ὀφειλή

a debt, duty

Definition

The Greek noun ὀφειλή fundamentally means 'a debt' in a financial or legal sense, referring to a sum of money that is owed. In the New Testament, this concrete meaning is extended metaphorically to signify a moral or social 'obligation' or 'duty' that one is bound to fulfill. In Matthew 18:32, it is used literally for a monetary debt in Jesus's parable of the unforgiving servant. In Romans 13:7, Paul uses it in the plural to refer to the broader duties—like taxes, revenue, respect, and honor—that are 'owed' to governing authorities.

Biblical Usage

This word appears only twice in the New Testament, but its two uses clearly illustrate its range. In Matthew 18:32, it is found within a parable (Matthew 18:23-35) to describe a massive financial debt, grounding a spiritual lesson about forgiveness in a tangible economic reality. In Romans 13:7, Paul employs the plural form (ὀφειλάς) to categorize the various non-monetary obligations citizens have toward the state, expanding the concept from pure finance to societal duty. Its usage is thus split between a narrative, literal context in the Gospels and an ethical, applied context in the Epistles.

Etymology

ὀφειλή is derived from the verb ὀφείλω (opheilō, G3784), which means 'to owe' or 'to be obligated.' The noun form directly names the thing that is owed—the debt or duty itself. This word family is common in Greek legal and ethical discourse, connecting financial liability with moral responsibility.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it bridges the concepts of justice, mercy, and social ethics. In Matthew 18, the forgiven debt becomes a powerful metaphor for God's forgiveness of the immense spiritual debt of sin, contrasting with the servant's failure to forgive a smaller, earthly debt. In Romans 13, it grounds Christian civic responsibility in the concept of a divinely ordained obligation, framing submission to authorities not merely as prudence but as a debt of justice owed. Understanding this Greek term enriches reading by highlighting that our duties to God and neighbor are not optional favors but are what is legitimately 'owed.'

In the first-century Greco-Roman world, debt was a severe and common reality, often leading to slavery or imprisonment for non-payment. Jesus's audience would have immediately grasped the desperation in his parable. The concept of 'duty' (ὀφειλή) was also central to Roman social and political philosophy, where citizens had clear obligations to the state and its gods. Paul's use of the term in Romans 13:7 would resonate with readers familiar with this civic framework, while reorienting it within a Christian worldview.

χρέος (chreos, G5533) — Also means 'debt' or 'obligation,' but can carry a stronger sense of a binding, often moral, necessity. ὀφείλημα (opheilēma, G3783) — A very close synonym, also meaning 'debt' or 'that which is owed,' used in the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:12).

Word Details

Scripture References