Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Paying Debt?

11 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Paying Debt in the Bible

What does the Bible say about paying debt? Browse 11 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.

11
Total Verses
8
Old Testament
3
New Testament

Top 10 Verses About Paying Debt

  1. 1
    Leviticus 19:11
    Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Numbers 30:2
    If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. break: Heb. profane
    KJV
  3. 3
    Psalms 37:21
    The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Proverbs 3:27
    Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. them: Heb. the owners thereof
    KJV
  5. 5
    Proverbs 3:28
    Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
    KJV
  6. 6
    Proverbs 22:7
    The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender . the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth
    KJV
  7. 7
    Proverbs 22:26
    Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
    KJV
  8. 8
    Ecclesiastes 5:5
    Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.
    KJV
  9. 9
    Romans 13:5
    Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
    KJV
  10. 10
    Romans 13:7
    Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
    KJV

Subtopics of Paying Debt

paying debts

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Paying Debt? (8 Verses)

Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another.
If a man vow a vow unto the LORD, or swear an oath to bind his soul with a bond; he shall not break his word, he shall do according to all that proceedeth out of his mouth. break: Heb. profane
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it. them: Heb. the owners thereof
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender . the lender: Heb. the man that lendeth
Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts.
Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Paying Debt? (3 Verses)

Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

How to Study What the Bible Says About Paying Debt

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about paying debt. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about paying debt and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about paying debt is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on paying debt needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about paying debt with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about paying debt, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Paying Debt?

You have studied 11 verses about paying debt. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about paying debt?
What does the Bible say about paying debt? Browse 11 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme. The Bible contains 11 key verses about paying debt spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about paying debt are there?
There are 11 key Bible verses about paying debt compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about paying debt?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about paying debt is Leviticus 19:11 — "Ye shall not steal, neither deal falsely, neither lie one to another."
Where in the Bible does it talk about paying debt?
Paying Debt is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 11 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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