Matthew 6:15

KJV

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} if {G3362} ye forgive {G863} not {G3362} men {G444} their {G846} trespasses {G3900}, neither {G3761} will your {G5216} Father {G3962} forgive {G863} your {G5216} trespasses {G3900}.

Complete Jewish Bible

but if you do not forgive others their offenses, your heavenly Father will not forgive yours.

Berean Standard Bible

But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

American Standard Version

But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Matthew 6:15 serves as a solemn and critical postscript to the Lord's Prayer, particularly emphasizing the petition for forgiveness. It unequivocally states that the human act of withholding forgiveness from others directly impedes the reception of divine forgiveness from God. This verse underscores a fundamental principle of the Kingdom of God: our horizontal relationships, especially concerning reconciliation and mercy, are inextricably linked to our vertical relationship with our heavenly Father, revealing the character of God that we are called to embody.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Matthew 6:15 immediately follows the conclusion of the [Lord's Prayer](/matthew/6-9-13 "Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer"), specifically elaborating on the petition, "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors" ([Matthew 6:12](/matthew/6-12 "Matthew 6:12 - Forgive Us Our Debts")). This verse, along with its preceding counterpart [Matthew 6:14](/matthew/6-14 "Matthew 6:14 - Forgiveness of Others"), forms a crucial interpretive key to understanding the prayer's core message regarding forgiveness. By isolating and reiterating this principle, Jesus highlights its paramount importance within the broader framework of the [Sermon on the Mount](/matthew/5 "Matthew 5 - The Sermon on the Mount"), where He systematically unpacks the ethical and spiritual demands of Kingdom living, challenging His disciples to a righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees. The placement of this teaching suggests that genuine prayer and right standing with God are contingent upon a forgiving spirit.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Jewish society, the concept of forgiveness was deeply rooted in the covenant relationship with God. Sin was often understood as a "debt" or "trespass" against God and the community, requiring atonement and reconciliation. While the Temple system provided means for ritual atonement, personal and interpersonal forgiveness remained a vital aspect of piety. The idea of God's mercy being extended to those who show mercy was not new, echoing Old Testament principles found in passages like [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy"). However, Jesus' teaching radicalizes this principle, making it a non-negotiable condition for experiencing God's forgiveness. The cultural emphasis on honor and shame, and the strong desire for justice or retribution in cases of offense, made Jesus' call for unconditional forgiveness particularly counter-cultural and challenging for His audience.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme in Matthew 6:15 is **Reciprocal Forgiveness**, emphasizing a direct, inseparable link between our willingness to forgive others and God's willingness to forgive us. This is not about earning salvation, but about demonstrating a heart transformed by God's grace, reflecting His own merciful character. A related theme is the **Gravity of Unforgiveness**, as Jesus highlights the severe spiritual consequences of holding onto resentment or bitterness. Unforgiveness acts as a formidable barrier, hindering one's fellowship with God and blocking the reception of His grace. Finally, the verse touches upon **Divine Justice and Mercy**, illustrating that while God is abundant in mercy, His justice ensures that those who refuse to extend mercy will not receive it, a principle powerfully echoed in the [Parable of the Unforgiving Servant](/matthew/18-21-35 "Matthew 18:21-35 - The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant") and the warning in [James 2:13](/james/2-13 "James 2:13 - Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment") that "judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful."

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **forgive (Greek, _aphíēmi'_):** From G863, meaning "to send forth," "to let go," "to remit," or "to suffer." In the context of sin, it signifies the act of releasing someone from a debt or an offense, letting go of a grievance, or pardoning a wrong. This word implies a complete dismissal of the offense, not merely overlooking it but actively releasing the offender from its hold.
* **men (Greek, _ánthrōpos'_):** From G444, meaning "a human being." This emphasizes that the forgiveness required is for offenses committed by any person, regardless of their status, relationship, or the perceived severity of their trespass. It underscores the universal scope of the command to forgive fellow human beings.
* **trespasses (Greek, _paráptōma'_):** From G3900, meaning "a side-slip (lapse or deviation)," "unintentional error," or "wilful transgression." It refers to a false step, a deviation from the right path, or an offense committed against another. This term highlights the nature of the wrongs committed against us—they are moral failings or offenses that require reconciliation, paralleling the "debts" or "sins" we commit against God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But if ye forgive not men their trespasses":** This opening clause presents a stark condition. The conjunction "But" (G1161, _dé_) signals a strong contrast or continuation from the preceding verses about forgiveness. The phrase "if ye forgive not" (G3362, _eàn mḗ_ and G863, _aphíēmi_) establishes a negative conditional premise: should one fail to release or pardon others for their offenses. "Men their trespasses" (G444, _ánthrōpos_ and G3900, _paráptōma_) specifies the recipients of this unforgiveness—fellow human beings—and the nature of the offenses—their moral failings or deviations. This clause sets up the dire consequence that follows.
* **"neither will your Father forgive your trespasses":** This second clause reveals the severe consequence of failing to forgive. The word "neither" (G3761, _oudé_) strongly negates the possibility of divine forgiveness if the condition in the first clause is met. "Your Father" (G3962, _patḗr_), referring to God, underscores the intimate relationship believers have with Him, making the withholding of His forgiveness even more poignant. The repetition of "forgive" (G863, _aphíēmi_) and "your trespasses" (G3900, _paráptōma_) creates a powerful parallel, directly linking human action to divine response. It implies that a heart unwilling to extend mercy to others is fundamentally out of alignment with the merciful character of God, thus rendering it incapable of receiving His mercy.

#### Literary Devices
Matthew 6:15 is a masterclass in concise yet impactful communication, employing several literary devices. The most prominent is **Conditional Statement**, introduced by "if" (Greek: _eàn mḗ_), which sets up a direct cause-and-effect relationship between human action and divine response. This structure makes the consequence of unforgiveness unequivocal and unavoidable. Closely related is **Parallelism**, specifically **Antithetical Parallelism**, where the two clauses present opposing scenarios and outcomes: "if you do not forgive... neither will your Father forgive." This creates a striking contrast that highlights the gravity of the message. Furthermore, there is a clear element of **Reciprocity**, where the action taken by the individual (forgiving or not forgiving others) is mirrored in God's action towards that individual. This reciprocal principle underscores the ethical demands of the Kingdom, where the character of the Father is to be reflected in His children. The direct, unvarnished language also lends a sense of **Aphorism**, a pithy observation that contains a general truth, making the statement memorable and universally applicable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Matthew 6:15 profoundly impacts our understanding of God's character and the nature of discipleship. It reveals that while God's forgiveness is a gift of grace, our capacity to receive and live in that forgiveness is intrinsically linked to our willingness to extend it to others. This is not a transactional exchange where we "earn" God's forgiveness, but rather an indicator of a transformed heart that genuinely reflects the divine nature. A spirit of unforgiveness demonstrates a fundamental misunderstanding or rejection of the very grace by which we are saved, creating a barrier to intimate fellowship with a merciful God. It underscores that true repentance and faith are evidenced by a life that mirrors the compassion and pardon received. The verse challenges the notion of cheap grace, asserting that the experience of God's boundless mercy should compel us to be conduits of that same mercy to a broken world.

* [James 2:13](/james/2-13 "James 2:13 - Mercy Triumphs Over Judgment")
* [Colossians 3:13](/colossians/3-13 "Colossians 3:13 - Forgive One Another")
* [Luke 17:3-4](/luke/17-3-4 "Luke 17:3-4 - Forgive Your Brother Seven Times")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Matthew 6:15 stands as a sobering mirror, inviting every believer to deep introspection regarding the state of their heart. It challenges us to honestly examine whether we harbor any unforgiveness, bitterness, or grudges against those who have wronged us. The verse compels us to recognize that holding onto such negative emotions not only poisons our own souls but also erects a spiritual barrier between us and the very source of divine grace. True freedom often begins with the difficult, yet liberating, act of choosing to release others from our judgment, mirroring the release God has so generously offered us through Christ. This act of forgiveness, while challenging, is a tangible demonstration that we are indeed children of a forgiving Father, reflecting His character to the world. It is a vital step towards experiencing the full measure of God's peace and continued grace in our lives, freeing us from the spiritual and emotional bondage that unforgiveness inevitably creates.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Are there individuals in my life whom I have refused to forgive, and what are the specific reasons I am holding onto that unforgiveness?**
* **How might my unforgiveness be hindering my spiritual growth and my relationship with God?**
* **What practical steps can I take today to extend forgiveness to someone who has wronged me, even if it feels difficult or undeserved?**
* **In what ways does my willingness (or unwillingness) to forgive reflect the character of God that I claim to follow?**

### FAQ

**Does Matthew 6:15 mean that God's forgiveness is conditional, and I can lose my salvation if I don't forgive others?**

Answer: Matthew 6:15 does not imply that salvation is earned by forgiving others or that one can lose their salvation based on a single act of unforgiveness. Rather, it speaks to the *nature* of a genuine believer's relationship with God and the *evidence* of a transformed heart. God's forgiveness, leading to salvation, is always a gift received by grace through faith in Christ ([Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Grace Through Faith")). However, a truly repentant heart, one that has experienced the profound forgiveness of God, will naturally be inclined to extend that same forgiveness to others. Unforgiveness, especially as a persistent pattern, indicates a fundamental disconnect from the spirit of Christ and the grace received. It suggests that one may not have fully grasped the magnitude of God's mercy towards them, or that their heart remains hardened. Therefore, while not a condition for initial salvation, a forgiving spirit is a vital fruit and ongoing characteristic of a life transformed by God's saving grace, demonstrating the authenticity of one's faith and enabling continued communion with God ([1 John 4:7-8](/1_john/4-7-8 "1 John 4:7-8 - Love is from God")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Matthew 6:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and profound meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the verse presents a challenging principle of reciprocal forgiveness, Christ Himself is the perfect embodiment and enabler of this truth. He not only taught about forgiveness but lived it perfectly, demonstrating the ultimate act of pardon from the cross, praying, "[Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do](/luke/23-34 "Luke 23:34 - Jesus Forgives His Executioners")" even as He was being crucified. His atoning sacrifice on Calvary provides the very basis for God's forgiveness of our "trespasses" ([Romans 5:8](/romans/5-8 "Romans 5:8 - God Demonstrates His Love")). Moreover, through His indwelling Spirit, Christ empowers believers to extend the radical forgiveness that is humanly impossible. When we are "in Christ," we receive a new nature that enables us to "bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone" ([Colossians 3:13](/colossians/3-13 "Colossians 3:13 - Forgive One Another")). Thus, Matthew 6:15 is not merely a legalistic demand but an invitation to participate in the divine character of forgiveness made possible by the Lamb of God, who took away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). Our capacity to forgive others is a direct overflow of the immeasurable forgiveness we have received through Him, demonstrating that we are truly "imitators of God, as dearly loved children" ([Ephesians 5:1](/ephesians/5-1 "Ephesians 5:1 - Imitate God")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Matthew 18:35

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