And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Summary: At first glance, this passage in the Lord’s Prayer looks simple and unassuming. Looking closer, we find that it masks a dark reality.
Have you ever wondered why some people say, “forgive us our debts,” and others say, “forgive us our trespasses”?
I have.
Using the Bible Gateway search feature, I compared the sixty-two English versions of the Bible that they have available online and found that only one of them uses the “forgive us our trespasses.” Seventy-five percent of all translations use the word “debt.” Except for one, the rest use words like “sin” or “wrong.” Then why do so many people say “trespasses”?
Apparently, you and I are not the only ones to wonder. A gentleman named Richard Beck blogs on biblical topics and he writes about this in a post titled, “‘Forgive Us Our Trespasses.’ Where’d That Come From?” In it, he concludes that the original use of “trespasses” goes back to William Tyndale’s translation of the Bible in the early 1500s. From there the word “trespasses” got stuck into the Common Book of Prayer. Now it is stuck in the minds of all the people who were taught the prayer that way.
So there you have it. Most Bibles prefer the word “debt,” so that is what we will be using here.
Unless I change my mind. 🙂
So, now that that is out of the way, let’s talk about the logic of this statement.
When you read this part of the prayer, do you ever feel like you are being trapped into forgiving people you don’t like? Yeah. Me, too.
God is very consistent on this point. It is an extension of the second Great Commandment; “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:39), along with giving us this prayer, Jesus emphasizes the importance of forgiveness with his next words:
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you DO NOT forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” (Matthew 6:14-15)
God is serious about this. If we are not forgiven our sins, how do we get into heaven?
To put the question another way: If we do not forgive others their sins, how do we get into heaven?
I don’t know.
Do you?
Application: Be forgiving. Forgive others, even if they are related to you.
Food for Thought: What does it mean to forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it?
It means that I am supposed apply to others what I have myself received. I have been forgiven even though I don’t deserve it. I am supposed to be like my Heavenly Father, showing myself to be His child. Matthew 5: 43 – 48.
Grace is given, not earned. I have received and this I am to give as I have received. Ephesians 4: 31 – 32. It is unthinkable that I should receive forgiveness of such a great debt and then turn and not forgive the smaller debt. Matthew 18: 21 – 35.
What does it mean to forgive someone who does not deserve it? It means to treat others as Christ has treated me. To take any other posture is to take the posture of entitlement. Unfortunately, I can do this even though I know it is wrong and when I do the space that should be filled with forgiveness is filled with growing bitterness and a desire for revenge. Thankfully, that is not how Christ treated me.
(Comment updated with Rich’s correction – je)
Thank you, Rich!
Great Scripture references! “Treat others as Christ has treated me” is about the best way to say it.
It may mean that I would be acting like Christ did, He went to the cross to forgive all the world of it’s sin.
I don’t think I am going to run out and jump on a cross for that or any other person, but I can ask Christ for some help in the forgiveness department. Since He is the master of forgiveness. He will provide a way for that to happen, all I have to do is ask, seek and knock. The door will open and He will be standing right there with the answer for me to give with forgiveness for the other person I am to forgive their sin.
But I am not really the one who forgives sin. Christ did that at the cross. I can however forgive for the way I was treated by the person,
In reality, we have all sinned and we all have fallen short, no matter how we look at it. We need Christ with every situation in this life we live, because apart from Him we can do nothing.
Have A Happy New Year!
John,
Thank you! Happy New Year to you as well. 🙂
I think our theme of forgiving others is a GREAT WAY to begin the New Year.
Great Comments!
12-31-2022, What does it mean to forgive someone who doesn’t deserve it?
Forgiveness seems to be a major topic in the Bible. We find forgiveness as a key message in just about every book. It means to treat others as God has treated us. It is not in our nature to forgive as Jesus has forgiven us and I would say, all who find themselves forgiving others, are bearing the fruit of Jesus Christ in them, which is our purpose.
Luke 23:34 Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided up His garments by casting lots.
Not forgiving others is an act of our flesh and will be a heavy burden, a load of bitterness in our spirit, which will separate us from God as we live in our flesh rather than His Spirit.
Well said, Ron.
Thank you!
I intended to include but was rushed.
Forgiveness does not mean excusing, forgetting, permitting repetition of the sinful act against you, or guaranteeing reconciliation with the perpetrator.
Thanks Ron!
Good points. Lots of “meat” there!
Thank you Ron for the last bit of wisdom.