Romans 13:
Paul wrote to the Roman congregations during their time of transitions. Emperor Claudius had expelled Jewish Christians from Rome. Upon their return, they found Gentile Christians were managing the church. Paul communicated ways people, including these Roman Christians, could be reconciled. He instructed them that love fulfills the law.
Luther found Paul's instructions fundamental to his teachings. In his Small Catechism, Luther expands his explanations beyond what the law forbids to what love requires. Luther instructs us that love does not commit adultery; it leads pure, decent lives that love and honor spouses. Love does not murder; it assists and supports our neighbors in "all life's needs." Love does not steal; it helps our neighbors "improve and protect their property and income." Love does not covet; it aids and serves our neighbors to keep what is theirs. Do our daily actions communicate with our neighbors that we love them as ourselves?
Loving God, we praise you for sending Jesus, our Savior and role model for loving each other. Forgive us when we wrong our neighbors. Awaken us to act in ways that share your light and love with everyone. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Adjunct and Field Instructor, Augsburg University/ Partner Engagement, Redeemer Lutheran Church and Center for Life Minneapolis, Minn.
Romans 13:8 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.
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (New Revised Standard Version)
8 Don’t owe anyone anything — except to love one another; for whoever loves his fellow human being has fulfilled Torah. 9 For the commandments, “Don’t commit adultery,” “Don’t murder,” “Don’t steal,” “Don’t covet,”[Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13–14(17), Deuteronomy 5:17–18(21)] and any others are summed up in this one rule: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”[
Romans 13:9 Leviticus 19:18
] 10 Love does not do harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fullness of Torah.
11 Besides all this, you know at what point of history we stand; so it is high time for you to rouse yourselves from sleep; for the final deliverance is nearer than when we first came to trust. 12 The night is almost over, the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and arm ourselves with the weapons of light. 13 Let us live properly, as people do in the daytime — not partying and getting drunk, not engaging in sexual immorality and other excesses, not quarrelling and being jealous. 14 Instead, clothe yourselves with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah; and don’t waste your time thinking about how to provide for the sinful desires of your old nature. (Complete Jewish Bible)
-------Paul wrote to the Roman congregations during their time of transitions. Emperor Claudius had expelled Jewish Christians from Rome. Upon their return, they found Gentile Christians were managing the church. Paul communicated ways people, including these Roman Christians, could be reconciled. He instructed them that love fulfills the law.
Luther found Paul's instructions fundamental to his teachings. In his Small Catechism, Luther expands his explanations beyond what the law forbids to what love requires. Luther instructs us that love does not commit adultery; it leads pure, decent lives that love and honor spouses. Love does not murder; it assists and supports our neighbors in "all life's needs." Love does not steal; it helps our neighbors "improve and protect their property and income." Love does not covet; it aids and serves our neighbors to keep what is theirs. Do our daily actions communicate with our neighbors that we love them as ourselves?
Loving God, we praise you for sending Jesus, our Savior and role model for loving each other. Forgive us when we wrong our neighbors. Awaken us to act in ways that share your light and love with everyone. Amen.
Mary Simonson Clark, '07
Adjunct and Field Instructor, Augsburg University/ Partner Engagement, Redeemer Lutheran Church and Center for Life Minneapolis, Minn.
Romans 13:8 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.
11 Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers;
12 the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light;
13 let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy.
14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. (New Revised Standard Version)
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