Forgiveness: Release From the Debt that Cannot be Repaid

Matthew 18:21-35

Then came Peter (Petros) to him, and said, "Lord, how oft shall my brother (adelphos - one of the same womb) sin against me, and I forgive him, 'till seven times?"

"The Iesous saith unto him, I say not unto thee, until seven times: but, until seven times seven."

Therefore, is the Kingdom of Heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take account of his servants. 

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents.  But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children and all that he had and payment to be made."

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, "Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."  Then the lord of the servant was moved with compassion and loosed (apelusen - to set loose from a bond or imprisonment) him, and forgave (to send off from one) the debt.

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, which owed him a hundred pence: and laid hands on him, and too, him by the throat, saying, "Pay me that thou owest." 

And his fellow servant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, "Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all."  And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.  Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, "O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: shouldest not thou also have had compassion on they fellow servant, even as I had pity on thee?"

And his lord was wroth and delivered him into the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.  So, likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his brother their trespasses.

Some years ago I was involved in a ministry whose primary outreach was to those who were victims of the Holocaust of World War II.  When I first met with them it was a bitter-sweet experience.  I was privy to stories of unspeakable horror and survival.

I remember one woman who had been imprisoned in a camp during the war.  She stood out for me because during one particular meeting she stood up and spoke to the group.  She told the group of her experience in the camp and what she suffered and how through forgiveness she released her captors from their criminal abuse and disregard of her.

Interestingly, there was also a person in this group who was a prison guard at one of the camps.  He was there seeking a redemptive word.  He wanted forgiveness for his sin against his brothers.  Through this group he received the redemptive word that he knew he intrinsically needed.

The word 'forgiveness' in the Greek text is aphete and it means to send off from one.  When I release others from the bond that I am owed and send off from them the debt that cannot be repaid, I too, am released into life.

For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching, please visit his web site.