Romans 13:10

Authorized King James Version

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Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

Original Language Analysis

ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 1 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη Love G26
ἀγάπη Love
Strong's: G26
Word #: 2 of 12
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast
τῷ G3588
τῷ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 3 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πλησίον to his neighbour G4139
πλησίον to his neighbour
Strong's: G4139
Word #: 4 of 12
(adverbially) close by; as noun, a neighbor, i.e., fellow (as man, countryman, christian or friend)
κακὸν ill G2556
κακὸν ill
Strong's: G2556
Word #: 5 of 12
worthless (intrinsically, such; whereas g4190 properly refers to effects), i.e., (subjectively) depraved, or (objectively) injurious
οὐκ no G3756
οὐκ no
Strong's: G3756
Word #: 6 of 12
the absolute negative (compare g3361) adverb; no or not
ἐργάζεται· worketh G2038
ἐργάζεται· worketh
Strong's: G2038
Word #: 7 of 12
to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc
πλήρωμα is the fulfilling G4138
πλήρωμα is the fulfilling
Strong's: G4138
Word #: 8 of 12
repletion or completion, i.e., (subjectively) what fills (as contents, supplement, copiousness, multitude), or (objectively) what is filled (as contai
οὖν therefore G3767
οὖν therefore
Strong's: G3767
Word #: 9 of 12
(adverbially) certainly, or (conjunctionally) accordingly
νόμου of the law G3551
νόμου of the law
Strong's: G3551
Word #: 10 of 12
law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), genitive case (regulation), specially, (of moses (including the volume); also of the gospel), or figurat
ἡ G3588
ἡ
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 11 of 12
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀγάπη Love G26
ἀγάπη Love
Strong's: G26
Word #: 12 of 12
love, i.e., affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast

Analysis & Commentary

Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law—Hē agapē tō plēsion kakon ouk ergazetai. plērōma oun nomou hē agapē (ἡ ἀγάπη τῷ πλησίον κακὸν οὐκ ἐργάζεται. πλήρωμα οὖν νόμου ἡ ἀγάπη). Kakon ouk ergazetai (works no evil) uses the present tense—love continuously refuses to harm. Ergazomai (work/do) emphasizes active choice, not passive feeling. Love doesn't murder, steal, lie, commit adultery, or covet because these harm the neighbor.

Plērōma nomou hē agapē (πλήρωμα νόμου ἡ ἀγάπη, love is the fullness/fulfillment of the law). Plērōma (fullness) indicates completion, not abolition. The law is not discarded but fulfilled—its moral content realized through Spirit-produced love. This is the opposite of legalism (external conformity without heart-transformation) and antinomianism (rejecting moral standards). Love fulfills the law by exceeding it—not 'don't murder' but 'love your enemy'; not 'don't steal' but 'give generously.'

Historical Context

Paul's teaching on love fulfilling the law (Romans 13:8-10) parallels Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which intensifies the law's demands while revealing its heart-intention: love. The early church fathers emphasized that Christian virtue surpasses external law-keeping through Spirit-transformed desires. Augustine summarized: 'Love God and do what you will'—not license but recognition that sanctified love naturally chooses righteousness. Luther and Calvin emphasized law's 'third use'—guiding the regenerate in grateful obedience flowing from love.

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