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Matthew 6:14-15: Forget about the debts, sins and trespasses
1. Matthew 6:9-13 Lord's Prayer in Matthew
The Lord's prayer is in Matthew 6:9-13. The immediate context includes Matthew 6:7-15.
As with any verses, the
context of the Lord's Prayer is important. The general context is in the middle of the Sermon on the Mount.
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in 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 evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.
Amen.
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2. Matthew 6:14-15: Forget about the debts, sins and trespasses
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [kjv]
εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]
… dimiseritis … dimittet peccata … [v]
3. Versions
Here are some common versions of part of the Lord's Prayer.
Which is most correct?
Which is harder to do?
Discuss: Is this requirement a
minimum or a
maximum requirement?
... and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors ...
... and forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us ...
... and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us ...
How many try to get by with as little as possible, to
game the system, to find
loopholes, to fulfill the technicality of what is required?
4. Stay on that chair
You are told to "
not get off that chair". How might you get around that rule?
5. A Greek sin
6. A Hebrew sin
The corresponding Hebrew word
"חטא" (chata) ≈ "sin"which means sin as in "
to miss the mark" or "
to go wrong".
The analogy is often made to archery and missing the center of the target.
7. Matthew 6:12 Forgiving debts
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφηκαμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων [gnt]
… dimitte … debita … dimisimus debitoribus … [v]
The Greek for "
forgive" as that of "
letting go" where there is the idea of separation. The ancient Greek word
"ἀφίημι" ≈ "send away, let pass".
The Greek for "
debts" has to do with an obligation to someone, such as "
owing" money. It could be any obligation. Luke uses the word Greek word for "
sins" whereas Matthew uses the word for "
debts".
[sin not undo death]
8. Matthew 6:12 Debts and owing
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφηκαμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων [gnt]
… dimitte … debita … dimisimus debitoribus … [v]
This part of the prayer is a request. Jesus then appears to clarify that part of the prayer. He uses some different words.
This is a
transitive relationship.
Do you see the
transitivity?
9. Reconciliation
To "
forgive" means to "
let go" as in "
forget".
Is "
reconciliation" needed when someone else wrongs you?
How can you "
reconcile" and "
forget" or "
let go" at the same time?
How many times might you need to "
forgive" or "
let go"?
10. Matthew 18:21-22 The forgiving tymes they are a changin
Matthew 18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [kjv]
18:22 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven. [kjv]
The title "
The forgiving tymes they are a changin" is inspired by the Bob Dylan lyrics to "
The times they are a changin". The Greek for "
forgive" is that of "
letting go".
Peter does
not use the word "
times" as "
occurrences". It is
inferred and is
not the "
times" operator for multiplication.
18:21: ... seven (occurrences) ...
18:22: ... seventy seven (occurrences) ...
The answer to how many times should one "
forgive" or "
let go" of things done that are not sins and not against us is provided after the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6. Why did Peter ask this in this context?
11. Comparison
12. Context
In Luke, the
context is often important to understanding what is being said. In this case, a comparison of the context with Matthew is useful.
Often, Matthew will record exactly what is said. Jesus often carefully words ideas so that they have more than one meaning - all of which can be true. Luke, many years later, carefully interviews people for what they remember. Often, Luke records one of those remembered meanings. Some call this the "
direct" meaning, but any other meanings are no longer present, at least in the same clarity.
13. Resolution
A problem arises when people try to use logic and "
Biblical inerrency" to force, say, similar verses in both Matthew and Luke to match more or less exactly. This often requires throwing out part of Matthew. This is
not logically sound.
Luke is true with respect to what it says.
Matthew is true with respect to what it says.
One can point out and discuss differences but one should not change one to match the other.
14. Trespass - walking beyond
15. Hail Mary
Cute and quick prayer:
Hail Mary full of grace, help me find a parking space.
Where did the football phrase Hail Mary originate?
After a last-second TD against the Vikings in 1975 playoffs, Cowboys QB Roger Staubach, Naval Academy graduate, told the press that 'I closed my eyes and said a Hail Mary'.
[a hold on letting go]
16. Lowering the bar
Discuss: Does the church ever appear to "
lower the bar"? Do translations of the Bible ever appear to "
lower the bar"?
17. Galatians 2:18 Transgressor
Galatians 2:18 For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. [kjv]
ει γαρ α κατελυσα ταυτα παλιν οικοδομω παραβατην εμαυτον συνιστανω [gnt]
Paul uses the ancient Greek word
"παραβάτην" ≈ "transgressor" is meaning, literally, one who
"walks beyond" (where they are supposed to go).
"παρα" ≈ "beyond".
"βαίνω" ≈ "walk, step" and is the source of English words such as "acrobat" (one who walks end to end).
Matthew and Luke, the "
transgressions" (e.g., Lord's Prayer and after) do
not use this word that means
"transgression".
The word translated as
"destroyed" has a primary meaning of
"reside" as in
"making a residence". Did Paul actually
"destroy" the Jewish system of law? Did he
"reside" in that system?
The Greek word translated "
build" has the Greek word for "
house" in it. One should not "
build" a "
house" of those things again in another
similar form. Has the church "
rebuilt" parts of ritual and tradition to replace the Jewish system it replaced?
18. Strongs - transgressor
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφηκαμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων [gnt]
6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [kjv]
εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]
… dimiseritis … dimittet peccata … [v]
Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. … [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τας αμαρτιας ημων και γαρ αυτοι αφιομεν παντι οφειλοντι ημιν και μη εισενεγκης ημας εις πειρασμον [gnt]
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [kjv]
εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]
… dimiseritis … dimittet peccata … [v]
James 5:16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. [kjv]
εξομολογεισθε ουν αλληλοις παραπτωματα τας αμαρτιας και υπερ αλληλων οπως ιαθητε πολυ ισχυει δεησις δικαιου ενεργουμενη [gnt]
Romans 11:12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fulness? [kjv]
ει δε το παραπτωμα αυτων πλουτος κοσμου και το ηττημα αυτων πλουτος εθνων ποσω μαλλον το πληρωμα αυτων [gnt]
Galatians 6:1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. [kjv]
αδελφοι εαν και προλημφθη ανθρωπος εν τινι παραπτωματι υμεις οι πνευματικοι καταρτιζετε τον τοιουτον εν πνευματι σκοπων σεαυτον μη και συ πειρασθης [gnt]
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. [kjv]
εαν δε μη αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων ουδε ο πατηρ υμων αφησει τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]
… dimiseritis … dimittet peccata … [v]
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
18:21 Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? [kjv]
τοτε προσελθων ο πετρος ειπεν αυτω κυριε ποσακις αμαρτησει εις εμε ο αδελφος μου και αφησω αυτω εως επτακις [gnt]
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. [kjv]
και αφες ημιν τα οφειληματα ημων ως και ημεις αφηκαμεν τοις οφειλεταις ημων [gnt]
… dimitte … debita … dimisimus debitoribus … [v]
Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: [kjv]
εαν γαρ αφητε τοις ανθρωποις τα παραπτωματα αυτων αφησει και υμιν ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος [gnt]
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. [kjv]
και οταν στηκετε προσχευχομενοι αφιετε ει τι εχετε κατα τινος ινα και ο πατηρ υμων ο εν τοις ουρανοις αφη υμιν τα παραπτωματα υμων [gnt]
11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. [kjv]
2 Samuel 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father. [kjv]
και αχιτοφελ ειδεν οτι ουκ εγενηθη η βουλη αυτου και επεσαξεν την ονον αυτου και ανεστη και απηλθεν εις τον οικον αυτου εις την πολιν αυτου και ενετειλατο τω οικω αυτου και απηγξατο και απεθανεν και εταφη εν τω ταφω του πατρος αυτου [lxx]
Matthew 27:5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. [kjv]
και ριψας τα αργυρια εις τον ναον ανεχωρησεν και απελθων απηγξατο [gnt]
Acts 1:18 Now this man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out. [kjv]
Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; [kjv]
και ειπεν προς αυτους τις εξ υμων εξει φιλον και πορευσεται προς αυτον μεσονυκτιου και ειπη αυτω φιλε χρησον μοι τρεις αρτους [gnt]
Luke 11:5 And he said unto them, Which of you shall have a friend, and shall go unto him at midnight, and say unto him, Friend, lend me three loaves; [kjv]
και ειπεν προς αυτους τις εξ υμων εξει φιλον και πορευσεται προς αυτον μεσονυκτιου και ειπη αυτω φιλε χρησον μοι τρεις αρτους [gnt]
11:6 For a friend of mine in his journey is come to me, and I have nothing to set before him? [kjv]
11:7 And he from within shall answer and say, Trouble me not: the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I can not rise and give thee. [kjv]
11:8 I say unto you, Though he will not rise and give him, because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him as many as he needeth. [kjv]
λεγω υμιν ει και ου δωσει αυτω αναστας δια το ειναι φιλον αυτου δια γε την αναιδειαν αυτου εγερθεις δωσει αυτω οσων χρηζει [gnt]
