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Begin wherever your curiosity leads. The studies will be here when you’re ready. When I shared my first Matthew study on Facebook today, I mentioned that I planned to post daily, though I might not share every post on Facebook. As I continue setting up this blog, I’ve realized that what matters most to me is making my past studies available for anyone who wants to explore them. For now, I’ll be adding posts to my heart’s content as I work through those studies. Some days that may mean one post; other days it may mean several. I’ll continue reading through and preparing each one before sharing it. There is no need to keep up with everything as it appears. This blog is becoming a place you can browse at your own pace—begin with a book, a question, or a study that interests you, and follow from there. The Bible Books page gathers studies by book, while Study Threads helps connect topics that travel through more than one book. The labels on individual posts also bring related material to...
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79. Ten Commandments: Love Does Not Work Evil Against a Neighbor

God’s Image Study • Commandment 6: You Shall Not Murder

Our examination of murder has brought us through hatred, persecution, false testimony, anger, and reconciliation. Romans 13 now connects the commandment directly with love.

Paul names the command

In Romans 13:9, Paul includes “YOU SHALL NOT MURDER” alongside the commands against adultery, stealing, and coveting. These commandments appear in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. He then brings them together through the instruction to love our neighbor. Read Romans 13:8–9, Exodus 20:13–17, and Deuteronomy 5:17–21.

He explains:

“Love does not work evil against a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the Law.”

— Romans 13:10, LSB

What does love do?

The Greek wording keeps the action clear:

  • ἀγάπη — agapē (G26): love.

  • κακόν — kakon, from κακός — kakos (G2556): evil.

  • ἐργάζεται — ergazetai, from ἐργάζομαι — ergazomai (G2038): works or does.

  • πλήρωμα — plērōma (G4138): fulfillment.

The sentence describes love by what it does not work against another person. Paul’s conclusion follows from that relationship: love fulfills the law. Examine Romans 13:10 in Greek.

This gives us a direct way to examine our conduct. Does what I am doing agree with the love the commandment requires?

Keep God and neighbor together

This returns us to Jesus’ answer in Matthew 22:37–40. He identifies love for God as the foremost commandment, then names love for our neighbor. The whole Law and the Prophets hang on these two. Read Matthew 22:37–40.

His first answer draws from Deuteronomy 6:5, concerning YHWH (יהוה). His second draws from Leviticus 19:18:

“YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”

— Matthew 22:39, LSB

The command against murder belongs within this relationship between loving God and treating our neighbor according to His instruction.

Love expressed in action and truth

First John 3 places Christ’s giving of his life beside our responsibility toward our brothers. John then gives a practical example: seeing a brother’s need while possessing the means to help, yet withholding compassion. He questions how God’s love abides in that person. Read 1 John 3:16–17.

Verse 18 directs love into action and truth. The passage moves from hatred and death to the giving of life and practical care. Read 1 John 3:14–18.

Knowing the commandment therefore brings a responsibility to examine what our words, decisions, and actions are producing in another person’s life.

Threads to Follow

  • Love before impressive claims: Keep speech, knowledge, faith, and sacrifice beside Paul’s examination of love. 1 Corinthians 13:1–3.

  • Life and obedience: Follow the connection between choosing life, loving God, hearing His voice, and holding fast to Him. Deuteronomy 30:19–20.

  • Gathering the study together: Retain the connections between intention, hatred, testimony, speech, and the love that does no evil to a neighbor.

The books were opened…

🌿 By Maria Emilia

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