Crusade BibleCrusade Bible
Pourbus, Rechtvaardige RechterAttributed to Pieter Pourbus · 1570–00

Debtor

/DET-er/

Summary

One who owes money or obligation to another, used literally of financial obligation and figuratively of moral and spiritual indebtedness to God.

☩Treatment of Debtors

Mosaic law protected debtors from excessive hardship. Certain necessities could not be taken in pledge, and pledges must be returned before sundown. Yet by Jesus' time, debtors could be imprisoned until payment was made. Jesus' parables reflect both severe treatment of debtors and the mercy He commends.

Key verses:Exodus 22:25-27Matthew 5:25-26Matthew 18:25-30

☩Spiritual Debt

The Lord's Prayer uses debt as a metaphor for sin: 'Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.' The parable of the Two Debtors illustrates that those who realize how much they have been forgiven will love much. Paul called himself 'debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians'—obligated to share the gospel with all.

Key verses:Matthew 6:12Luke 7:41-43Romans 1:14

Related Verses23 mentions

Matthew· 6 verses

5:255:266:1218:2318:25

Leviticus· 3 verses

25:1425:2525:47

Romans· 3 verses

1:148:1215:27

Exodus· 2 verses

21:222:10

See Also

The Parable of the Unmerciful Servanttitle QS:P1476,en:"The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant"
Creditor
The Parable of the Unmerciful Servanttitle QS:P1476,en:"The Parable of the Unmerciful Servant"
Debt
Poor
Poor

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Debtor," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. II (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.James Orr (ed.), "Debt; Debtor," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. II (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).