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Explanation for:
Matthew
6
:
15
But if you will not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive you your offences.
10
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{"arr":[{"author-name":"John Chrysostom","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ea76859f9f8e2ffd3ee_John%20Chrysostom.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":4,"exegesis-text":"What kind of retribution can one expect from those who, despite the many blessings they receive, refuse to pardon themselves and instead urge God to take vengeance on their adversaries, thereby blatantly disregarding the divine commandment to love? God has orchestrated all things to prevent enmity among us, for love is the foundation of all goodness. Hence, He uproots anything detrimental to love and strives to unify us. Indeed, there is no being—neither parent, friend, nor anyone else—who cherishes us as deeply as God, our Creator. This love is consistently demonstrated in His daily blessings and directives. However, if you focus solely on life's ills—its afflictions and trials—consider how often you offend Him, and it may not be surprising to find yourself suffering even greater misfortunes. Conversely, it would be astonishing if you experience any joy, as we tend to dwell on misfortunes without recognizing the daily offenses we commit against Him, leading to our own sorrow. \\n\\nIf only we took the time to reflect on our transgressions from just one day, we would clearly see how weighty the consequences of our sins truly are. Without delving into all our past wrongdoings, let us examine just today’s transgressions. Even without full knowledge of our sins, countless failings come to mind. Who among you hasn’t faltered in prayer? Who hasn’t struggled with pride, vain thoughts, unkind words toward a fellow believer, malicious desires, or impure gazes? Who hasn’t allowed bitterness to arise within? If we can become guilty of such sins in a brief time spent together in worship, what might we become once we step outside these walls? If we struggle with these issues among ourselves, what can be expected in the world outside, where we engage with the trials of daily life?\\n\\nDespite our failures, God has extended to us a straightforward path to liberation from sin. How challenging can it be to forgive those who hurt us? It is not the act of forgiveness that burdens us; rather, it is clinging to resentment that weighs us down. True freedom from anger not only liberates the soul but brings an inner peace. It does not require a perilous journey or great sacrifice; all it takes is the intention to forgive, and all sins are washed away. Yet, if one chooses not to forgive and instead petitions God for vengeance, what hope remains for deliverance? How can an unrepentant heart expect mercy from God while simultaneously acting in defiance of His commands? \\n\\nPaul reminds us of the importance of prayer and the necessity of holding steadfastly to love: “But he that lifteth up holy hands without wrath and doubting” (1 Tim. 2:8). If you nurture anger even when seeking forgiveness, embedding it in your heart while knowing it does harm, you forfeit the ability to cultivate true compassion and eradicate the venom of hatred. Should you still fail to see the folly and cruelty in praying for vengeance against one’s foes, consider human reactions to such behavior. If someone were to approach you for forgiveness, but upon seeing your adversary, ceased their plea to attack, would you not feel even greater ire? Similarly, when you approach God in prayer yet harbor animosity, you disobey His directive to relinquish anger while requesting that He violates His own righteous commandments. \\n\\nIs it not sufficient punishment that you flout God’s law? Must you also implore Him to act against it? Has He forgotten His commands? He is God, with complete knowledge, who desires His laws be upheld meticulously. He will neither grant your requests that oppose His will nor will He overlook such iniquities; rather, He will hold you in contempt for your petitions. How can you expect to receive what He instructs you to forgo? \\n\\nSome individuals descend into such madness that, not only do they pray for their enemies' ruin, but they curse their offspring or even wish to consume their very being. Do not claim to have contained your bitterness within when you have ardently wished for divine wrath to descend upon your adversary, seeking their eternal ruin, which far exceeds any physical injury. Christ has not taught such malevolence; He has not commanded us to utter blessings or curses in this manner. \\n\\nWhen you say, “Tear him apart, destroy his household, wish for his utter ruin,” you are no less than a murderer or a ravenous beast. Therefore, let us abandon such insanity and instead extend the grace our Lord has shown us to those who wrong us, so that we may align ourselves with our heavenly Father. If we diligently reflect on our sins and diligently scrutinize all our transgressions, both inwardly and outwardly, we may see that even in minor disturbances we are worthy of grave punishment. \\n\\nEven within this sacred space, while the prophets sing and the apostles contribute to the worship of God, we allow ourselves to be distracted by worldly concerns, making a clamor that drowns out the hearing of His teachings. Consider how, in the presence of earthly rulers, all are silent and attentive to decrees read aloud, while here—where the Divine Word is proclaimed—a hubbub ensues. Not merely humans are present; the heavenly hosts join in worship, for the rewards proclaimed are far greater than temporal honors.\\n\\nThus, we ought to tremble at these truths and conduct ourselves with reverence. Instead, we allow disarray to reign as though we inhabit a marketplace, neglecting the holiness of our assembly. Given our negligence—whether in trivial or significant matters—while simultaneously invoking divine vengeance upon our foes, how can we hope for salvation? How should we be amazed if misfortune befalls us when we have added yet another sin to the rest, a prayer devoid of love? Should we not be astonished if no calamities come upon us? The former is a logical outcome of our actions, while the latter would indeed seem remarkable. \\n\\nHow baffling it is that those who oppose God enjoy the blessings of life—the warmth of the sun, the nurturing rain, and countless other graces. Individuals who gorge themselves spiritually yet, through immense cruelty, turn against each other, sinking to savagery. Therefore, understanding all this, let us cast aside the poison within us, extinguish our enmity, and offer prayers befitting our nature. Instead of embodying demonic wrath, let us embrace angelic humility. No matter how one has offended us, let us dwell on our own shortcomings, contemplate the rewards for obedience to His commands, and quell our rage, promoting serenity in this life, so that we may greet our Lord joyfully in the hereafter. Should the task seem daunting, let us strive to transform it into an act of grace, opening wide the doors of boldness before God. By responding to those who offend us with goodness and forgiveness, we prepare ourselves to receive great mercy. Thus, in this life, we will be beloved by all, especially by God, who will crown us and bestow upon us eternal blessings, which we may receive through the grace and generosity of our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom be glory and dominion forever. Amen."},{"author-name":"Maximus the Confessor","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8951a1dea23713695271e_Maximus%20the%20Confessor.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":7,"exegesis-text":"A soul that nurtures animosity towards another cannot find peace with God, who has issued this command: ‘If you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses’ (Matthew 6:15). While your brother may not desire reconciliation, you should guard against resentment by earnestly praying for him and refraining from speaking ill of him to others."},{"author-name":"Euthymios Zigabenos","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":11,"exegesis-text":"As we have reiterated, the discourse on this matter has been expanded, emphasizing that such a deed is deeply cherished by God. Consider the magnitude of His humanity. He has entrusted us with the ability to forgive those who transgress against us. You may argue that the offenses of the one who wronged you are vast and numerous, but reflect on your own transgressions, which may be even greater. Additionally, he has sinned against the same servant while you have sinned against the Lord; you seek forgiveness even as you withhold it from others, while God needs no such release. Therefore, if you choose to forgive, you will liberate yourself, for you will have dismissed anger, cast aside retribution, embraced compassion, reconciled with God, and facilitated your own redemption."},{"author-name":"Nicephoros (Theotokis)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8958407451968d9c204fb_Nicephoros%20(Theotokis).png","category":"Christian Authors","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Can you perceive the boundless humanity of God? He does not address us with an authoritative tone as the Sovereign, nor does He impose as the Almighty, nor does He dictate as the Creator of all, but rather, He communicates as a fellow human, fostering mutual agreement. In His interaction with humanity, He stipulates a prerequisite that renders individuals indifferent. He states, “if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” but “if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Remove enmity from your heart so that God may also lift His anger from you. Given such a compassionate and just requirement from the Lord, what must we think of those who, instead of renouncing their neighbor’s wrongdoings, pursue them even to death, while seeking forgiveness for their own sins and spiritual redemption? Our Savior, having conveyed this as a preparation for a joyful fast, then instructs on the nature of fasting itself, stating, “When ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, they have their reward.”"},{"author-name":"Tichon of Zadonsk","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8989ff6b5b4c943e70095_Tichon%20of%20Zadonsk.png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":18,"exegesis-text":"Conversely, the pathway to experiencing God's mercy and the forgiveness of one's sins is barred for those who refuse to pardon their neighbor's wrongs. As our Lord Jesus clearly states: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses.\\" What follows for individuals whose sins remain unforgiven? They face nothing short of the just and righteous judgment of God—eternal condemnation and ceaseless torment in hell, where the guilty will suffer for their violations of God's law forever without ever satisfying divine justice. Reflect on the parable in Matthew, chapter 18, concerning that ungrateful servant to whom his king forgave ten thousand talents, yet he refused to absolve his fellow servant of a mere hundred denarii. \\"Then his sovereign called him and said, ‘Wicked slave! All that debt I forgave you because you begged me; should you not have pardoned your fellow servant, as I pardoned you?’ And being angry, his sovereign gave him up to his tormentors until he had paid him all his debt\\" (Matthew 18:32-34). This serves as a dire warning from God's righteousness to those who stand guilty before Him with countless debts of iniquity, unwilling to overlook even the smallest of debts owed by their neighbor. “So will my heavenly Father,” concludes the Lord of the parable, \\"do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother his trespasses from his heart\\" (Matthew 18:35). \\n\\nWhy is this the case? It is because if you do not forgo your brother’s slight—a petty debt of, say, a hundred pence—God will not relent from your substantial debt of ten thousand talents. In this light, the sins that your neighbor commits against you pale in comparison to the offenses you have committed against the majesty of God. In fact, compared to the grandeur of God, you are as nothing; and so is the entire world when measured against Him, akin to a single drop of water against the vast ocean. Therefore, your own offenses contrast sharply with those against God. If you refuse to forgive such a minor debt to your debtor, God likewise will not forgive you your immense debt. If you, as a human being, deny forgiveness to your fellow man, what assurance can you have of receiving forgiveness from the Almighty and Just God? Your neighbor has wronged you, a fallible human like yourself, yet you hold onto your grudge, even though you have offended the infinite majesty of God through your sins, and expect divine pardon? Should you bring your neighbor to trial, God shall hold you accountable in the same manner. If you seek vengeance against your neighbor, His vengeance will also be upon you. If you imprison another over a trivial debt, you yourself will be cast into prison for your grievous debt, facing eternal torment without the hope of ever settling your account.\\n\\nThus, St. John Chrysostom wisely asserts: \\"Nothing is safer than to forgive an enemy; and nothing is more dangerous than to avenge him.\\" Therefore, it is a grave matter to slander your neighbor, to seek revenge, or to pass judgment! The gates of God's mercy stand wide open to all who repent—whether they be robbers, murderers, fornicators, tax collectors, or any other sinners—but to the wicked, those doors are closed, as they lack true repentance, which is the only means of accessing His throne of grace. Their wickedness ensnares them, rendering their repentance insincere and void. If repentance is merely feigned or half-hearted, it only serves to soothe a troubled conscience, rather than genuine remorse that leads to a true turning away from sin. It is impossible for someone to sincerely pray to God while holding onto unforgiveness toward their neighbor. For how can one utter the words, \\"Father, forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors,\\" found in the Lord's Prayer, while withholding forgiveness from those who have wronged him? God discerns the intentions of the heart, not merely the outward expressions. The nature of one’s heart directly influences the authenticity of their prayer; if the heart is tainted with malice, then the prayer is void. \\n\\nMoreover, such a person may approach God with words asking for forgiveness, yet inwardly rejects this sentiment by refusing to forgive. The divine listens to the heart, not to empty phrases. Consequently, the wicked spirit who retains the same sins leaves prayer not just with their original offenses, but sometimes even with a greater burden. It is written, \\"and his prayer shall be in sin” (Psalm 108:7). This should serve as a sobering reminder to those who attend church to pray, who come to the altar with offerings, believing they pray not only for themselves but also for others—while clinging to anger toward their neighbor. They ought to be cautious, fearing that their prayers and offerings might become a sin against them.\\n\\nWe all encounter conflicts with one another. Your brother may have wronged you recently, just as you may have wronged him in the past. Thus, we are called to forgive each other, allowing for peace and eliminating enmity among us. If everyone sought retribution, society would collapse under the weight of mutual destruction. Indeed, from such hostility arises further malice and vindictiveness, culminating in mutual ruin, much like in times of war. \\"But if ye bite and devour one another, beware lest ye be destroyed one by another,\\" cautions the apostle (Galatians 5:15). The wicked wreak havoc within society, whereas the humble lift it through their patience.\\n\\nThe urge to retaliate is fruitless and burdensome; it often leads to greater woes for the one seeking revenge. Many discover that in their attempts to harm others, they only ensnare themselves in greater misfortunes, encountering the very traps they set for others. Haman, for instance, met his end on the gallows he had constructed for the innocent Mordecai (see Esther 6:10)."},{"author-name":"Abbot Panteleimon about the Trinity","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c96d263b8c22d9c467bdab_no-pic-theosis.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"\\"And if you do not forgive others their wrongdoings,\\" says the Lord, \\"then your Father will not forgive your transgressions.\\" St. Chrysostom observes that the Lord references the heavenly Father to instill a sense of shame in the listener. To be a child of God, one requires not only grace but also righteous deeds. Nothing resembles God more closely than when we extend forgiveness to those who wrong us. Thus, what judgment awaits those who not only refuse to forgive but also implore God for retribution against their adversaries, while God orchestrates all things to eliminate enmity among us? The essence of all goodness is love; hence, He eradicates everything that could compromise love. Indeed, no one—be it father, mother, friend, or anyone else—loves us more than God, our Creator. Wanting us to be liberated from numerous and significant sins, God presents us with a straightforward, simple, and accessible path. Is there any difficulty in forgiving someone who has wronged us? It is not the act of forgiveness but the maintenance of resentment that requires effort. In contrast, letting go of anger is effortless, and it fosters tranquility within. Therefore, seek God's forgiveness for your own sins; however, to ensure that your prayers soar more swiftly and freely to Him, grant them wings: one wing is almsgiving, charity, and love—even towards enemies; the other wing is fasting. Those who genuinely mourn their sins will not find their thoughts consumed with food. This is why repentance is closely tied to fasting. A truly penitent soul naturally inclines towards fasting. \\"The perishable body weighs down the soul,\\" states the Wise One. Even Adam fasted in paradise; God commanded him not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, and he consumed only the fruits of paradise, avoiding meat and fish. Thus, even in paradise and for an innocent person, fasting was essential for closeness to God. This necessity increases even more for humanity, which is marred and distanced from God because of sin. It is evident that the Mother of God observed fasting, along with the great Forerunner of Christ, John, and the God-seers—prophets Moses and Elijah—as well as the apostles and all saints from both the Old and New Testaments. Based on this, is fasting not imperative for us? When the apostles inquired of the Lord why they were unable to cast out a mute and deaf demon, He replied that this kind can only be driven out through prayer and fasting (Mk. 9:29). \\"Do you see,\\" remarks St. Philaret, \\"how powerful is the combination of fasting and prayer? If the apostles required it, do we not need it as well? It assisted the miracle workers, so can we disregard its support? It plays a crucial role in conquering the tormenting spirit of evil; will it not prove even more effective in subduing the flesh that contends against the spirit?\\" Therefore, Christ Himself has set us a model, an example of fasting, that we may walk in His footsteps (1 Pet. 2:21)."},{"author-name":"Ignatij (Briantchaninow)","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88ce37597540c9caa5df5_Ignatij%20(Briantchaninow).png","category":"Holy Fathers and Teachers","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Lord instructs us to pardon our neighbors for the wrongs they commit against us: “But if you forgive men their trespasses,” He declared, “your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14-15). From these profound words, it is clear that a genuine indication of the forgiveness of our sins is when we truly feel in our hearts that we have released our neighbors from all their offenses towards us. This state can only come about through Divine grace; it is a divine gift. Until we receive this grace, we are called, according to the Lord's guidance, to reflect on our conscience before each prayer. If we find remorse within, we must cleanse it through the aforementioned actions: praying for our adversaries and bestowing blessings upon them (Mk. 11:25). When thoughts of our enemies arise, let us allow no thoughts other than those of prayer and blessing."},{"author-name":"Gladkow B.I.","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c88bf0ceef8c96e09a6521_Gladkow%20B.I..png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The Warning Against Extravagant Fasting \\nIn cautioning His disciples against the dangers of prideful display, Jesus Christ instructed them to avoid performing righteous acts and praying for the sake of public admiration. Similarly, He encouraged us to engage in fasting in a manner that goes unnoticed by others. \\nThe Significance of Fasting \\nAs mentioned earlier, overindulgence in food and drink can burden the body, cloud the mind, and weaken the resolve. Most of us have likely experienced the repercussions of such excess. Thus, at times, refraining from food and drink becomes essential to bring the body into submission to the spirit. This is particularly crucial in the fight against temptation and for gaining a clearer awareness of one’s transgressions, self-examination, and repentance. The abstention from food and drink can vary in extent and duration, depending on the individual’s strength and the intensity of the temptation faced. Ultimately, fasting should be for one's own benefit, aimed at empowering the spirit over an indulgent body, rather than for the sake of outward appearances. The Pharisees of that time were particularly focused on maintaining a façade of fasting. The Jewish custom often included frequent washing and anointing, necessary for the hot climate of Palestine. However, the Pharisees would avoid grooming, dishevel their hair, don tattered clothing, and sprinkle ashes on their heads, all in an effort to attract attention and mislead others with their strange demeanor. They were more concerned with the appearance of righteousness than with true fasting; those they deceived commended them for their supposed devotion, satisfying the very reason for their hypocrisy. In contrast, Christ calls for a different approach to fasting among His followers. He urges against being somber or forlorn while fasting, to maintain one’s usual appearance, and to avoid drawing attention. After all, fasting is not for others to witness, but for the individual and before the heavenly Father who sees all that is done in secret, including our innermost thoughts; He will reward sincere acts of goodness, prayers, and fasting done discreetly. \\nIt has been reiterated that the teachings of Christ do not prohibit the open practice of good deeds and prayers as long as they are not motivated by the desire for public recognition. Likewise, visible fasting is permissible if it serves to discipline the body for the spirit’s benefit, facilitating prayer and repentance, rather than for the sake of being seen and praised by others. The ultimate aim of human life on earth is to attain eternal happiness in the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, one should focus solely on what moves them towards this end: selfless love for others, including one’s adversaries, performing acts of kindness, engaging in self-reflection, repentance, fasting, and prayer. These constitute the invaluable treasures necessary for entering the Kingdom of Heaven, which cannot be taken by thieves or eroded by moth or rust, unlike worldly treasures that are ephemeral and easily lost."},{"author-name":"Paul Matwejewski","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8969f5be0d592d5a10576_Paul%20Matwejewski.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"Christ the Redeemer imparted the essential model of prayer, which He reiterated upon the request of one of His followers (Lk. 11:1-4 - see interpretation there). The effectiveness of the prayer for the forgiveness of sins is contingent upon our willingness to forgive others their offenses against us: if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive you your trespasses."},{"author-name":"Alexander Gorsky","author-image":"https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6864003fdf3714da6ff0b33a/68c8884037c1e1c51e1332e2_Alexander%20Gorsky.png","category":"Christian Authors","century":19,"exegesis-text":"The outward displays of righteousness demonstrated by the Pharisees, such as giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting, were equivalent to the law itself. The Lord taught His disciples how to perceive these practices: to give alms, pray, and fast, but not in the manner typical of the Pharisees. He provided a model for prayer that highlighted the primary desires and petitions of a Christian's heart. His instruction included a warning against attachment to worldly riches, which the Pharisees did not consider sinful, and an exhortation not to become entangled in secular preoccupations. Instead of following the Pharisaical path, believers were to avoid vice without condemning those who fell into sin while also safeguarding the sanctity of holy matters.\\n\\nBy establishing these principles for His followers, the Lord identified the key differences between their righteousness and that of the Pharisees, laying a solid foundation for the spiritual formation of His devoted community. These teachings were not only relevant to those present at the time but were designed to guide all believers throughout the ages, rooted in the eternal truths of Divine holiness and the moral principles embedded in human nature by the Creator.\\n\\nThe chosen ones had not received formal training, save for a few who were previously disciples of John, including Andrew and John. The Lord selected those who demonstrated true love and trust, like innocent children, untouched by misguided ambitions. He personally educated them, instructing them through words and actions, both privately and publicly, whether in homes, on journeys, on land, or at sea. He clarified what was obscure to others, making them witnesses to His life and miracles. Gradually, He dispelled the misunderstandings from Jewish teachings. While He did not eliminate every instance of error, He transformed these into lessons. He encouraged them to engage in discussions about familiar topics while making it apparent that He was aware not only of their spoken words but also of their unspoken thoughts. He guided the inclination of their hearts, aligning them with their responsibilities.\\n\\nUltimately, He purified and illuminated their minds and spirits, preparing them for the complete outpouring of the Spirit of truth and holiness. Initially, they related to the Lord as disciples, but by the end of His earthly ministry, He referred to them as friends, having withheld nothing from them, and ultimately, as brothers."}]}
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