Matthew 6:15 (KJV)

What does Matthew 6:15 mean?

Matthew 6:15 says that if you do not forgive other people for their wrongs, your heavenly Father will not forgive your own wrongs. The verse makes a direct connection between how you treat others and how God treats you regarding forgiveness.

In Matthew 6:15, Jesus is speaking to a crowd during the Sermon on the Mount, teaching about prayer and forgiveness. He is emphasizing that forgiving others is not optional for those who seek God's forgiveness. The statement comes right after the Lord’s Prayer, highlighting that forgiveness is a core part of living out faith in daily relationships.

The Greek behind Matthew 6:15

• ἀφῆτε (a-phē-te, "forgive"): This Greek word means to let go, release, or send away. In this context, it refers to releasing someone from the debt of their wrongdoing against you, not holding it against them.
• παραπτώματα (paraptōmata, "trespasses"): This word means missteps, faults, or offenses. It covers a range of wrong actions, not just intentional harm but also mistakes or failings.
• οὐδὲ (oude, "neither"): This word strongly links your action to God's response, making the connection clear and absolute—if you do not forgive, God will not forgive.

Why Matthew 6:15 matters

• Matthew 6:15 clears up any idea that forgiveness is just a suggestion; Jesus presents it as a requirement for those who want God’s forgiveness.
• The verse highlights the seriousness with which Jesus treats relationships between people, showing that spiritual life is deeply tied to how we treat others.
• By placing this teaching immediately after the Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:15 connects personal prayer to real-life actions, stressing that faith and daily behavior cannot be separated.