ὀφείλω
opheilō
to owe
Lexicon Entry
Lexicon data from STEPBible TIPNR, Tyndale House, Cambridge. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
What Original Readers Understood
SupportedThe Greek word ὀφείλω (opheilō) is defined as "to owe."rawer This verb is used 35 times in the Bible, indicating its significance in various contexts. In its core meaning, ὀφείλω refers to a debt or obligation that one must repay. The range of usage for ὀφείλω is diverse, encompassing financial debts, moral responsibilities, and social obligations. It is often used in conjunction with other words to convey a sense of duty or liability. For example, in one context, ὀφείλω is used to describe a debt of gratitude, highlighting the importance of reciprocity and appreciation. The significance of ὀφείλω lies in its emphasis on accountability and responsibility. By acknowledging one's debts and obligations, individuals are reminded of their duty to repay and make amends. This concept is essential in building trust, fostering relationships, and maintaining social harmony.
Source data & methodology
Occurrences in Scripture
35 total occurrences across the text
“But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
Matthew 18:28“But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’
Matthew 18:30He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due.
Matthew 18:34His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him.
Matthew 23:16“Woe to you, you blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.’
Matthew 23:18‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?’
Luke 7:41“A certain lender had two debtors. The one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty.
Luke 11:4Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ ”
Luke 16:5Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’
Luke 16:7Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’
Luke 17:10Even so you also, when you have done all the things that are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants. We have done our duty.’ ”
John 13:14If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
John 19:7The Jews answered him, “We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.”
Acts 17:29Being then the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold, or silver, or stone, engraved by art and design of man.
1 Corinthians 9:10or does he say it assuredly for our sake? Yes, it was written for our sake, because he who plows ought to plow in hope, and he who threshes in hope should partake of his hope.
Romans 13:8Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law.
Romans 15:1Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves.
Romans 15:27Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, they owe it to them also to serve them in fleshly things.
2 Corinthians 12:14Behold, this is the third time I am ready to come to you, and I will not be a burden to you; for I seek not your possessions, but you. For the children ought not to save up for the parents, but the parents for the children.
1 Corinthians 5:10yet not at all meaning with the sexual sinners of this world, or with the covetous and extortionists, or with idolaters; for then you would have to leave the world.
1 Corinthians 7:36But if any man thinks that he is behaving inappropriately toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of her age, and if need so requires, let him do what he desires. He doesn’t sin. Let them marry.
1 Corinthians 11:7For a man indeed ought not to have his head covered, because he is the image and glory of God, but the woman is the glory of the man.
1 Corinthians 11:10For this cause the woman ought to have authority over her own head, because of the angels.
2 Corinthians 12:11I have become foolish in boasting. You compelled me, for I ought to have been commended by you, for I am in no way inferior to the very best apostles, though I am nothing.
Ephesians 5:28Even so husbands also ought to love their own wives as their own bodies. He who loves his own wife loves himself.
2 Thessalonians 1:3We are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers, even as it is appropriate, because your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another abounds,
2 Thessalonians 2:13But we are bound to always give thanks to God for you, brothers loved by the Lord, because God chose you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief in the truth,
Philemon 1:18But if he has wronged you at all or owes you anything, put that to my account.
Hebrews 2:17Therefore he was obligated in all things to be made like his brothers, that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make atonement for the sins of the people.
Hebrews 5:3Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself.
Hebrews 5:12For although by this time you should be teachers, you again need to have someone teach you the rudiments of the first principles of the revelations of God. You have come to need milk, and not solid food.
1 John 2:6he who says he remains in him ought himself also to walk just like he walked.
1 John 3:16By this we know love, because he laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
1 John 4:11Beloved, if God loved us in this way, we also ought to love one another.
3 John 1:8We therefore ought to receive such, that we may be fellow workers for the truth.