Original Word: ὀφειλή
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: opheilé
Pronunciation: o-fay-LAY
Phonetic Spelling: (of-i-lay')
Definition: a debt, a duty, what is due.
Meaning: The noun ὀφειλή refers to a debt or obligation. It can denote a financial debt or a moral or spiritual obligation.

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb ὀφείλω (opheilō), meaning "to owe" or "to be indebted."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: The concept of debt or obligation in the Hebrew Bible is often expressed with terms such as חוֹב (chov) or מַשָּׁא (mashsha), which can denote a financial debt or a burden. These terms are used in various contexts to describe the responsibilities and duties of individuals, similar to the Greek ὀφειλή. While there is no direct one-to-one correspondence, the thematic parallels are evident in the ethical and moral teachings of both the Old and New Testaments.

Usage: The term ὀφειλή is used in the New Testament to describe both literal and figurative debts. It appears in contexts where obligations, whether financial or moral, are discussed.

Context: The Greek term ὀφειλή (opheilē) is used in the New Testament to convey the concept of a debt or obligation. It is found in passages that address the responsibilities and duties of individuals, both in a financial sense and in a broader moral or spiritual context. The term underscores the importance of fulfilling one's obligations, whether they are to other people or to God.

In the Berean Standard Bible, ὀφειλή is used in Romans 13:7, where Paul instructs believers to "Pay everyone what you owe him: taxes to whom taxes are due, revenue to whom revenue is due, respect to whom respect is due, honor to whom honor is due." This passage highlights the Christian duty to fulfill obligations to governing authorities and others, reflecting a broader principle of integrity and responsibility.

The concept of ὀφειλή also extends to spiritual obligations, as seen in the broader biblical narrative. Believers are called to recognize their indebtedness to God for His grace and to live in a manner that reflects gratitude and obedience. This understanding of ὀφειλή as a moral and spiritual duty is consistent with the teachings of Jesus and the apostles, who emphasized love, service, and the fulfillment of God's commandments as central to the Christian life.

Cognate: 3782 opheilḗ (a feminine noun) – a specific (applied) kind of indebtedness, implying an "applied obligation" due to the debt (what is owed). See 3781 (opheiletēs).

Word Origin
from opheiló
Definition
a debt
NASB Translation
debt (1), duty (1), what is due (1).

STRONGS NT 3782: ὀφειλή

ὀφειλή, ὀφειλης, ἡ (ὀφείλω), that which is owed; properly, a debt: Matthew 18:32; metaphorical plural, dues: Romans 13:7; specifically, of conjugal duty (R. V. her due), 1 Corinthians 7:3 G L T Tr WH. Found neither in the Greek O. T. nor in secular authors; cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 90.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

debt, due.

From opheilo; indebtedness, i.e. (concretely) a sum owed; figuratively, obligation, i.e. (conjugal) duty -- debt, due.

see GREEK opheilo

Forms and Transliterations

οφειλας οφειλάς ὀφειλάς οφειλην οφειλήν ὀφειλὴν opheilas opheilás opheilen opheilēn opheilḕn

Links

Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts