Romans 13:8-10: The Christian's Responsibility to His Neighbor

Romans 13:9-10.. "For 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: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law."

In Romans 12:9-13:10, Paul goes through several commands about a Christian's responsibility to the people around him. First, in Romans 12:9-21, he speaks of how Christians ought to treat both their brothers in Christ and their enemies. In Romans 13:1-7, he speaks of how Christians ought to treat their government. Now, in the text today, Paul commands how Christians ought to treat his neighbor.

What does the term "neighbor" mean? In America, we define "neighbor" as someone who lives in the house next to us. However, the Bible describes our "neighbor" as "anyone with whom we have contact."* This is most clearly seen in the parable of the good (great?) samaritan, which is a story that gives the answer to the question: "Who is my neighbor?" (Luke 10:25-27). The Christian's neighbor is, in fact, everyone he comes into contact with.

But how are we to treat our neighbor? Paul (as he quotes Jesus, as Jesus quotes Moses, as Moses quotes the law given to him by God [it's almost as if these words are important or something]) says that we do so by "loving our neighbor as ourself." Seems pretty simple, does it not? Maybe that's because it is! And that is Paul's very point here. Are we to not steal from our neighbor, covet our neighbor, or commit sexuality with/against our neighbor, or murder our neighbor? Certainly not. But Paul is saying that all of these commands in scripture that deal with loving our neighbor (which, once again, is everyone) can be summed up in this command: love your neighbor as yourself.

So, how are you doing fulfilling the law by loving your neighbor? Have you hated your neighbor, coveted your neighbor, or lied to your neighbor? Surely these things ought to be far from you. Rather, love your neighbor as you love yourself.

*John Macarthur. John Macarthur's Commentary. Romans 13:9.