In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "obligated" often relates to duties, responsibilities, and commitments that individuals have towards God, others, and themselves. The term itself may not frequently appear in the text, but the underlying principles of obligation are woven throughout Scripture.

Obligations to God

The primary obligation of believers is to God, as seen in the greatest commandment. In Matthew 22:37-38 , Jesus states, "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment." This commandment underscores the obligation to love and serve God wholeheartedly. The covenant relationship between God and His people, as seen in the Old Testament, further emphasizes this obligation. In Deuteronomy 6:5 , the Israelites are commanded, "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

Obligations to Others

The Bible also speaks extensively about obligations to others. The second greatest commandment, as mentioned by Jesus in Matthew 22:39 , is "Love your neighbor as yourself." This commandment highlights the obligation to treat others with love, respect, and kindness. The Apostle Paul reiterates this in Romans 13:8 , "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love, for he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law."

Furthermore, believers are called to bear one another's burdens, as stated in Galatians 6:2 , "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." This obligation to support and care for others is a reflection of Christ's love and sacrifice.

Obligations to Self

While obligations to God and others are paramount, the Bible also acknowledges the importance of self-care and personal responsibility. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 , Paul reminds believers, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore glorify God with your body." This passage underscores the obligation to honor God through personal holiness and stewardship of one's body and life.

Obligations in Specific Roles

Scripture also outlines specific obligations related to various roles and relationships. For instance, in Ephesians 5:22-25 , Paul addresses the obligations of husbands and wives: "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord... Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for her." Similarly, parents and children have mutual obligations, as seen in Ephesians 6:1-4 , where children are instructed to obey their parents, and fathers are cautioned not to provoke their children to anger.

Obligations and the Law

The concept of obligation is also tied to the law, both the Mosaic Law and the law of Christ. In Galatians 5:14 , Paul writes, "The entire law is fulfilled in a single decree: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" This indicates that the obligations of the law are ultimately fulfilled through love.

In summary, the Bible presents a comprehensive view of obligations, emphasizing love and service to God, others, and oneself. These obligations are not merely legalistic duties but are rooted in the relational and covenantal nature of God's interaction with humanity.(imp. & p. p.) of Obligate.3784. opheilo -- to owe
... word Definition to owe NASB Word Usage had (1), have (1), indebted (2), must (1),
obligated (3), ought (15), owe (4), owed (4), owes (1), responsible (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3784.htm - 8k

Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race ...
... point in dispute is not"whether God, when man, with all his posterity, sinned of
his own fault: and became obnoxious to eternal death, was obligated to give ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 4 we teach that.htm

Prayer Essential to God
... But prayer has a larger sphere, a more obligated duty, a loftier inspiration. Prayer
concerns God, whose purposes and plans are conditioned on prayer. ...
/.../bounds/the weapon of prayer/i prayer essential to god.htm

Putting God to Work
... title given this chapter is but another way of declaring that God has of His own
motion placed Himself under the law of prayer, and has obligated Himself to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

On the Highest and Supreme Perfection of Man, in So Far as it is ...
... In fact everyone is obligated, to this loving cleaving to God as necessary for
salvation, in the form of observing the commandments and conforming to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/albert/on cleaving to god/chapter 1 on the highest.htm

Praying with Desire
... These inspiring words of Jesus disclose that He has obligated Himself to satisfy
the incessant and insistent desires of His praying people. ...
/.../anderson/prayer availeth much/chapter 6 praying with desire.htm

From Sinai to Kadesh.
... In this covenant Israel is obligated to loyalty, service and worship,
while Jehovah is to continue to protect and deliver them. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter vi from sinai to.htm

The Life of Mr. Robert Bruce.
... In gratitude for which Mr. Bruce received a congratulatory letter dated February
19th, 1590, wherein the king acknowledgeth, "He would be obligated to him all ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr robert 3.htm

Be Ye Therefore Perfect, Even as Your Father which is in Heaven is ...
... we. God is infinitely obligated to do this. His very nature, not depending
on his own volition, but uncreated, binds him to this. ...
/.../finney/lectures to professing christians/be ye therefore perfect even.htm

Examination of the Treatise
... He is obligated to perform what He promises, for He owes to Himself the immutability
of His own truth, whether He has promised it absolutely or conditionally. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/examination of the treatise.htm

Prayerless Christians
... No man is too big to pray, no matter who he is, nor what office he fills. The king
on his throne is as much obligated to pray as the peasant in his cottage. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/v prayerless christians.htm

Obligated (9 Occurrences)
...Obligated (9 Occurrences). ... Matthew 23:18 'Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obligated?' (WEB NAS). ...
/o/obligated.htm - 9k

Swears (16 Occurrences)
... Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' (WEB WEY ...
/s/swears.htm - 11k

Swear (99 Occurrences)
... Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' (Root in ...
/s/swear.htm - 39k

Nothing (769 Occurrences)
... Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' (WEB KJV ...
/n/nothing.htm - 40k

Anyone (514 Occurrences)
... 16 "Woe to you, you blind guides, who say,'Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing;
but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obligated.' (See NIV ...
/a/anyone.htm - 33k

Righteousness (442 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 5:8, 23). There was increasing realization also of what God, as
a moral Being, is obligated to do. The hope of salvation ...
/r/righteousness.htm - 56k

Obligation (17 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) The state of being obligated or bound; the state of being indebted for an
act of favor or kindness; as, to place others under obligations to one. ...
/o/obligation.htm - 12k

Obligate (2 Occurrences)

/o/obligate.htm - 7k

Obligates (4 Occurrences)

/o/obligates.htm - 7k

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