Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary Matthew 6:13

"And bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil [one.]" — Matthew 6:13 (ASV)

The word used for “temptation” (GK 4280) rarely if ever before the writing of the NT means “temptation” in the sense of “enticement to sin” ; rather, it means testing. But testing can have various purposes and diverse results (e.g., greater purity, growth in faith, but also sin); the word can thus slide over into the entirely negative sense of “temptation” . In the light of Jas 1:13–14, the word used here cannot easily mean “temptation,” for that would be to pray that God would not do what in fact he cannot do.

But if the word means “testing,” we face another problem. The NT everywhere insists that believers will face testing or trials of many kinds and that they should face them with joy (James 1:2). Thus, to pray for grace and endurance in trial is understandable; but to pray not to be brought to testings is strange. Yet perhaps this is not so strange. The NT tells us that this age will be characterized by wars and rumors of wars (24:6) but does not find it incongruous to urge us to pray for those in authority so “that we may live peaceful and quiet lives” (1 Timothy 2:2). While Jesus told his disciples to rejoice when persecuted (5:10–12), he nevertheless exhorted them to flee from it (10:23) and even to pray that their flight should not be too severe (24:20).

“Deliver” (GK 4861) can mean either “spare us from” or “deliver us out of.” Both are spiritually relevant, and which way the verb is taken largely depends on how the preceding clause is understood. The words translated “the evil one” can either mean “evil” or refer specifically to the Devil. A reference to Satan is far more likely here for two reasons: (1) “deliver from” is an expression used predominantly of persons, and (2) Matthew’s first mention of temptation (4:1– 11) is unambiguously connected with the Devil. Thus the Lord’s model prayer ends with a petition that, while implicitly recognizing our own helplessness before the Devil whom Jesus alone could vanquish (4:1–11), indicates trust in the heavenly Father for deliverance from the Devil’s strength and wiles.

The doxology is theologically profound and contextually suitable, but it is best to leave out consideration of it as it is not part of Matthew’s original work.