Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 6:12

"And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors." — Matthew 6:12 (ASV)

In addition to physical provisions, we also need forgiveness of sin and deliverance from temptation. The word “debt” (GK 4052) means “sin” or “transgression,” here conceived as something owed God (cf. Lk 11:4).

Some have taken the second clause to mean that our forgiveness is the real cause of God’s forgiveness, i.e., that God’s forgiveness must be earned by our own. But we must distinguish between the concept of earning forgiveness (not taught here) and adopting an attitude that makes forgiveness possible. This thought is reinforced in vv.14–15 and 18:21–35 (see also comments on 5:5, 7).