Are these two examples of "noun phrases"?

Question

If so, I am having trouble understanding the use of the articles "el and la". If not, I'm still having trouble understanding the article usage in this passage. I have 'bolded' the article in question.

In the NVI bible, Romans 13:8 reads like this: No tengan deudas pendientes con nadie, a no ser la de amarse unos a otros.

In the Reina Valera it reads like this: No debáis a nadie nada, sino el amaros unos a otros; porque el que ama al prójimo, ha cumplido la ley.

Aren't the phrases "de amarse unos a otros" and "amaros unos a otros" being treated as nouns? If so, why is one article feminine and the other masculine?

"a no ser la de amarse unos a otros" = unless the loving one another

"sino el amaros unos a otros" = but the you love one another.

Can you help me understand those two articles la and el?

Gracias

jack, I'm just hesitantly trying to help, interesting to see more knowledgable answers. - annierats, Jan 10, 2012

and I appreciate it very much! - Jack-OBrien, Jan 10, 2012

Maybe you will get more help if you re-phrase the question, there are always lots of very basic questions about el and la, the better brains may not notice that this is a different question from the run of the mill. It needs a skilled interpreter! - annierats, Jan 10, 2012

Good move! Better heading, wait and see. - annierats, Jan 10, 2012

Answer 1

I think the first one refers back to ''la duda''.

The second one I read as 'he who..'one who''

I'm not familiar with the text and thsi is only a suggestion, probably wrong.

Actually, I think you're right. "La deuda" is the first one certainly but it is not a noun. I think the second one, "el amaros....." is being used as a noun. - Jack-OBrien, Jan 10, 2012

That's the trouble I get into when I'm looking at multiple translations.... - Jack-OBrien, Jan 10, 2012

I shouldn't have said "la deuda" but just "la". La is "la deuda". - Jack-OBrien, Jan 10, 2012

Yes, I see, that renders my interpretation useless, sorry. - annierats, Jan 10, 2012