The bolded scriptural citation will take you to additional translations. The entire chapter is included to provide context.
Information about the meaning the original Greek of what seem to be key words is provided in blue.
Excerpts collected in yellow at the end of this post tell us something about God’s nature or our relationship to Him.
Excerpts collected in green at the end of this post tell us about something God wants us to do.
Collections of scriptures dealing principles similar to those addressed here are hyperlinked at the end of this post.
Then Peter went up to him and said, 'Lord, how often must I forgive my brother if he wrongs me? As often as seven times?'22Jesus answered, 'Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
23And so the kingdom of Heaven may be compared to a king who decided to settle his accounts with his servants. 24When the reckoning began, they brought him a man who owed ten thousand talents; 25he had no means of paying, so his master gave orders that he should be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, to meet the debt. 26At this, the servant threw himself down at his master's feet, with the words, "Be patient with me and I will pay the whole sum." 27And the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt.
28Now as this servant went out, he happened to meet a fellow-servant who owed him one hundred denarii; and he seized him by the throat and began to throttle him, saying, "Pay what you owe me." 29His fellow-servant fell at his feet and appealed to him, saying, "Be patient with me and I will pay you." 30But the other would not agree; on the contrary, he had him thrown into prison till he should pay the debt.
31His fellow-servants were deeply distressed when they saw what had happened, and they went to their master and reported the whole affair to him. 32Then the master sent for the man and said to him, "You wicked servant, I cancelled all that debt of yours when you appealed to me. 33Were you not bound, then, to have pity on your fellow-servant just as I had pity on you?" 34And in his anger the master handed him over to the torturers till he should pay all his debt.
35And that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart.'
forgive = ἀφίημι = aphiēmi Blue Letter Bible set free; to remit or forgive; the remission of the punishment due to sinful conduct, the deliverance of the sinner from the penalty; the complete removal of the cause of offense; to let go, let alone, let be; to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic);
patient = μακροθυμέω =makrothymeō Blue Letter Bible to be long-tempered; to be of a long spirit, not to lose heart; to persevere patiently and bravely in enduring misfortunes and troubles; to be patient in bearing the offenses and injuries of others; to be mild and slow in avenging; to be longsuffering, slow to anger, slow to punish; forbearing; patiently endure
felt so sorry for him = σπλαγχνίζομαι=splagchnizomai Blue Letter Bible to be moved with compassion, to yearn with compassion, is frequently recorded of Christ towards the multitude and towards individual sufferers; to be moved as to one's inwards
pity = ἐλεέω = eleeō Blue Letter Bible to have mercy (eleos, "mercy"), to show kindness, by beneficence, or assistance, is translated "have compassion;” to help one afflicted or seeking aid; to bring help to the wretched; to compassionate; to succor the afflicted;granting even to the unworthy favor, benefits, opportunities, and particularly salvation by Christ; such sympathy as manifests itself in act, less frequently in word
What this tells us about God’s nature or our relationship to Him:
the servant's master felt so sorry for him that he let him go and cancelled the debt
that is how my heavenly Father will deal with you unless you each forgive your brother from your heart
What this tells us to do:
Not seven, I tell you, but seventy-seven times.
threw himself down at his master's feet
have pity on your fellow-servant just as I had pity on you
Scriptures addressing similar principles are collected at Wisdom Principles—How to Deal with Those Who Do You Wrong.
No comments:
Post a Comment