'Obligation' in the Bible

But you say, ‘If anyone says to his father or mother, “Whatever [money or resource that] I have that would help you is [already dedicated and] given to God,”

He said, ‘A hundred measures of [olive] oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’

Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

So you too, when you have done everything that was assigned and commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants [undeserving of praise or a reward, for we have not gone beyond our obligation]; we have merely done what we ought to do.’”

So if I, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you ought to wash one another’s feet as well.

I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish.

Now to someone who works, wages are not considered a gift but an obligation.

Consequently, brothers, we are not with respect to human nature, that is under an obligation to live according to human nature.

Now we who are strong have an obligation to bear the weaknesses of those without strength, and not to please ourselves.

Yes, they have kindly done this, and, in fact, it was a debt they owed them. For seeing that the Gentiles have been admitted in to partnership with the Jews in their spiritual blessings, they in turn are under an obligation to render sacred service to the Jews in temporal things.

A husband should fulfill his obligation to his wife, and a wife should do the same for her husband.

But if the unbelieving partner leaves, let him go. In such cases the brother or sister is not under obligation. God has called you to live in peace.

Am I not free [unrestrained and exempt from any obligation]? Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our [risen] Lord [in person]? Are you not [the result and proof of] my work in the Lord?

For if I preach the gospel, I have no reason to boast, because an obligation is placed on me. And woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!

For if I preach voluntarily, I get a reward, but if I am unwilling to do it, I am still entrusted with that obligation.

And all [of them] were baptized into Moses [into his safekeeping as their leader] in the cloud and in the sea;

And I testify again to every man who receives circumcision, that he is under obligation to keep the whole Law.

But if a widow has children or grandchildren [who are adults], see to it that these first learn to show great respect to their own family [as their religious duty and natural obligation], and to compensate their parents or grandparents [for their upbringing]; for this is acceptable and pleasing in the sight of God.

If anyone fails to provide for his own, and especially for those of his own family, he has denied the faith [by disregarding its precepts] and is worse than an unbeliever [who fulfills his obligation in these matters].

But I didn’t want to do anything without your consent, so that your good deed might not be out of obligation, but of your own free will.