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Romans 13:10

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does Romans 13:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
Romans 13:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Romans 13

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
7Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute [is due]; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.
8Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law.
9For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
10Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the law.
11And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we [first] believed.
12The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.
13Let us walk becomingly, as in the day; not in revelling and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and jealousy.
← Romans 13:9Romans 13:11 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Love worketh no ill to his neighbour, etc..] That is, the man that truly loves his neighbour, will contrive no ill against him, nor do any to him; he will not injure his person, nor defile his bed, nor deprive or defraud him of his substance; or do hurt to his character, bear false testimony against him, or covet with an evil covetousness anything that is his; but, on the contrary, will do him all the good he is capable of: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law: so far as a man loves his neighbour, he acts agreeably to the law, and the particular precepts of it above mentioned: what the apostle says of love to the neighbour, the Jews frequently say of love to God; “he that loveth God…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Love worketh no ill to his--or, "one's" neighbour; therefore, &c.--As love, from its very nature, studies and delights to please its objects, its very existence is an effectual security against our wilfully injuring him. Next follow some general motives to the faithful discharge of all these duties.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Love worketh no ill ... - Love would seek to do him good; of course it would prevent all dishonesty and crime toward others. It would prompt to justice, truth, and benevolence. If this law were engraved on every man’s heart, and practiced in his life, what a change would it immediately produce in society! If all people would at once “abandon” what is suited to “work ill” to others, what an influence would it have on the business and commercial affairs of people. How many plans of fraud and dishonesty would it at once arrest. How many schemes would it crush. It would silence the voice of the slanderer; it would stay the plans of the seducer and the adulterer; it would put an end to cheating,…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Therefore love is the fulfilling of the law - For the same love which restrains from all evil, incites us to all good. Romans 13:11”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“worketh: Co1 13:4-7 love is: Rom 13:8; Mat 22:40 Romans 13:11”
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Related study paths

Read Romans 13 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification