Luke 11:4 And forgive us our sins; for we also forgive every one that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation… At this point of the Lord's prayer we get the first use of the conjunction, and there is a great deal of beauty in that word, "and forgive us." What was the former petition, and what is the use of the conjunction? "Give us our daily bread." This verbal link is itself a beautiful representation of the mysterious bond that actually unites body and soul. A man who simply had bread would be a poor creature indeed, who simply had the comforts of this life. It is quite right that you should pray to have bread; but the prayer must be conjoined to a prayer for some spiritual blessing. (S. Coley.)There are two things which this text cannot mean. 1. It cannot mean that sinful man is to set an example by which the Divine administration is to be conducted. 2. It cannot mean that God's forgiveness of man is a mere equivalent for something that man himself has done. In suggesting an interpretation of this prayer, let it be observed that this is not the first petition in the prayer. Who are the men who can say, "Forgive us," etc.? They are the men who have said — 1. "Our Father." 2. "Thy kingdom come." 3. "Thy will be done on earth. (Dr. Parker.) Parallel Verses KJV: And 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. |
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