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.

“Give him his dues.”

That is what we say don’t we? He has earned his spot. He worked hard to get where he is in life. His reputation is well earned. Even if it is a salary, being paid to do a job, your rendering is a matter of earning the wage you signed up for in the beginning. If you do not render profit, you have not earned your wage and you are subject to dismissal. It is all the sense of owing.

That is a change from the origin of the word according to the Hebrew usage. In various designs the meaning of render in the Old Testament was meant to be a returning of that which was lost. To return, to turn back, to repent was the original design. It was to restore back to God that which was lost to Him.

Over the years Israel tried to render unto God and kept failing. Continually man made daily sacrifices to a God who had no use for sacrifice. Why do I say that? Because God did not keep them.

Numbers 18:9 This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of their’s, every meat offering of their’s, and every sin offering of their’s, and every trespass offering of their’s which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

He gave His portion to the priests who did not share in the inheritance of the land, God was their portion. Ref. Numbers 18:24

So why the change? Why did the meaning and intent of render change?

Matthew 18:11 For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.

God came in the incarnate Christ and took back unto Himself that which was lost to Him. This changed everything, forever.