What does the Bible say about creditors?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that creditors should act with justice, mercy, and respect for the dignity of those who owe them, while borrowers should deal honestly and avoid reckless debt. Deuteronomy 24:10-11 forbids humiliating a debtor by entering his house to seize a pledge, and Exodus 22:26 requires returning a poor man’s cloak by nightfall. Proverbs 22:26-27 and Proverbs 6:1 warn against rashly guaranteeing another’s debt, since borrowing can bring serious bondage. Nehemiah 5:3 rebukes exploitation through debt, while Philemon 1:18 models a willingness to bear another’s obligation. Christians should therefore pursue lawful repayment, generous compassion, and freedom from oppressive lending.
Study outline
Curated topical outlines from classic public-domain study works.
Torrey's New Topical Textbook
- Defined Philemon 1:18
- Might demand
- Pledges Deuteronomy 24:10; Deuteronomy 24:11; Proverbs 22:27
- Security of others Proverbs 6:1; Proverbs 22:26
- Mortgages on property Nehemiah 5:3
- Bills or promissory notes Luke 16:6; Luke 16:7
- To return before sunset, garments taken in pledge Exodus 22:26; Exodus 22:27; Deuteronomy 24:12; Deuteronomy 24:13; Ezekiel 18:7; Ezekiel 18:12
- Prohibited from
- Taking millstones in pledge Deuteronomy 24:6
- Violently selecting pledges Deuteronomy 24:10
- Exacting usury from brethren Exodus 22:25; Leviticus 25:36; Leviticus 25:37
- Exacting debts from brethren during sabbatical year Deuteronomy 15:2; Deuteronomy 15:3
- Might take interest from strangers Deuteronomy 23:20
- Sometimes entirely remitted debts Nehemiah 5:10-12; Matthew 18:27; Luke 7:42
- Often cruel in exacting debts Nehemiah 5:7-9; Job 24:3-9; Matthew 18:28-30
- Often exacted debts
- By selling the debtor or taking him for a servant Matthew 18:25; Exodus 21:2
- By selling the debtor’s property Matthew 18:25
- By selling the debtor’s family 2 Kings 4:1; Job 24:9; Matthew 18:25
- By imprisonment Matthew 5:25; Matthew 5:26; Matthew 18:34
- From the sureties Proverbs 11:15; Proverbs 22:26; Proverbs 22:27
- Were often defrauded 1 Samuel 22:2; Luke 16:5-7
- Illustrative of
- God’s claim upon men Matthew 5:25; Matthew 5:26; Matthew 18:23; Matthew 18:25; Luke 7:41; Luke 7:47
- The demands of the law Galatians 5:3
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