Short Studies for such a time as this: "“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins." (Matt. 6:5-15; NIV) 6:5 whenever you pray Prayer, like charitable giving, should be done in secret. This does not prohibit public prayer per se (as in corporate prayer); rather, it prohibits personal prayer done openly for the purpose of recognition. 6:7 like the pagans The focus changes here from “hypocrites” to Gentiles (ethnikoi) 1482 ἐθνικός [ethnikos /eth·nee·kos/] n m. From 1484; TDNT 2:372; TDNTA 201; GK 1618; Two occurrences; AV translates as “heathen” once, and “heathen man” once. 1 adapted to the genius or customs of a people, peculiar to a people, national. 2 suited to the manners or language of foreigners, strange, foreign. 3 in the NT savouring of the nature of pagans, alien to the worship of the true God, heathenish. 3A of the pagan, the Gentile. "their many words": During Jesus’ lifetime, repetition was used in Graeco-Roman religions to pester the gods so they would grant someone’s request. 6:8 "knows what you need": God in His omniscience is aware of the needs of His creation. 6:9 "pray in this way": Jesus gives a template for how to pray after detailing what not to do in v. 5. Compare Luke 11:1–4 and note. Matthew 6:9–13 provides a model for prayer. The sources make no explicit claims regarding Jesus’ intention(s) for creating this prayer, but the context indicates that he was teaching people how to pray (see Luke 11:1). The Prayer includes reverence toward the Father, petitions for divine rule and sustenance, a request for forgiveness, and a desire for rescue. The contents reflect the needs and desires of a first-century peasant community. 6:11 "Give us today our daily bread": The people of rural Galilee were poor and oppressed, and resources such as food were scarce. This prayer reflects the real needs of people living in difficult times. 6:12 "forgive us our debts": Due to their impoverishment, the peasant class was forced to rely on wealthy land owners for their survival; consequently, taxation and debt were high. Additionally, the words used for debt can reflect the Aramaic idiom referring to sin and be rendered “forgive us our sins” (see Luke 11:4). (Jesus spoke Aramaic.) 6:13 "into temptation": Eis peirasmon is better rendered as “into a time of testing/trial.” This refers to hardship in a general sense, not to eschatological judgment. "the evil one Or, “from evil.”: Rather than identify ponērou with a specific entity (“the evil one”), this phrase is best read as a general request for deliverance from evil in its many forms. Following this phrase, many ancient versions add, “For the kingdom and the power and the glory are Yours forever. Amen.” Although this phrase is likely not original, it appears to have been incorporated into Christian liturgy from the earliest days of the Church. It likely comes from David’s speech in 1 Chr 29:11. 6:14 "your heavenly Father will also forgive you": Forgiveness results in forgiveness. Since God has forgiven members of His kingdom, those members must forgive others as well. _________________ Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Barry, J. D., Grigoni, M. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Mangum, D., & Whitehead, M. M. (2012). Faithlife Study Bible . Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. - via biblia; Logos 5; FaithLife Study Bible
Posted on: Sat, 15 Jun 2013 18:32:23 +0000
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