Who has fulfilled the Law according to Romans 13:8?
The one who loves another has fulfilled the Law, because God’s love is operating in that believer. Scripture says love is the fulfilling of the law, not by human effort but by the Holy Spirit’s power working in the believer.
Les explains that Romans 13:8 teaches that the believer who loves another has fulfilled the Law because the love of God is operating in him. He connects this to Romans 13:10, where love works no ill to a neighbor, and therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. Les emphasizes that nothing we can do in ourselves could fulfill the law, but when the love of God is imparted through the power of the Holy Spirit and works in our life, then we fulfill the whole law. He also links this to Romans 8:4, that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit, and he notes that true salvation produces a changed lifestyle, appetites, and thought process as we come under the control of the Spirit of God.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
More Questions
What does Romans 13:8 mean that he who loves another has fulfilled the Law?
Romans 13:8 teaches that the one who loves another has fulfilled the Law—every part of it.
How can loving another person fulfill the Law?
When a believer loves another, that is actually the love of God operating in him, and he has therefore fulfilled the Law.