Matthew 6:15 kjv
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:15 nkjv
But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:15 niv
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6:15 esv
but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 6:15 nlt
But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Matthew 6 15 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Mt 6:12 | And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. | The core condition in the Lord's Prayer. |
| Mt 18:21-35 | Then Peter came up and said to him, "Lord, how often will my brother sin against me... And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father... | The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates this teaching powerfully. |
| Mk 11:25-26 | And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father... | Mark's parallel teaching emphasizes forgiving for prayer to be effective. |
| Lk 6:37 | Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven. | Jesus links forgiving with receiving forgiveness and avoiding judgment. |
| Lk 17:3-4 | Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him... | Direct command to forgive when repentance occurs. |
| Eph 4:32 | Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. | Forgiveness is modeled on God's forgiveness of us. |
| Col 3:13 | Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. | A clear command based on Christ's forgiveness. |
| Jas 2:13 | For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. | Those who show no mercy will receive none. |
| Prov 28:13 | Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy. | Confession and repentance are prerequisites for receiving mercy. |
| Is 43:25 | "I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins." | God's absolute forgiveness as a basis. |
| Mic 7:18-19 | Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant... | God's unique attribute of forgiveness. |
| Ps 103:3-4 | who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy... | The benefits of God's forgiveness. |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. | Confession is key to receiving God's forgiveness. |
| Rom 2:1 | Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges... for in passing judgment upon another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. | Hypocrisy in judging others without self-examination applies to forgiveness. |
| Mt 5:7 | Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. | Beatitude reinforcing the principle of mercy and its reward. |
| Rom 12:18-19 | If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves... | The call to refrain from vengeance, inherent in true forgiveness. |
| Heb 12:14-15 | Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no 'root of bitterness' springs up and causes trouble... | Unforgiveness as a "root of bitterness" that hinders grace. |
| 2 Cor 2:5-11 | If anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me only, but in some measure to all of you... so that you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him... | Example of corporate forgiveness in the church. |
| Lk 23:34 | And Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." | Jesus' own example of radical forgiveness. |
| Mt 7:1-2 | "Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you." | Emphasizes that our standard of judgment for others becomes the standard for us. |
Matthew 6 verses
Matthew 6 15 Meaning
Matthew 6:15 conveys a profound truth from Jesus: the forgiveness we receive from our Heavenly Father is directly conditional on our willingness to forgive others their offenses against us. It underlines that a truly transformed heart, one that has experienced God's radical grace, will naturally extend grace to others, reflecting God's own character. An unforgiving spirit indicates a failure to fully grasp or apply divine forgiveness.
Matthew 6 15 Context
Matthew 6:15 is found within the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' most extensive teaching on discipleship and the ethics of the Kingdom of Heaven. Specifically, it follows immediately after the Lord's Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13), acting as a crucial explanatory appendix to one of its central petitions: "forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). Verses 14 and 15 form a powerful clarification, stating both the positive and negative implications of this petition. Matthew 6 as a whole addresses sincere piety—charity, prayer, and fasting—in contrast to the hypocritical practices of those who seek human praise. In this context, the emphasis on genuine, heartfelt forgiveness aligns with the theme of true righteousness that pleases God, not merely outward displays. It directly challenges any notion that one could earn God's favor through religious acts while harboring an unforgiving spirit.
Matthew 6 15 Word analysis
But (δὲ - de): A transitional particle, indicating a shift or contrast from the preceding positive statement (Mt 6:14) to its negative counterpart, providing a stark warning.
if you do not forgive (ἐὰν δὲ μὴ ἀφῆτε - ean de mē aphēte):
- ἐὰν (ean): "if," introduces a conditional clause.
- μὴ (mē): "not," strong negation used with subjunctive, emphasizing the hypothetical yet grave consequence.
- ἀφῆτε (aphēte): Second person plural aorist subjunctive from aphiēmi (ἀφίημι). Means "to send away," "to release," "to dismiss," and by extension, "to pardon" or "to forgive." The aorist aspect suggests a decisive act of not forgiving. The Greek conveys a powerful sense of letting go or releasing someone from an obligation or offense, which is key to true forgiveness.
others (τοῖς ἀνθρώποις - tois anthrōpois): "to men" or "to people." Emphasizes the universal scope; forgiveness must be extended to all fellow human beings who have trespassed against us.
their trespasses (τὰ παραπτώματα αὐτῶν - ta paraptōmata autōn):
- παραπτώματα (paraptōmata): From parapipto, meaning "to fall beside," "to deviate from the right path," "a false step," "a transgression," or "a sin." It speaks of errors, misdeeds, and offenses. This term highlights that what is being forgiven are specific wrongdoings committed by one person against another.
neither will (οὐδὲ - oude): A strong negative conjunction meaning "neither... nor," reinforcing the consequence and making it unequivocal.
your Father (ὁ Πατὴρ ὑμῶν - ho Patēr hymōn): Identifies God as the one withholding forgiveness. This highlights the relational aspect: sin against others also affects our relationship with God, our Father.
forgive (ἀφήσει - aphēsei): Future active indicative of aphiēmi. This verb choice emphasizes that God will not do this in the future; the consequence is certain and not a matter of a potential emotional state but a divine, just principle.
your trespasses (τὰ παραπτώματα ὑμῶν - ta paraptōmata hymōn): The same term used earlier, signifying a direct reciprocity. The specific offenses you have committed against God are the ones that will remain unforgiven if you are unwilling to forgive others their offenses against you.
Words-group analysis:
- "if you do not forgive others their trespasses": This establishes the human condition. It is an active choice not to release or pardon others, despite their offenses, however significant they may seem to the aggrieved party.
- "neither will your Father forgive your trespasses": This establishes the divine consequence. The direct correlation is presented as a spiritual law. It underscores the profound link between horizontal (human-to-human) and vertical (God-to-human) forgiveness. This is not earning forgiveness from God, but a test of whether one has truly grasped God's grace and embodied His character.
Matthew 6 15 Bonus section
The passage challenges a legalistic mindset where one might feel they can fulfill religious duties while harboring an unforgiving spirit. Jesus' teaching here clarifies that inner spiritual transformation, marked by a forgiving heart, is paramount. This forgiveness is not primarily a feeling, but an act of the will—a conscious choice to release the right to hold another accountable for an offense, mirroring how God releases us from our far greater debt. It highlights that failing to forgive others exposes a lack of true humility and understanding of one's own immense indebtedness to God's grace. It also serves as a warning against hypocrisy: asking God for a quality (forgiveness) that one is unwilling to manifest towards fellow humans. This principle underpins the healthy functioning of relationships within the Christian community, emphasizing the vital role of grace and reconciliation among believers.
Matthew 6 15 Commentary
Matthew 6:15 serves as a solemn postscript to the Lord's Prayer, particularly elaborating on the petition for forgiveness. It is not merely a conditional statement but reveals a core spiritual principle in Jesus' teaching: true reconciliation with God requires reconciliation with man. This verse emphasizes that an unforgiving heart is a barrier to experiencing God's full forgiveness and blessing. It reveals a misalignment with God's very nature, which is merciful and forgiving. If we cannot extend to others the very mercy and forgiveness we desperately need from God, it shows a profound misunderstanding or rejection of divine grace. The implication is that holding onto bitterness, resentment, and a desire for retaliation creates a spiritual blockage, hindering our relationship with the Father. Forgiveness is not about condoning wrong or forgetting hurt, but releasing the offender and yourself from the chains of anger and resentment, choosing grace as God has chosen it for you. This commitment to forgiving others is evidence of a genuinely repentant heart that understands the immeasurable forgiveness received from God.