Matthew 6:14

14 "If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you. ¹

Matthew 6:14 Meaning and Commentary

Matthew 6:14

For if ye forgive men their trespasses
Christ here refers to the petition in ( Matthew 6:12 ) which is enforced with this reason and argument, "as", or "for", so ( Luke 11:4 ) "we forgive our debtors"; which he repeats and explains: and the reason why he singles out this particularly is, because he knew the Jews were a people very subject to revenge; and were very hardly brought to forgive any injuries done them: wherefore Christ presses it upon them closely to "forgive men their trespasses"; all sorts of injuries done them, or offences given them, whether by word or deed; and that fully, freely, from the heart; forgetting, as well as forgiving; not upbraiding them with former offences; and even without asking pardon, and though there might be no appearance of repentance. Now to this he encourages by saying,

your heavenly Father will also forgive you;
will hear your prayers, and manifest his forgiving love to you: not that the forgiveness of others is the procuring cause of forgiveness with God, which is the blood of Christ; or of the manifestation and application of it, that is, the advocacy of Christ; nor the moving cause of it, that is, the free grace of God: but this enters into the character, and is descriptive of the persons, to whom God is pleased to make a comfortable discovery, and give a delightful sense of his pardoning grace; such persons, so disposed and assisted by his grace, may expect it of him.

Matthew 6:14 In-Context

12 Forgive us the wrongs we have done, as we forgive the wrongs that others have done to us.

13 Do not bring us to hard testing, but keep us safe from the Evil One.'

14 "If you forgive others the wrongs they have done to you, your Father in heaven will also forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive the wrongs you have done.

16 "And when you fast, do not put on a sad face as the hypocrites do. They neglect their appearance so that everyone will see that they are fasting. I assure you, they have already been paid in full.

Cross References

• 1. 6.14, 15Mark 11.25, 26.+O+N+26.14Ben Sira 28.1-5.