we love, we will not desire someone else's, since love has nothing to do with untruth (see 1 Cor. 13: 6).

Jesus explained that all sins arise in the heart, regardless of whether it has an external manifestation: "From the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, perjury, blasphemy" (Matt. 15:19). In the Sermon on the Mount, He warned: "You have heard what was said to the ancients:" Do not kill; whoever kills, is subject to judgment. "But I tell you that everyone who is angry with his brother in vain is subject to judgment; whoever says to his brother," cancer, "is subject to the Sanhedrin" (Matt. 5: 21-22), and " you have heard what the ancients said: “do not commit adultery.” But I tell you that everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart ”(vv. 27-28).

A Christian loving with God's love will not violate these or any other commandments, including the other two of the Ten Commandments that determine our attitude towards other people, namely the commandments about honoring father and mother and about perjury (see Ex. 20: 12.16). All God's laws concerning human relationships are contained in this word: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

If we truly love others as ourselves, we will not be tempted to harm them in any way. This law, quoted by Paul, is recorded in Lev. 19:18, and Jesus proclaimed him second in importance after the Greatest Commandment: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matt. 22: 37-39), as it is written in Deut. 6: 5.

The Apostle is not talking here about the First and Greatest Commandments and about other commandments directly related to God, since he is talking about our relationships with other people, whom the Apostle calls our neighbors. And as noted above, Jesus explained that neighbors are everyone we associate with, especially those in need (Luke 10: 25-37).

The commandment “love your neighbor as yourself” does not support, as some interpret today, the popular but completely unbiblical view that we should have high psychological self-esteem. Rather, it means that as fallen people we already have a high opinion of ourselves and should, by God's grace, think about others as well. Elsewhere, Paul instructs us that we should care more for others than for ourselves. “Do nothing out of ambition or vanity,” he says, “but out of humility, consider each other superior to yourself. Not only each should take care of yourself, but each also about others” (Phil. 2: 3-4).

If believers so selflessly care about the welfare of others, then they undoubtedly do it out of sincere and pious love that does not harm the neighbor, that is, does not harm anyone.

Paul's point is that a Christian who allows God's love manage your life, divinely protected from sin, and inclined towards righteousness. A loving Christian obeys God's law, not because he fears the consequences of disobeying, but because he loves God and seeks to please Him by loving others.

Fear is a natural cause of aversion from sin, as the Bible warns countless times about sin and its consequences. Regardless of the motive for sinful behavior, it is always better not to commit sin than to sin. But fear is not the main reason for turning away from sin, especially for a Christian. Even unbelievers abstain from many obviously wrong actions, because they fear that they will be detained and punished.

Many nominal Christians lead outwardly moral lives in the hope of pleasing God and winning His favor with good behavior. But as the Lord said in the time of Isaiah about ancient Israel: "This people draws near to Me with their mouths, and with their tongue honors Me, but their heart is far from Me, and their reverence for Me is the study of the commandments of men" (Isa. 29:13 ).

God's Word is replete with promises of blessings and rewards for His faithful children, although they are not always done exactly the way we would like them to be, and are not always pleasing to the flesh. But even the gracious and wonderful prospect of His heavenly blessing is not the highest and purest reason for a believer to obey the Lord. Godly Christians reject evil and do good, for that is the only thing that their indwelling love for the Lord in them prompts them to do. The desires of God will become our desires. As someone remarked, if we love God and other people with all our heart, we can do what we want, because we will only want what is pleasing to God and useful to other people.

The purpose of love

so love is the fulfillment of the law (13: 10b)

Contrary to what many think, living by love and living by law are not mutually exclusive. In reality, they are inextricably linked. God's law cannot be fulfilled without love, since love and only love, as Paul explained (v. 8b), is the fulfillment of the law.

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus declared: "Do not think that I came to break the law or the prophets; I did not come to break the law, but to fulfill it. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or one tittle will pass from the law. until all is fulfilled. So, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches people so, he will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven; but whoever does and teach, he will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven "(Matt. 5: 17-19).

Later, in the Sermon on the Mount, He expressed what is usually called the golden rule: "So in everything that you want people to do to you, so do you to them; for in this is the law and the prophets" (Matt. 7:12). James speaks of love for one's neighbor as for oneself, as the fulfillment of the royal law according to the Scriptures (see James 2: 8). Love fulfills the golden rule of the Lord and the royal law of the Lord.

I will give a wonderful analogy from music that helps to understand the greatness and fullness of love. There are only seven basic notes in music; many children need an hour or less to learn them. But great composers like Handel or Beethoven have failed to drain these notes and their variations in their entire lives. This is also God's love. It uses major and sometimes seemingly insignificant events and phenomena to create great ones. Love governs character and reason. She seeks to overcome disadvantages and develop virtues. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and through His power, she is transforming more and more redeemed men and women in the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. There are no human heights to which love cannot lift a person. In fact, nothing can be done without love, because love is the essence of man.

A few years ago, this paraphrase of 1 Cor. 13:

"If I perfectly know the language and speak like everyone living here and do not have God's love for them, I am nothing. If I have diplomas, degrees, I know everything latest techniquesbut I do not have the touch of His understanding love, I am nothing. If I can successfully oppose and ridicule human religions, but do not have His concern, I am nothing. If I have all faith, great ideals and great plans, but do not have His love, which suffers, bleeds, cries and prays, I am nothing. If I give people clothes and money, but do not have His love for them, I am nothing.

If I abandon my plans, leave home and friends, performing sacrificial missionary service, but become gloomy and selfish amid the daily difficulties and sorrows of missionary life, I have no love that gives up my rights, pleasure, favorite plans, I am nothing. Virtue ceased to flow from me. If I can heal all diseases, but I hurt hearts and hurt feelings because of the lack of His love in me, I am nothing. If I can write articles and publish books that receive an enthusiastic reception but are unable to interpret the Word of the Cross in the language of His love, I am nothing. ”(Unknown Author)

. Let every soul be submissive to the higher authorities;

After offering the listeners enough instructions on morality and teaching them to be benevolent even to enemies, he also offers a real admonition, teaching every soul, even if a priest, even a monk, even an apostle, to obey the rulers; for this submission does not undermine piety. And the apostle offers this admonition in order to show that the Gospel does not teach treason or disobedience to the authorities, but a noble way of thinking and obedience.

for there is no power not from God; the existing authorities from God are established.

What are you saying? Is every leader appointed by God? “I’m not saying that,” he replies. Now I have a word not about each boss individually, but about the bosses themselves. That there are rulers, that some are in charge and others are subordinate, and that there is no confusion between the higher and the lower, I call this a work of the wisdom of God. For he did not say, There is no ruler, but "There is no power not from God"... Therefore, I say, he talks about the subject itself, about the authorities. Likewise, when the wise one says: "An intelligent wife is from the Lord" (), expresses not what unites everyone who marries, but that marriage is established by God. So, all the authorities, no matter what he took into consideration, whether the father over the son, whether the husband over the wife, whether all the others, even those that exist between animals, for example, between bees, cranes, fish, are all established by God.

. Therefore, the one who resists the authority resists God's ordinance. And those who oppose themselves will incur condemnation.

So that believers cannot say: you humiliate us, subordinating to the leaders those who have to receive the Heavenly Kingdom, shows that the one who obeys the authorities obeys God, or, what is much more terrible, the one who disobeys the authorities opposes God, who established the authorities, and the one who resists will be punished by both God and people ... He suggested the latter, saying: "Those who oppose themselves will incur condemnation".

. For the rulers are not afraid of good deeds, but of evil ones. Do you want not to be afraid of power? Do good and get praise from her.

What are you afraid and terrified of? Does the boss scold you if you do good? Is it terrible for you if you are jealous of virtue? On the contrary, if you are doing good, then the boss is appointed to praise you. He is so far from scaring you that he even praises you.

. for the leader is God's servant, for your good.

He, he says, cooperates with the will of God. For example: advises you to be chaste; and the boss also prescribes laws. God exhorts you not to be covetous and a thief: and a leader is made a judge over the same. Consequently, he is a hurry to us in good deeds if we surrender to him.

If you do evil, be afraid, for he does not carry a sword in vain:

This means that it is not the chief who creates fear in us, but our vices, due to which the chief's sword, that is, the power to punish. The chief, he says, does not gird himself with a sword in vain, but in order to punish the wicked.

he is God's servant, an avenger as punishment for the evil-doer.

When the leader praises virtue, he does the will of God; and when he uses the sword in action, there is a servant of God who defends virtue and drives away vice. Many do good not so much out of the fear of God as out of fear of their leaders. Therefore, when the leader defends virtue and punishes vice, then he is God's servant.

. And therefore one must obey not only out of fear of punishment, but also out of conscience.

You need, he says, to obey, not only so as not to experience the wrath of both God and the boss, as a rebellious one, and not to be subjected to unbearable punishment, but also so as not to be shameless and ungrateful to the benefactor. Great blessings are delivered to the authorities of states. They support our well-being, and if it were not for them, everything would have been overthrown long ago because the strongest would have swallowed up the weakest. So, your own conscience, he says, may convince you to honor those who bring you so many benefits.

. For this, you pay taxes,

You say, you yourself testify that the boss benefits you, because you give him a reward, obviously, as one who provides for you. We would not have paid taxes from the beginning if we didn’t know that we were benefiting from the authorities, who passed through which were tirelessly awake for us, and we were free from the hassle of this.

for they are God's servants, who are constantly busy with this.

Therefore, it is pleasing to God that we pay taxes to His servants. wants a civil society to be peaceful, to live virtuously and to be amazed at vice; and this is precisely where the rulers serve the will of God, zealously caring for the general tranquility, applying tireless care to ensure that we lead our lives in peace and silence. If another uses leadership for evil, then this does not say anything against the benefit of the leadership itself.

. So give everyone their due: to whom to give, to give; to whom the rent, the rent; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor.

Gratitude to the bosses is, he says, your inevitable duty. Pay tribute to everyone who has been entrusted with various authorities: to whom should be paid, that is, given the total, give the tax, and to whom the quitrent, that is, the payment for the land, give the quitrent. But give not only money. Give also fear, that is, reverence, awe and excellent honor. Therefore, it adds: "To whom honor, honor"... There are two kinds of fear. The one fear that criminals fear is the fear that stems from a bad conscience: this fear was previously rejected by the apostle. The other fear is that which lovers have for their beloved, that is, the highest degree of respect, as it is said: "There is no poverty among them that fear Him" () and: "The fear of the Lord is pure, abides forever" (). Here, of course, reverence.

. Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love.

Repay other debts, he says. But do not wish to pay back love, but always have it in constant debt. If you always show your neighbor the affection of a lover, then do not imagine that tomorrow you must neglect him: on the contrary, always think that it is your duty to love your neighbor.

for he who loves another has fulfilled the law.

. For the commandments: do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not covet someone else's and all the others are contained in this word: love your neighbor as yourself.

He who loves his neighbor fulfills the law. Therefore, everyone should love his neighbor because he receives from him and from love for him so many benefits that he fulfills the entire law. He didn’t say: it is supplemented, but “is”, that is, this commandment contains the entire composition of the commandments. For the beginning and end of virtue is love. Further, the law demands love in the highest degree. "Love" - \u200b\u200bhe says - "Neighbor as yourself"but our Lord requires more, instilling that we love our neighbor more than ourselves; because it teaches to lay down a soul for a friend ().

. Love does no harm to one's neighbor; so love is the fulfillment of the law.

Shows that love has both perfection. When he says that "Love does no harm to one's neighbor", means that it is abstinence from evil, and the words "Love is the fulfillment of the law" indicates that it is doing good. Thus, love accomplishes in us the virtue indicated by the law in its entirety.

. Do this, knowing the time that the hour has come for us to awaken from sleep.

You must, he says, value love very highly, and through it all other virtues. This is already the time. The day of resurrection is near, judgment is near, and we must awaken from the sleep of carelessness and be ready for deeds worthy of the resurrection.

For now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.

Probably, at the beginning, upon their conversion, they were most zealous, and then, over time, they cooled off. Therefore, he says: now we are closer to the next century; for he is understood by "salvation", calling it so from his best side, because for sinners he is not salvation, but destruction. As we approach the future life, we must intensify our attention. This is shown further.

The night is over (προέκοψεν) and the day approached:

That is, the night will end soon. For example: suppose that the night consists of twelve hours. When ten hours have passed, we say that the night ends (προέκοψεν), instead of: passed, is close to the end. He calls the present age night, because in it many are in darkness and the life of everyone is covered with darkness; but he calls the future age by day, both because of the lordship of the righteous, and because then the secrets of all will be revealed. In the Gospel, the present age is called the day because during it one must do, and the future age is called the night because then no one can do ().

so let us reject the works of darkness and put on the weapons of light.

He called sinful actions deeds as something difficult, associated with great inconveniences, subject to thousands of dangers even in this age; and he called virtuous actions the weapon of light: for they supply the one who has them as a weapon in safety, and make him bright as a weapon of light. With the words "reject" and "put on" he showed the convenience of both, that is, the withdrawal from evil deeds and turning to virtue. Just as it is not difficult to lay aside a garment and put on another, so it is possible to remove oneself from vice and to embrace virtue.

. As in the daytime, we will behave decorously,

Above said: "The day is drawing near", and now he shows that he is already advancing, and teaches us to behave in it with decency. Deanery attracts those who greatly respected the glory of the people; and did not say: behave, - but "We will behave"making your admonition bearable. For nothing is so ugly as sin, and nothing is so ugly as virtue.

indulging in neither feasting nor drunkenness,

Prohibits not drinking, but drinking without measure; not drinking wine, but drinking. "Feasting" is called (state) in a drunken state, combined with resentment, which is also called drunkenness.

neither voluptuousness and profligacy,

Having said before about drunkenness, now he speaks of the evil coming from it; for debauchery comes from drunkenness, and here it cuts off not communication with women, but fornication.

no quarrels and envy.

Having extinguished the evil that is born of lust, now it suppresses the evil that comes from anger. For nothing kindles lust and inflames anger like drunkenness and disorderly conduct in a drunken state. From envy comes zeal or quarrel, because the envy of another comes to quarrels. Therefore, having taken away the quarrel, it goes back to the beginning of it - envy. He mentions quarrel and envy, along with debauchery, because from the latter comes the fight and transformation of houses.

. but put on our Lord Jesus Christ,

Having stripped off our sinful clothes, it adorns us at last, clotheing us no longer in the weapon of light, but, what can be more terrifying, making the Lord Himself our garment. He who is clothed in this garment has every virtue.

and do not turn the care of the flesh into lusts.

Does not prohibit caring for the body, but "lust". Take care, he says, about the body for health, and not for lewdness. For it would not be a concern if you kindled a flame and kindled the furnace to your own detriment. Try only to have a healthy body, and what is more, do not worry about that, and do not kindle the lusts of the body, but turn all diligence to the spiritual.

Probably, it happened to everyone: they will ask who you voted for in the elections, and then they look intently in the eyes - are you for power or against? But the fact is that we vote for or against this or that candidate. This should not in any way affect our attitude towards power as a phenomenon.

Is the translator to blame for everything?

"Therefore, be obedient to every human rulership," teaches the Apostle Peter, "for the Lord: whether to the king, as the supreme power, or to the rulers, as sent from Him." And this is from the Apostle Paul: "Let every soul be submissive to the higher authorities, for there is no authority not from God."

The other day I was told that St. Paul could not say this - probably the translator attributed it to him. In a similar way, one can doubt any fragment of the Bible, making it an object of his own arbitrariness. So let's try to understand the apostles better. “The rulers are not afraid of good works, but of evil,” said the apostle Paul. - Do you want not to be afraid of power? Do good, and you will receive praise from her, for the leader is God's servant, for your good. If you do evil, be afraid, for he does not carry a sword in vain ... And therefore one must obey not only out of fear of punishment, but also out of conscience. "

But it was with the sword that they killed him, as a Roman citizen. At the same time, he knew in advance what awaited him, but did not avoid death, did not change his attitude to power. Let's try to comprehend this. In our country, the Church is often accused of serving the authorities in order to receive some benefits. But three hundred years after the death of the Savior, Christians were killed in the most brutal ways, and they continued to obey not for fear, but for conscience. Every word spoken on this topic by the Apostle Paul was paid for with his blood, and not with money or fear, because the saint could leave the Roman Empire at any time. But he remained her citizen. Christians knew that they were breaking the law and accepted death without curses. They violated one single law, because above it is grace and the salvation of the soul, because all earthly institutions are nothing before God. But in everything that does not concern faith - "render Caesarean what is Caesarean."

Pietro della Vecchia "Denarius of Caesar (image from the site eaculture.ru)

The word about the power of the Apostle Paul ends like this: “So give everyone his due: to whom to give, to give; to whom the rent, the rent; to whom fear, fear; to whom honor, honor. Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love; for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. " That is, obey the authorities, but serve love.

Christians gave the empire the best warriors, builders, thinkers, because everything that they undertook was done conscientiously. And when they proved that they are the best, Emperor Constantine thought: "What are we doing, pushing away the best?" Something similar happened in Russia. Only on them the authorities could really rely. Therefore, it was not the translators who distorted Saint Paul, but the modern “fighters against the regime” decided to “correct” the Holy Scriptures as well.

Let the atheists and those of little faith hope that life will change for the better, if you change the next awl for the next soap, let the believer try to do what he should.

Is it always obedient?

It is clear, however, how painful this question is, how much doubt it raises. There is no rule to be followed thoughtlessly. Let us recall the Time of Troubles when Patriarch Job refused to recognize the false Dmitry impostor as the son of Ivan the Terrible. The point here was also in the fact that the Council anathematized the adventurer, even when he entered the Moscow kingdom. It was clear that this was an enemy who had taken up the legitimate power, and even when he won, this did not change much for the Church.

P.I. Geller. "Patriarch Job refuses to recognize the son of Ivan IV in False Dmitry I" (image from the site rop.ru)

That is, the confirmation of the legitimacy of power is far from being as automatic as it seemed to the archbishop of Minsk Barlaam (Shishatsky), who swore allegiance to Napoleon in 1812. He carried away two-thirds of the Belarusian clergy with him. It ended with the fact that Varlaam again became a simple monk and a few years later became blind from tears. The rest of the clergy were ordered six Sundays in the presence of the people, as a sign of repentance, 50 bows to the earth.

At the same time, both Patriarch Tikhon and the Church recognized the legitimate power of the God-fighting Bolsheviks, despite the fact that they took it by force and the Pretender looked against their background as an Orthodox patriot and guardian of the Fatherland. Many Orthodox Christians never reconciled themselves, but Saint Tikhon firmly understood two things.

First. The people, who allowed the overthrow of the legitimate government in February 1917, lost all notion, where is left, where is right, all the pillars on which Russia was held collapsed, all institutions of law and order perished. It was impossible to count on the new militia of Minin and Pozharsky - only a few were ready to fight for Holy Russia, and among them there were few serious, intelligent people. The rest fought each for their own. Unbelief devoured everything like rust.

The second thing that Saint Patriarch Tikhon knew: at least some kind of power is needed that will physically protect the people from destruction or enslavement. It was clear that the country was facing wars not with those, so with others. And here is what is important - the difference between an external and an internal enemy who has usurped power. The internal one, one way or another, is forced to take care of the country so that factories are built, the population multiplies, moral standards and military qualities are preserved. The external authorities have only one idea - to rob, and if the Russian people disappear, they will not grieve, they will find someone to bring to our place. This is a deadly enemy who will never become power from God.

Three requirements

- Do you like these royal bloodsuckers who disdained the needs of the people? - could be heard before the revolution.

- Do you like the godless Bolsheviks? - could be heard during the Soviet era. - Are they also God's servants, given to us for good?

- Do you like this traitor to Russia who robbed the people? - could be heard in the nineties.

At the same time, it is forgotten that, having overthrown the Tsar, we killed tens of millions of people. "It is he who is to blame for everything," they answer, "he was a weak man." He was not weak. But let’s say so. This means that the strong needed to become even stronger, come to the aid of the Tsar, lend a shoulder. Now about the Bolsheviks. About atheists and villains sounded very convincing until 1941. And then General Denikin himself expressed his desire to become a private in the Red Army.

Gradually, the power softened, in 1988 it was reconciled with the Church. It was then that they destroyed it, and again millions of victims, moreover, there was no GULAG, but other ways were found. At the beginning of the new century, however, this power began to change, although it was very weak. The Lord is tirelessly trying to reason with the authorities, and people, overcoming the first confusion, do something for the better.

Three main requirements for power:

- Autocracy, that is, independence. It should not be a puppet, transforming its people and the country's wealth into food for other peoples and other countries.

- Caring for the multiplication of strength, wealth and the ability to protect yourself. Saving the people. Whatever power we have, we will still remain dissatisfied. Therefore, it is enough that she at least tries to do something in this direction.

- Do not encroach on our faith. That is, freedom. This is not about the persecution that took place during the Roman Empire and took place in the most severe form in the USSR. The authorities should not encroach on the essence of our faith, the spiritual relics of the people.

"Be afraid of your desires"

There is an age-old dream, the requirement that the government obey the people, fulfilling their desires. There is, however, a saying: "Fear your desires - they can come true."

Science fiction writer Kir Bulychev has a story on this topic - "Goldfish are on sale", where a small town got the opportunity to fulfill its dreams. The consequences are easy to imagine, but I will focus on the scene preceding the finale, when it turns out that our people are very compassionate. There were many who decided to spend one of three wishes on helping the invalid Eric, who lost an arm and injured his leg, saving an old woman in a fire:

“Everyone turned towards the city and were numb with horror. For the sight that presented itself to the eyes was extraordinary and tragic. A man with ten legs and many arms ran to the shore, and he waved these arms at the same time. And when the man ran closer, they recognized him.

- Eric! - someone said. "

Now imagine that a whole people decided to realize their desires, convinced that the authorities do not hear them and this must be immediately corrected. Since real goldfish can only mindlessly look at us from aquariums, they promise only to realize our hopes:

- Idealists. It was they who killed Tsar Alexander II and destroyed historical Russia with their incessant groaning.

- Grantees. Since their salaries do not depend on the state of the economy - they receive money, as a rule, from abroad - the problems in the country not only do not worsen their situation, but, on the contrary, make them more in demand and wealthy.

- Crooks. For them, the death of the country opens up tremendous opportunities, when the law does not work, the people are confused - this is their finest hour.

- Power lovers. The most noisy and impudent audience. For them, this is that happy time when they can fly from rags to riches.

I want to say that a government capable of promptly responding to the wishes of the entire people does not exist and has never existed in nature. There is simply power, which is almost never good. America itself owes its prosperity not to power, but to the fact that it has lived for more than two hundred years, avoiding revolutions.

"Why are there revolutions, is there democracy?" - will object to me.

But almost all color revolutions took place in countries where there was also democracy, and pre-revolutionary Russia by 1917 was very far from authoritarianism, and in last years before the collapse of the USSR, we were freer than ever after.

No, the Christian path does not at all exclude the struggle for their rights, it is just normal for a citizen to strive for his country to become better, so that there is no injustice and lawlessness in it. He excludes only revolutions and other upheavals, resting firmly on the words of St. Paul: "All power is from God."

Having said in advance: "Do not owe anything to anyone", he then added "Except for mutual love", wishing that all our debt here was paid, and this debt remained constantly unpaid, because this especially supports and strengthens our life.

Conversation on the words of the apostle: we know that everything works together for good to those who love God.

St. Theophan the Recluse

You should not be a single person, just a hedgehog to love each other: love for another, fulfill the law

Before this I pointed out that officials, who are endowed with any authority, should do justice to everyone according to their rank. The question arises: what is due in relation to other fellow citizens? You should not be a single person who can love each other.... Here, have love with your unpaid debt. I gave the total or land tax, paid the duty, and was free; and consider love as an everlasting debt, always pay it, but never consider it fully paid. Saint Chrysostom says: “The Apostle again turns to the mother of good things, to the perpetrator of all virtues, to love, and says that she is our duty, not temporary, what kind of tax or duty, but always. For he wants this debt to never be paid, and although we always pay, but not completely, but in such a way that we still remain in debt. Because it is a kind of debt that is incessantly paid, but never paid. Having said how one should love, the Apostle reveals the benefits of love, saying: love bo friend obey the law».

This is the answer to the question of how to act in relation to others. Love - and you will fulfill everything due in this respect. For love is the fulfillment of the law - it indicates what is due, and gives strength to the fulfillment of that; it is the executive force of the law, the source from which all that is lawful and one that is lawful proceeds. Love has only a deed to do what is lawful, not because the law imposes this on it from outside, but because if it is in motion, then it can do nothing but the lawful, whether it is conscious of this lawful or not. It is also the basis of peace, prosperity and public tranquility. When it became a general motive force, then there would be no need for order keepers or courts. Everything would have sung harmoniously by itself. And without love, the hostel is not stable. Outwardly, everything is one, but internally, they are scattered: it is a heap of sand unlinked. “If there is no love in us, then the whole composition of the body will be dissolved,” says Saint Chrysostom.

Interpretation of the Epistle of the Apostle Paul to the Romans.

Venerable Ephraim Sirin

Do not owe anything to anyone besides to love each other, for whoever loves his neighbor, that's all the law fulfilled.

Interpretation on the epistles of the divine Paul. Romans.

Blzh. Augustine

Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law

When Paul says: The one who loves another has fulfilled the law, he shows that the fulfillment of the law is based on love. Likewise, the Lord says that all the law and the prophets are based on these two commandments, that is, love for God and neighbor (see Matt. 22: 37-39; Mark 12: 30-31; Luke 10:27). Therefore, the One who came to fulfill the law gave love through the Holy Spirit, so that love could fulfill what fear could not.

Some themes from the book of Romans.

If we love another whom we consider righteous, we cannot help but love his image, which shows what a righteous soul is, so that we too can become righteous. After all, if we did not love the image of God in him, we would not have love for man, since it is based on the image. But as long as we ourselves are unrighteous, our love for the image is not enough to make us righteous.

About the Trinity.

Blzh. Theophylact Bulgarian

Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law

Repay other debts, he says. But do not wish to pay back love, but always have it in constant debt. If you always show your neighbor the affection of a lover, then do not imagine that tomorrow you must neglect him: on the contrary, always think that it is your duty to love your neighbor.

Interpretations on the letter to the Romans.

Origen

Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law

We see that debt is often and in many cases equated with sin. So Paul wants every sinful debt to be paid and not a single sinful debt to remain with us; but so that the debt of love is preserved and never canceled: according to him, we pay this debt daily and always remain in debt.

Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans.

Ambrosiastes

Do not owe anything to anyone except mutual love; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law

Do not owe anyone anything other than mutual love.... Paul wants us, if possible, to be at peace with everyone, brotherly, respectful and considerate. Now he speaks of debtors: a person who is worthy of honor - whether present or future - is worthy to return what is due. It should be returned to the one from whom he found honor: therefore he is called the debtor. And if you do not do this in relation to the boss, then you are proud; the same applies to a person who is well-earned or aged. He who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law given by Moses, because the new law obliges him to love enemies too (cf.