Do I have to forgive others to be forgiven by God?

Chuck Smith, Living Water, chapter 23: In His model prayer, Jesus included this petition: 'And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." At the end of the prayer Jesus paused to emphasize this petition. "For if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses," He said (Matthew 6:15). This means Jesus made our forgiveness dependent upon our being forgiving. Some of you theologians may want to argue this point, but don't do it with me - talk to Jesus. He's the One who said it. The Lord's basic point was this: Having received forgiveness from God, we should forgive others. Scripture, King James Version: Matthew 6:15, "But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.". From Chuck Smith's books, used by permission of The Word For Today.

Verified. Every scripture quotation on this page has been checked word-for-word against the King James text. Last reviewed 2026-10-15.

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Do I have to forgive others to be forgiven by God? → wsb.bible/answers/do-i-have-to-forgive-others-to-be-forgiven-by-god

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