The term "oblige" in a biblical context often relates to the concepts of duty, responsibility, and the moral or spiritual compulsion to act in accordance with God's will and commandments. While the specific word "oblige" may not frequently appear in the Bible, the underlying principles are woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the believer's duty to God and others.

Duty to God

The Bible consistently underscores the obligation of believers to love, worship, and obey God. This duty is rooted in the recognition of God's sovereignty and His gracious acts toward humanity. In Deuteronomy 6:5, the commandment to love God with all one's heart, soul, and strength is a foundational obligation: "Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength" . This commandment is reiterated by Jesus in the New Testament as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37-38).

Obligation to Obey God's Commandments

Obedience to God's commandments is a central theme in Scripture, reflecting the believer's obligation to live a life pleasing to God. In John 14:15, Jesus states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" . This verse highlights the intrinsic link between love for Christ and the obligation to follow His teachings. The Apostle Paul further emphasizes this in Romans 12:1, urging believers to present their bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, as a reasonable act of worship.

Responsibility to Others

The Bible also teaches the obligation to love and serve others, reflecting God's love and compassion. The second greatest commandment, as stated by Jesus, is to "Love your neighbor as yourself" (Matthew 22:39). This obligation extends to acts of kindness, justice, and mercy, as seen in Micah 6:8: "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" .

Bearing One Another's Burdens

The Apostle Paul instructs believers to support and care for one another, fulfilling the law of Christ. In Galatians 6:2, he writes, "Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ" . This obligation to bear each other's burdens is a practical expression of love and community within the body of Christ.

Stewardship and Service

Believers are also obliged to be good stewards of the resources and gifts God has entrusted to them. This includes the responsible use of time, talents, and treasures for the advancement of God's kingdom. In 1 Peter 4:10, it is written, "As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another" . This stewardship is an obligation that reflects gratitude and faithfulness to God.

Conclusion

The concept of obligation in the Bible encompasses a wide range of duties and responsibilities that believers are called to fulfill. These obligations are not burdensome but are expressions of love, faith, and devotion to God and others. Through obedience, service, and stewardship, believers demonstrate their commitment to living according to God's will and purpose.1. (v. t.) To attach, as by a bond.

2. (v. t.) To constrain by physical, moral, or legal force; to put under obligation to do or forbear something.

3. (v. t.) To bind by some favor rendered; to place under a debt; hence, to do a favor to; to please; to gratify; to accommodate.

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... Whether moved by his arguments or by a wish to oblige a person of so much importance
as the British Ambassador, the Cabinet of Madrid now exhibit a manifest ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 12.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... 'In respect to the printing of the New Testament in the Manchou language, the
undersigned oblige themselves to undertake the printing of the said work. ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 9.htm

All Internal Livers Obliged to Attend to God's Inspirations. ...
... leisure to attend unto God and the gaining of His love even for a few minutes every
day, or little oftener than the laws of the Church necessarily oblige him. ...
/.../chapter v all internal livers.htm

A Memorial
... of venial sins and daily defects which some souls do make in their confessions with
great anxiety of mind, and which some confessors do oblige their penitents ...
/.../baker/holy wisdom or directions for the prayer of contemplation/a memorial.htm

Of Vocal Prayer. ...
... 5. The second condition is, that those who use vocal prayer must oblige themselves
to spend a greater time at their daily exercises than is necessary for the ...
/.../chapter ii of vocal prayer .htm

That it is not Lawful for the Well Affected Subjects to Concur in ...
... otherwise had been unlawful. It is known that human laws oblige not, but
as they have connexion with God's word. Now if that law ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/section iv that it is.htm

Business Phrases
... An early reply will greatly oblige. Answering your recent inquiry. ... Your early attention
to this matter will oblige. Your further orders will be esteemed. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/section vi business phrases.htm

A Change from Meditation to Prayer of the Will is Necessary in an ...
... to be the rule and measure of all her spiritual exercises, and upon no colours or
conceits of perfection in any subject or exercise, to oblige herself thereto ...
/.../chapter v a change from.htm

The Necessity and Benefits of Religious Society
... not at all, since providence seems wisely to have assigned a particular product
to almost each particular country, on purpose, as it were, to oblige us to be ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the necessity and benefits of.htm

The Daily Walk with Others (I. ).
... "NOBLESSE OBLIGE.". ... But it is the sort of independence which carries also the
deepest obligation, the strongest sort of noblesse oblige. ...
/.../moule/to my younger brethren/chapter iv the daily walk.htm

Oblige (1 Occurrence)
... to accommodate. Multi-Version Concordance Oblige (1 Occurrence). Acts
24:27 But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved ...
/o/oblige.htm - 7k

Obliging (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Oblige. 2. (a.) Putting under obligation; disposed to oblige
or do favors; hence, helpful; civil; kind. Multi-Version Concordance ...
/o/obliging.htm - 7k

Obligations (10 Occurrences)

/o/obligations.htm - 9k

Kindly (57 Occurrences)
... 4. (adv.) Naturally; fitly. 5. (adv.) In a kind manner; congenially; with good
will; with a disposition to make others happy, or to oblige. ...
/k/kindly.htm - 24k

Obliged (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Oblige. Multi-Version Concordance
Obliged (4 Occurrences). Luke 23:17 (Now he was obliged ...
/o/obliged.htm - 7k

Favour (171 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:27 But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus
as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their ...
/f/favour.htm - 37k

Tie (18 Occurrences)
... 11. (vt) To hold or constrain by authority or moral influence, as by knotted
cords; to oblige; to constrain; to restrain; to confine. 12. ...
/t/tie.htm - 13k

Relieved (8 Occurrences)
... Acts 24:27 But when two years were completed, Felix was relieved by Porcius Festus
as his successor; and Felix, desirous to oblige the Jews, to acquire their ...
/r/relieved.htm - 8k

Put (13688 Occurrences)
... put a question; to put a case. 10. (vt) To incite; to entice; to urge;
to constrain; to oblige. 11. (vt) To throw or cast with a ...
/p/put.htm - 12k

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