Matthew 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:

For {G1063} if {G1437} ye forgive {G863} men {G444} their {G846} trespasses {G3900}, your {G5216} heavenly {G3770} Father {G3962} will also {G2532} forgive {G863} you {G5213}:

For if you forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you;

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.

Commentary

Context

Matthew 6:14 is a pivotal verse that immediately follows the Lord's Prayer, acting as an emphatic commentary on one of its key petitions: "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). This verse, along with its negative counterpart in Matthew 6:15, highlights the profound importance Jesus placed on human forgiveness within the divine-human relationship. It is part of the broader Sermon on the Mount, where Jesus outlines the principles of righteous living for His followers, emphasizing an inward transformation rather than mere external observance.

Key Themes

  • Reciprocal Forgiveness: The verse establishes a clear, direct correlation between our willingness to forgive others and God's willingness to forgive us. It suggests that our experience of God's mercy is intrinsically linked to the mercy we extend to our fellow human beings.
  • The Nature of God's Forgiveness: It underscores that our "heavenly Father" is a God of forgiveness, but His forgiveness is not unconditional in the sense that it bypasses our own character and actions. Our capacity for forgiveness reflects our understanding and reception of His grace.
  • Authenticity of Faith: Jesus implies that a genuine relationship with God is characterized by a heart that is ready to forgive. Unforgiveness can be a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's grace and communion.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV word "trespasses" comes from the Greek word paraptoma (παράπτωμα), which literally means a "false step," "a deviation from the right path," or an "offense." It conveys the idea of a slip, error, or transgression against a moral or divine standard. The verb "forgive" is from the Greek aphiēmi (ἀφίημι), meaning "to send away," "to let go," "to release," or "to pardon." This emphasizes the act of releasing someone from a debt or an offense, letting go of resentment, and restoring a relationship.

Significance and Application

Matthew 6:14 challenges believers to embody the very forgiveness they seek from God. It's not about earning God's forgiveness through our own efforts, but rather demonstrating that we have truly grasped the magnitude of the forgiveness we have received from Him. If God, in His infinite grace, has forgiven our immense "debts" (sins), how much more should we be willing to forgive the comparatively smaller "trespasses" of others against us?

Practically, this verse calls us to:

  • Release Bitterness: Harboring unforgiveness can poison our own souls and hinder our spiritual growth. This verse encourages us to let go of grudges and resentment.
  • Promote Reconciliation: Forgiveness is a foundational step towards reconciliation and peace in relationships, both within the church and in society.
  • Reflect God's Character: By forgiving others, we act as ambassadors of Christ, reflecting the mercy and love of our heavenly Father to a broken world. As Ephesians 4:32 exhorts, "And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
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Cross-References

  • Ephesians 4:32 (51 votes)

    And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

  • Mark 11:25 (41 votes)

    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.

  • Colossians 3:13 (38 votes)

    Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also [do] ye.

  • Matthew 7:2 (32 votes)

    For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

  • James 2:13 (23 votes)

    For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

  • Matthew 18:21 (18 votes)

    ¶ Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

  • Matthew 18:35 (18 votes)

    So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.