An Orthodox Catechism

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Zacharias Ursinus and Caspar Olevianus

    Question 126

    Section 51: Lord’s Day 51

    Which is the fifth petition?

    “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors;”a that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood,b not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us; even as we feel this evidence of thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution, from the heart, to forgive our neighbour.c

    1. a. Matthew 6:12

      Matthew 6:12

      6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

      6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    2. b. Psalm 51:1; 1 John 2:1–2

      Psalm 51:1

      51:1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

      51:1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.

      1 John 2:1–2

      2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

      2:1 My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate before the Father-Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2:2 He Himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    3. c. Matthew 6:14–15

      Matthew 6:14–15

      6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

      6:14 For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 6:15 But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.

      King James VersionBerean Standard Bible

    Diff style

    Changes in An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 149

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 149

    Which What is the fifth Petition?

    “And Forgive us our debts Trespasses, as we forgive our debtors;” them that trespass against us. That is, be pleased even for the sake of Christ’s Blood of Christ do not to impute to unto us poor most miserable and wretched sinners all our transgressions, nor Offences, neither that depravity, Corruption which always to still cleaveth unto us, even as we also feel this evidence Testimony of thy Grace in us, that it is firm resolution, the heart, to forgive neighbour.our Hearts, that we stedfastly purpose unfeignedly from our Hearts, to pardon and forgive all those who have offended us.

    Heidelberg Catechism (1563), Question 126

    Which is the fifth petition?

    “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors;” that is, be pleased for the sake of Christ’s blood, not to impute to us poor sinners, our transgressions, nor that depravity, which always cleaves to us; even as we feel this evidence of thy grace in us, that it is our firm resolution, from the heart, to forgive our neighbour.

    An Orthodox Catechism (1680), Question 149

    What is the fifth Petition?

    Forgive us our Trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. That is, even for the Blood of Christ do not impute unto us most miserable and wretched sinners all our Offences, neither that Corruption which still cleaveth unto us, even as we also feel this Testimony of thy Grace in our Hearts, that we stedfastly purpose unfeignedly from our Hearts, to pardon and forgive all those who have offended us.

    Commentaries (2)

    • Zacharias Ursinus, 1587, The Summe of Christian Religion (2 parts)

      What is the fift petition? Forgiue vs our trespasses, as we forgiue them that trespasse against vs: that is, Euen for the bloude of Christ doe not impute vnto vs most miserable &…

      Zacharias Ursinus’s text

    • Jeremias Bastingius, 1591, A Catechisme of Christian Religion, with the Arguments and Use

      THE ARGVMENT. Because the conscience of sinne hindreth men in praying, by reason that the Deuill suggesteth such thoughts, to the end wee might not bee overcome with these…

      Jeremias Bastingius’s text