Matthew 6:14

14 si enim dimiseritis hominibus peccata eorum dimittet et vobis Pater vester caelestis delicta vestra

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 et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimisimus debitoribus nostris

13 et ne inducas nos in temptationem sed libera nos a malo

14 si enim dimiseritis hominibus peccata eorum dimittet et vobis Pater vester caelestis delicta vestra

15 si autem non dimiseritis hominibus nec Pater vester dimittet peccata vestra

16 cum autem ieiunatis nolite fieri sicut hypocritae tristes demoliuntur enim facies suas ut pareant hominibus ieiunantes amen dico vobis quia receperunt mercedem suam