Every day millions of Christians begin the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father who art in heaven…” but then get to the Sixth Petition, “Lead us not into temptation.” That’s puzzled Christians for centuries. James 1:13 says, “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.” What does Jesus really mean?
“Pope Francis said the common rendering of one line in the prayer – ‘lead us not into temptation’ – was ‘not a good translation’ from ancient texts. ‘Do not let us fall into temptation,’ he suggested might be better because God does not lead people into temptation; Satan does.” (New York Times, December 9; A4)
In 2006, eleven years before the Pope’s comment, Concordia Publishing House released a commentary on Matthew by Seminary professor Jeffrey Gibbs. “Throughout the history of the church, commentators have tried to show how a kind of ‘permissive’ force might be a way out of the dilemma: ‘Do not let us fall victim to temptation’ or ‘Do not let us be tempted.’ However, at the very least, that is not a normal force for the Greek verb to have; the proposed paraphrases end up changing the meaning…from ‘bring (someone) into’ to ‘to permit, allow someone else to bring (someone) in.’” (338-339)
Dr. Gibbs understands the Sixth Petition in light of the Seventh: “Do not bring us into temptation; rather, deliver us from the evil one.” “The Sixth Petition must not…be read or prayed apart from the Seventh, which is the real thrust of (Matthew) 6:13….The first clause acknowledges that God will send Jesus’ disciples into the fray, but the two clauses prayed together implore that he not only send them, but even more, be present to deliver them in the battle. This prayer acknowledges the ongoing character of the battle between Christ Jesus and Satan, the battle that will rage until the consummation of all things.” (345).
What battle against Satan and evil will you be brought into today? “Deliver us from the evil one!” Thank you, Dr. Gibbs.
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