Matthew 6:12
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
Original Language Analysis
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
1 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
4 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ὀφειλήματα
debts
G3783
ὀφειλήματα
debts
Strong's:
G3783
Word #:
5 of 13
something owed, i.e., (figuratively) a due; morally, a fault
ὡς
G5613
ὡς
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
7 of 13
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
καὶ
And
G2532
καὶ
And
Strong's:
G2532
Word #:
8 of 13
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῖς
G3588
τοῖς
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
11 of 13
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Ephesians 4:32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.Mark 11:25And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.Ephesians 1:7In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;Colossians 3:13Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.Luke 11:4And 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.Exodus 34:7Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.Psalms 32:1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.Luke 6:37Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:Psalms 130:4But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.1 Kings 8:39Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)
Historical Context
Debt was crushing reality in first-century Palestine, with debtor's prison and debt slavery common. Jesus' parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) explicitly interprets this petition. Jewish thought recognized both vertical (sins against God) and horizontal (sins against others) dimensions of wrongdoing, requiring both divine and human forgiveness. The Jubilee principle (Leviticus 25) involved debt cancellation every fifty years, prefiguring the complete forgiveness Jesus offers.
Questions for Reflection
- How does viewing sin as 'debt' shape our understanding of forgiveness as cancellation we cannot repay?
- What is the relationship between receiving God's forgiveness and extending forgiveness to others?
- Who in your life do you need to forgive as evidence of experiencing God's forgiveness?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The prayer addresses spiritual debt: 'And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' (Greek: ἄφες ἡμῖν τὰ ὀφειλήματα ἡμῶν, 'forgive us our debts'). The term 'debts' (ὀφειλήματα) refers to moral obligations unfulfilled - sins are debts owed to God. The petition acknowledges ongoing need for forgiveness, not once-for-all salvation but daily cleansing. The phrase 'as we forgive' is crucial and troubling - it conditions divine forgiveness on human forgiveness. This is not earning salvation but demonstrating genuine repentance. Those who have truly experienced God's forgiveness extend it to others; unforgiveness evidences hardened hearts.