The Biblical Definition of Debt

What is a debt?

In Scripture, 'debt' extends beyond financial obligations to include moral and spiritual responsibilities, as seen in teachings on forgiveness and ethical conduct.

The Gospels explicitly link debt to spiritual accountability in the Lord’s Prayer. The prayer says, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). Luke 11:4). Here, 'debts' metaphorically represent sins or moral failings, emphasizing the reciprocal nature of divine and human forgiveness. This contrasts with modern usage, where 'debt' typically refers to monetary liabilities rather than ethical or relational obligations.

Biblical texts also frame moral duties - such as love for neighbors (Matthew 22:39) or justice for the marginalized - as spiritual 'debts' owed to God and others. Such language underscores the holistic biblical view of obligation, where financial and moral responsibilities are interconnected. This perspective sets the stage for understanding how Scripture addresses debt in both material and spiritual realms.

Debt in the Lord's Prayer

In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus redefines ‘debt’ as a spiritual metaphor for sin, reshaping how believers understand forgiveness.

The plea ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors’ (Matthew 6:12) underscores the reciprocal relationship between divine mercy and human accountability, framing sin as an ethical obligation owed to God and others. This metaphor prioritizes spiritual reconciliation over material transactions, a theme echoed in Luke 11:4.

By contrast, Proverbs 22:7 - ‘The borrower is servant to the lender’ - addresses literal financial debt, illustrating how material obligations can entrap individuals socially and economically. While the Lord’s Prayer elevates debt as a moral and relational concept, Proverbs highlights the tangible consequences of material indebtedness. This duality invites reflection on how spiritual and material responsibilities intersect in biblical ethics, setting the stage for deeper exploration of justice and mercy in Scripture.

The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant

In Matthew 18:21-35, Jesus tells the parable of a servant whose immense debt is forgiven by his king, only to refuse mercy toward a fellow servant owed a fraction of that amount.

The story underscores that forgiveness is not a transaction but a moral imperative, reflecting the grace we ourselves have received. The unforgiving servant’s hypocrisy - grateful for his own pardon yet cruel to another - exemplifies the failure to internalize divine mercy. Jesus uses this contrast to teach that our willingness to forgive others is directly tied to our acceptance of God’s forgiveness.

By framing debt as a metaphor for spiritual obligation, the parable warns against reducing forgiveness to a mere calculation of worthiness. The servant’s moral bankruptcy, despite his financial reprieve, illustrates the cost of rejecting grace - a theme that deepens the biblical call to ethical consistency in the following discussion of relational accountability.

How to Read debts Correctly

To interpret debt in Scripture, readers must discern between its literal economic applications and metaphorical spiritual implications.

Leviticus 25:35-38 illustrates the cultural framework for material debt, mandating that lenders forgive debts to Israelites in need and avoid exploiting them with interest. Metaphorical uses, like in Matthew 6:12, reframe debt as a spiritual obligation to seek forgiveness, intertwining economic and moral responsibility. This duality invites readers to consider how both material and ethical contexts shape biblical teachings on debt.

These principles connect debt to broader biblical themes of justice and mercy, emphasizing that economic practices must reflect divine compassion. This sets the stage for exploring how Scripture balances accountability with grace in legal and relational contexts.

Going Deeper

Paul’s letters expand the biblical understanding of debt by linking it to the ethical imperative of love, as seen in Romans 13:8.

This verse frames love as the fulfillment of the law, inviting readers to explore how this principle reshapes modern discussions of obligation and justice. Further study might consider how Paul’s teachings intersect with contemporary issues of financial responsibility and relational accountability.