The Lord's Prayer: Debating the Inclusion of 'Forever' - Unveiling the Truth Behind its Ending.

Discover the debate surrounding the inclusion of for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever in the Lord's Prayer. Explore biblical and historical evidence from early Christian writings. Find out how this addition impacts the significance of this powerful prayer.

Should "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever" be included in the Lord's Prayer?

Many Christians are familiar with the Lord's Prayer, a prayer taught by Jesus to His disciples. However, there is some debate over the inclusion of the phrase "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever" at the end of the prayer. In this article, we will explore this topic in more detail, examining different perspectives and evidence from the Bible and early Christian writings.

The Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6:9-13

The Lord's Prayer is found in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 6, verses 9 to 13. In this passage, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray. The prayer starts with adoration and acknowledgement of God's holiness and authority, followed by petitions for daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance from evil.

However, the ending of the prayer differs in various translations. The King James Version includes the phrase "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever," while the English Standard Version and New International Version do not. The New American Standard Bible includes the statement in brackets, noting that the oldest manuscript does not include these words.

Evidence from the Bible and Early Christian Writings

When considering whether the phrase should be included in the Lord's Prayer, we can look at the evidence from the Bible and early Christian writings.

Firstly, it is worth noting that in Luke's Gospel, which also contains a version of the Lord's Prayer, the "kingdom...power...glory" statement is absent (Luke 11:2-4). While this doesn't provide direct evidence for Matthew's version, it does suggest that Luke, who was a careful historian, felt it was not essential to include these words.

Turning to the Greek manuscripts, the phrase is missing from early manuscripts such as Sinaiticus, Vaticanus, Bezae, and Dublinensis. These manuscripts date back to the 4th, 5th, and 6th centuries. The absence of the phrase in these early Greek manuscripts is significant evidence that it was not part of the original text in Matthew's Gospel.

Furthermore, the phrase is not found in the writings of early theologians such as Tertullian, Origen, Cyprian, Ambrose, and Augustine. These theologians lived in the 2nd to 5th centuries and would have been familiar with the Lord's Prayer. Their omission of the "kingdom...power...glory" statement suggests that it was not originally included.

However, it is worth mentioning that the phrase does appear in some early references, such as the Didache, a 2nd-century Christian document (minus "the kingdom"). While this doesn't prove its inclusion in Matthew's Gospel, it does show that the phrase was known and used in early Christian worship.

A Doxological Addition

Based on the available evidence, it seems likely that the phrase "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever" was a doxological addition in later manuscripts and Christian worship. It may have originated as a hymnic addition to facilitate a worshipful reading of the Lord's Prayer.

While the statement itself is true—God's kingdom, power, and glory are eternal—it is probable that it was not part of Jesus' original teaching in Matthew 6:9-13. This perspective aligns with the earliest Greek manuscripts and the absence of the phrase in the writings of early theologians.

The Significance of the Lord's Prayer

Regardless of whether or not the "kingdom...power...glory" statement is included, the Lord's Prayer remains a powerful and meaningful prayer for Christians worldwide. Its structure and content provide a framework for expressing our adoration, dependence, and trust in God.

This prayer reminds us of God's holiness and authority, our need for daily provision, the importance of forgiveness, and the need for deliverance from evil. It serves as a model for our own prayers, guiding us to approach God with reverence and humility, and to seek His will in our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the inclusion of the phrase "for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever" in the Lord's Prayer is a matter of debate among Christians. While some translations include it, the evidence from the earliest Greek manuscripts and the absence of the phrase in early Christian writings suggest that it was not part of the original text in Matthew's Gospel.

However, it is important to note that the Lord's Prayer remains a significant and powerful prayer for Christians. Its structure and content provide a model for our own prayers, guiding us to approach God with reverence and trust. Whether or not we include the "kingdom...power...glory" statement, the essence of the prayer remains unchanged: a heartfelt expression of our dependence on and relationship with God.