Early Christian Beliefs About Debt

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...God, so that as a man He suffered for us, and as God He might have compassion on us and forgive our debts, which made us debtors to God our Creator. And so David said beforehand, "Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not counted sin;" indicating the forgiveness of sins that comes with His coming, by which "He has destroyed the record" of our debt and "nailed it to the cross;" so that just as through a tree we became debtors to God, through a tree we may also obtain the forgiveness of our debt.

Irenaeus, Against Heresies: Book V Direct teaching

...d submission to, our Maker. For this reason, He has taught us to say in prayer, “And forgive us our debts,” since indeed He is our Father, whose debtors we were, having transgressed His commandments. But who is this Being? Is He some unknown one, a Father who gives no commandment to anyone? Or is He the God who is proclaimed in the Scriptures, to whom we were debtors, having transgressed His commandment? The commandment was given to man by the Word. For Adam, it is said, “heard the voice of the God.” Rightly then does His Word say to man, “Your sins are forgiven you;” He, the same one against whom we had sinned in the beginning, grants forgiveness of sins in the end. But if indeed we had disobeyed the command of another, and it was a different being who said, “Your sins are forgiven you,” such a one is neither good, nor true, nor just. For how can he be good, who does not give from what belongs to himself? Or how can he be just, who takes away the goods of another? And in what way can sins truly be forgiven, unless He against whom we have sinned has Himself granted forgiveness “through the bowels of mercy of our God,” in which “He has visited us” through His Son?

Tertullian, On Prayer Background

Moreover, debt is, in the Scriptures, a figure of guilt;

Colossians 2:14 Direct teaching

by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

Didache, The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles Direct teaching

.... Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our debt, as we also forgive our debtors. And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one (or, evil); for Yours is the power and the glory forever." Pray like this three times a day.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

22. After this we also plead for our sins, saying, "And forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors." After asking for the supply of food, we also ask for pardon for sin. This is so that the one who is fed by God may live in God, and so that not only our present and temporary life may be cared for, but also eternal life, to which we may come if our sins are forgiven. The Lord calls these debts, as He says in His Gospel, "I forgave you all that debt, because you asked me." Matthew 18:32. How necessary, wise, and saving it is that we are warned that we are sinners, since we are required to plead for our sins. And while pardon is asked from God, the soul is reminded of its own awareness of sin. This keeps anyone from flattering himself that he is innocent, and from perishing more deeply by exalting himself. He is instructed and taught that he sins daily, since he is told to ask daily for his sins to be forgiven. Moreover, John also warns us in his epistle and says, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, the Lord is faithful and just to forgive us our sins." In his epistle he included both things: that we s

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...our will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

.... Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom forever. Amen. Pray this way three times a day, preparing yourselves beforehand, so that you may be worthy of the adoption of the Father. Otherwise, if you call Him Father in an unworthy way, you may be rebuked by Him, just as Israel, once His firstborn son, was told: "If I am a Father, where is my glory? And if I am a Lord, where is my fear?" Malachi 1:6. For the glory of fathers is the holiness of their children, and the honor of masters is the fear of their servants, while the opposite is dishonor and confusion. For He says, "Through you my name is blasphemed among the Gentiles." Isaiah 52:5.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

As also He instructed us by His prayer to say unto God: Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Matthew 6:12 Direct teaching

And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Cyprian, Treatises Direct teaching

...has clearly added the law and bound us with a certain condition and obligation: we must ask for our debts to be forgiven in the same way that we ourselves forgive our debtors. We must know that what we ask for concerning our sins cannot be obtained unless we also have acted in the same way toward our debtors. Therefore He also says in another place, "With what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you again." And the servant who, after his master had forgiven him all his debt, would not forgive his fellow servant, is thrown back into prison. Because he would not forgive his fellow servant, he lost the mercy that his lord had shown him. Christ also sets these things forth more urgently in His commands, with even greater force in His rebuke. "When you stand praying," He says, "forgive, if you have anything against any, so that your Father who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive you your trespasses." No ground of excuse remains on the day of judgment, when you will be judged by your own sentence, and whatever you have done, you also will suffer. For God commands us to be peacemakers, to be

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Direct teaching

...he answered, saying, "Master, say on." And the Lord said, "There was a certain creditor who had two debtors, one who had five hundred pence, and the other fifty. When they had nothing to pay, he forgave both. Which of these loved most?" And Simon answered, "Assuredly, he to whom he forgave most." And He added, saying, "Do you see that woman? I entered into your house. You gave me no kiss. But she has not ceased to kiss my feet. You did not wash my feet, but she has washed them with her tears, and wiped them with her hair. You did not anoint my feet with oil, but she has anointed them. Therefore I say to you, Simon, that her sins are forgiven her." Behold, the Lord grants the debt with His liberal kindness to both debtors. Behold Him who pardons sins. Behold the woman who was a sinner, penitent, weeping, praying, and receiving remission of her sins!

Early Liturgies, Divine Liturgy of St. James Direct teaching

...n of the living God, Lamb and Shepherd, who takes away the sin of the world, who freely forgave the debt of the two debtors and gave remission of her sins to the woman who was a sinner, who gave healing to the paralytic along with the remission of his sins: forgive, remit, and pardon, O God, our offenses, voluntary and involuntary, in knowledge and in ignorance, by transgression and by disobedience, which Your all-holy Spirit knows better than Your servants do.

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

Your debts shall be remitted to you when you yourself shall have forgiven.

Anonymous, Treatise Against the Heretic Novatian Supporting witness

Behold, the Lord grants the debt with His liberal kindness to both debtors;

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

...ay you everything.” Then the lord of that servant had compassion, released him, and forgave him his debt. But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred pence. He seized him, treated him harshly, and said to him, “Give me what you owe.” So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, “Give me time, and I will pay you.” But he would not. Instead, he took him and threw him into prison until he should pay his debt. When their fellow servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed, and they came and told their lord all that had taken place. Then his lord called him and said to him, “You wicked servant, I forgave you all that debt because you begged me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?” And his lord became angry and delivered him to the scourgers until he should pay all that he owed. So my Father who is in heaven will do to you, if each one of you does not forgive his brother's wrong conduct from his heart. Take heed within yourselves: if your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he acts wrongly toward you seven times in a day, and on th

Matthew 18:27 Direct teaching

And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18:34 Supporting witness

And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt.

Matthew 18:28 Supporting witness

But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Direct teaching

...ring, much could be said. But let it be enough to note that the law forbids a brother from charging interest. By “brother,” it means not only someone born of the same parents, but also someone of the same race and way of thinking, and a sharer in the same word. It considers it right not to charge interest on money, but to give with open hands and an open heart to those who are in need. For God, who is the author and giver of such grace, accepts as fitting interest the most precious things found among men: mildness, gentleness, greatness of soul, good reputation, and renown. Do you not see this command as full of love for mankind? In the same way, the command to pay the wages of the poor each day teaches that wages owed for work should be paid without delay. For, I think, when a poor person has suffered need, his readiness for what lies ahead is weakened. Further, it says, “Let not the creditor enter the debtor’s house to take the pledge by force.” Instead, let the creditor ask for it to be brought out, and let the debtor, if he has it, not hesitate to bring it. Deuteronomy 24:10-11 And during harvest, owners are forbidden to gather for themselves what falls from the handfuls. Al

Tertullian, Against Marcion Direct teaching

... words of Ezekiel. There He says of the just man mentioned before, "He has not given his money upon usury, nor will he take any increase"—meaning the excess of interest, which is usury. The first step was to remove the profit from the money lent. That way a man might more easily be trained to accept the loss, if it should happen, of the money itself, after he had learned to lose the interest. Now we affirm that this was the function of the law as a preparation for the gospel. It was forming the faith of those who would learn, by gradual steps, for the perfect light of Christian teaching. Through the best precepts of which it was capable, it was teaching a benevolence that as yet showed itself only falteringly. For in the passage of Ezekiel quoted above He says, "And you shall restore the pledge of the loan"—certainly to the man who is unable to repay. For of course He would not prescribe the return of a pledge to one who was able to pay. It is commanded much more clearly in Deuteronomy: "You shall not sleep upon his pledge; you shall be sure to return to him his garment about sunset, and he shall sleep in his own garment." Deuteronomy 24:12-13. Even clearer is an earlier passage

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

Let any bishop, presbyter, or deacon who charges interest to those he lends to either stop doing so or be removed from office.

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

44. Let a bishop, or presbyter, or deacon who requires usury of those he lends to, either leave off to do so, or let him be deprived.

Clement of Alexandria, The Stromata (Miscellanies) Supporting witness

deeming it right not to take usury for money, but with open hands and heart to bestow on those who need.

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness

He will not give his money to usury, for that is to seek after gain from the evils of others;

Deuteronomy 23:19 Background

“You shall not charge interest on loans to your brother, interest on money, interest on food, interest on anything that is lent for interest.

Exodus 22:25 Background

If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.

Leviticus 25:37 Background

You shall not lend him your money for usury, nor lend him your food at a profit.

Leviticus 25:36 Background

Take no usury or interest from him; but fear your God, that your brother may live with you.

Exodus 22:24 Background

And if thou shouldest lend money to thy poor brother who is by thee, thou shalt not be hard upon him, thou shalt not exact usury of him.

Deuteronomy 23:20 Background

You may charge a foreigner interest, but you may not charge your brother interest, that the LORD your God may bless you in all that you undertake in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.

Hermas, The Shepherd (Pastor) Supporting witness

...ith, but turning them back and restoring them to peace of mind, admonishing sinners, not oppressing debtors and the needy, and if there are any other actions like these. Do these seem good to you?" he says. And I said, "What, sir, is better than these?" "Walk in them, then," he says, "and do not restrain yourself from them, and you will live to God. Keep, therefore, this commandment. If you do good, and do not restrain yourself from it, you will live to God. All who act in this way will live to God. And again, if you refuse to do evil, and restrain yourself from it, you will live to God. And all will live to God who keep these commandments and walk in them."

Cyprian, Treatises Supporting witness

... him, how does the love of God dwell in him?" 1 John 3:17. For if by giving alms to the poor we are lending to God—and when it is given to the least, it is given to Christ—then there is no reason for anyone to put earthly things before heavenly things, or human things before divine things.

Lactantius, The Epitome of the Divine Institutes Supporting witness

...l not steal, and he will not desire anything that belongs to another. He will not lend his money at interest, because that is to seek profit from the troubles of others. However, he also will not refuse to lend if someone's need forces that person to borrow. He must not be harsh toward a son or toward a slave. He must remember that he himself has a Father and a Master. He will act toward them in the same way he would want others to act toward him. He will not accept excessive gifts from those who have fewer resources than he does. For it is not right that the wealth of the rich should be increased by the losses of the miserable.

Lactantius, The Divine Institutes Supporting witness

If he shall have lent any money, he will not receive interest, that the benefit may be unimpaired which succours necessity, and that he may entirely abstain from the property of another.

Commodianus, Writings Supporting witness

...s commanded that such especially should be fed. Consider this: when you feed the sick, you are also lending to the Most High. In this thing, the Lord has wished that you should stand before Him approved.

Novatian, Treatise Concerning the Trinity Background

...washed, returning to the children the claim of hospitality which formerly the Father had put out to interest to Him. From this also, so that there might be no doubt that it was He who was the guest of Abraham at the destruction of the people of Sodom, it is declared: "Then the Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrha fire and brimstone from the Lord out of heaven." For the prophet also said in the person of God: "I have overthrown you, as the Lord overturned Sodom and Gomorrha." Therefore the Lord overturned Sodom, that is, God overturned Sodom. But in the overthrow of Sodom, the Lord rained fire from the Lord. And this Lord was the God seen by Abraham. And this God was the guest of Abraham, certainly seen because He was also touched. But although the Father, being invisible, surely was not seen at that time, He who was accustomed to be touched and seen was seen and received with hospitality. But this was the Son of God: "The Lord rained from the Lord upon Sodom and Gomorrha brimstone and fire." And this is the Word of God. And the Word of God was made flesh and dwelt among us. And this is Christ. It was not the Father, then, who was a guest with Abraham, but Christ. Nor was it

Apostolic Constitutions, Apostolic Constitutions Supporting witness

...ires, instead they go from one neighbor's house to another and trouble them. They heap up plenty of money for themselves, lend at harsh interest, and care only about mammon, whose money bag is their god. They put eating and drinking before all virtue, saying, "Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die." They value these things as though they were lasting and not perishing. For she who gives herself to nothing but talk about money worships mammon instead of God. That is, she is a servant to gain, but cannot be pleasing to God or devoted to His worship. She is not able to intercede with Him continually, because her mind and disposition run after money. For where the treasure is, there the heart will be also. In her mind she is thinking about where she may go to receive something, or that a certain woman, her friend, has forgotten her, and she has something to say to her. A woman who thinks about such things will no longer pay attention to her prayers, but to that thought which comes to her. So even if at times she would pray for someone, she will not be heard, because she does not offer her petition to the Lord with her whole heart, but with a divided mind. But she who gives atten

Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor (Paedagogus) Supporting witness

...onomy 5. And so on. These things must be kept, along with whatever else is commanded in reading the Bible. And by Isaiah He commands us: "Wash yourselves, and make yourselves clean. Put away wickedness from your souls before my eyes. Learn to do good. Seek judgment. Rescue the wronged. Judge for the orphan, and justify the widow. And come, and let us reason together," says the Lord. And we will find many examples in other places also. For example, about prayer, Scripture says, "Good works are an acceptable prayer to the Lord." And the manner of prayer is described: "If you see the naked, cover him, and do not overlook those who belong to your own seed. Then your light shall break forth early, and your healing shall spring up quickly; and your righteousness shall go before you, and the glory of God shall surround you." What, then, is the fruit of such prayer? "Then you shall call, and God will hear you; while you are still speaking, He will say, 'I am here.'"

Barnabas, Connection to Matthew 5:42 Supporting witness

Thou shalt not hesitate to give, nor murmur when thou givest. "Give to every one that asketh thee,"

Didache, Connection to Matthew 5:42 Supporting witness

"Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee do not shut thy hand."

Tatian, The Diatessaron Supporting witness

Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good to them, and lend, and cut not off the hope of any man;

Matthew 5:42 Background

Give to the one who begs from you, and do not refuse the one who would borrow from you.