And when ye stand praying
Are about to engage in that work, or are engaged in it,
performing it in such a posture; for standing was an usual
posture in praying; (See Gill on Matthew
6:5);
forgive, if ye have ought against any, that your Father
also in
heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
The sense is, that if, while a man is praying, it comes into his
mind that such an one has committed a trespass against him, has
done him an injury, of which he has just reason to complain; but
instead of complaining of it before God, and calling upon him to
avenge his cause, he should immediately in his heart, and from
his heart, forgive him, even though he is not present to
acknowledge his sin, and ask his pardon; and such an one may
expect forgiveness of God, and a manifestation of it to his soul;
which is one the things he is constantly praying for, as his
daily case makes it necessary: not that it is to be understood as
though his for, giving the person that has offended him, is the
cause, or condition, of his receiving remission of sin at the
hand of God; for then it would not be through the blood of
Christ, and according to the riches of his grace; but this points
at a temper and disposition of mind well pleasing to God, and
describes persons who may expect this favour from him; (See
Gill on Matthew
6:14).