36. Ought. Must

 
The words δεῖ, ὀφείλω (ὀφείλω) and χρή are all translated 'ought,' with other variations as to the first two. But there is a difference in their signification. Bengel says ὀφείλω denotes ‘obligation;' δεῖ ‘necessity.' ὀφείλω is to be under moral obligation, bound by duty, one ought, &c., and specially in personal aspects. See Eph. 5:2828So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. (Ephesians 5:28); 2 Cor. 12:11, 1411I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. (2 Corinthians 12:11)
14Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. (2 Corinthians 12:14); Acts 17:2929Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. (Acts 17:29); Rom. 15:11We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1); 1 John 2:6; 3:16; 4:116He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. (1 John 2:6)
16Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. (1 John 3:16)
11Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. (1 John 4:11). Compare Luke 11:44And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. (Luke 11:4) ‘indebted,' Matt. 18:28, 3028But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. (Matthew 18:28)
30And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. (Matthew 18:30). ὀφείλω (with its compounds) is with one exception the word for 'owing,' and what is owed, Philem. 1:1818If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; (Philemon 18); Rom. 13:8; 15:27, 278Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. (Romans 13:8)
27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (Romans 15:27)
27It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. (Romans 15:27), translated ‘debtor' and ‘duty.' In Luke 17:1010So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17:10) it is "that which was our duty": Heb. 2:1717Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. (Hebrews 2:17), "it behooved him": 2 Thess. 1:3; 2:133We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; (2 Thessalonians 1:3)
13But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: (2 Thessalonians 2:13), "are bound."
δεῖ is more general, denoting any kind of necessity, as that which lies in the nature of the case, or specially that which arises by divine appointment, and this gives it a greater strength: ‘must' is its most frequent rendering. See 2 Tim. 2:66The husbandman that laboreth must be first partaker of the fruits. (2 Timothy 2:6); Luke 22:77Then came the day of unleavened bread, when the passover must be killed. (Luke 22:7); John 3:7, 14, 30; 4:47Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. (John 3:7)
14And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: (John 3:14)
30He must increase, but I must decrease. (John 3:30)
4And he must needs go through Samaria. (John 4:4) ('must needs'), 24; Acts 16:3030And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30) Cor. 15:53; Heb. 9:26; 11:626For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. (Hebrews 9:26)
6But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6); Mark 14:3131But he spake the more vehemently, If I should die with thee, I will not deny thee in any wise. Likewise also said they all. (Mark 14:31) ('should,’ ‘should have to'); Acts 5:2929Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) ‘ought.' These may illustrate the general use, and the following passages, out of many, the necessity established by the will and word of God: Mat. 16:21; 17:10; 14: 6; 54; Luke 2:49; 4:43; 22:37; 24:7, 2649And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? (Luke 2:49)
43And he said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also: for therefore am I sent. (Luke 4:43)
37For I say unto you, that this that is written must yet be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end. (Luke 22:37)
7Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again. (Luke 24:7)
26Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26) ('ought'), 44; John 9:4; 20:94I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work. (John 9:4)
9For as yet they knew not the scripture, that he must rise again from the dead. (John 20:9); Acts 1:16, 2216Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled, which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. (Acts 1:16)
22Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection. (Acts 1:22) (21); 3:21; 4:12; 9:16; 14:22; 23:11; 24; 1 Cor. 15:2525For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. (1 Corinthians 15:25); 2 Cor. 5:1010For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10); 1 Tim. 3:77Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:7); Rev. 1:11The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John: (Revelation 1:1).
χρή occurs but once, Jas. 3:1010Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (James 3:10): coming from the root of χράω,’ to deliver an oracle,’ 'to be fated,' it passes into the sense of what is necessary, what behooves or is fitting (or the reverse with οὐ, negative, as in Jas. 3:1010Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. (James 3:10)). Compared with the other words, it is rather a necessity of time or circumstance, and has not the same moral force. Compare the kindred verb χρῄζω (from χρεία ‘need, necessity '): ‘to have need of,'