So likewise shall my heavenly Father
This is the accommodation and application of the parable, and
opens the design and intent of it; showing that God, who is
Christ's Father, that is in heaven, will act in like manner
towards all such persons, who are cruel and hard hearted to their
brethren, and are of merciless and unforgiving spirits; for so it
is said,
he will do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive
not every
one his brother their trespasses.
The phrase, "their trespasses", is omitted by the Vulgate Latin,
the Arabic, and the Ethiopic versions, but is in all the Greek
copies; and designs not pecuniary debts, though these are to be
forgiven, and not rigorously exacted in some cases, and
circumstances; but all injuries by word or deed, all offences,
though ever so justly taken, or unjustly given; these should be
forgiven fully, freely, and from the heart, forgetting, as well
as forgiving, not upbraiding with them, or with former offences,
and aggravating them; and should also pray to God that he would
forgive also. It is certainly the will of God, that we should
forgive one another all trespasses and offences. The examples of
God and Christ should lead and engage unto it; the pardon of sin
received by ourselves from the hands of God strongly enforces it;
the peace and comfort of communion in public ordinances require
it; the reverse is contrary to the spirit and character of
Christians, is very displeasing to our heavenly Father, greatly
unlike to Christ, and grieving to the Spirit of God.