Early Christian Commentary Matthew Chapter 6:9-13

Summary:

In the Lord’s prayer is comprised an epitome of the whole Gospel (TERTULLIAN).

The Lord teaches us of the Father who is in heaven (IRENAEUS).

It is indisputable then that the Lord is the Son of the Creator (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA).

The Father is always the Father, since the Son is always with Him, on account of whom He is called the Father (ALEXANDER OF ALEXANDRIA).

The Father is above all (HIPPOLYTUS). 

We are not permitted to pray to any other (ORIGEN).

When we call God Father, we ought to act as God’s children (CYPRIAN).

What, moreover, does God will, but that we should walk according to His discipline? (TERTULLIAN).

He who prays for the coming of the kingdom of God prays for rising and fruit bearing and perfecting of God's kingdom within him (ORIGEN).

We ask that the kingdom of God may be set forth to us, even as we also ask that His name may be sanctified in us (CYPRIAN). 

Give us today our daily “needful bread” (THE DIDACHE) or “the food of today” (TATIAN).

We are enjoined to ask what is sufficient for the preservation of the substance of the body: not luxury (HIPPOLYTUS).

TERTULLIAN, ORIGEN and CYPRIAN also believed Christ is the “daily bread” for Christians. It was not only in words, but in deeds also, that the Lord taught us to pray (CYPRIAN).

He has taught us to say in prayer, “And forgive us our debts;” since indeed He is our Father, whose debtors we were, having transgressed His commandments (IRENAEUS).

A Christian never remembers those who have sinned against him, but forgives them (CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA).

The Lord knew Himself to be the only guiltless One, and so He teaches that we beg “to have our debts remitted us” (TERTULLIAN).

Let us pray for nothing else but pardon for our sins, even though we have none (LACTANTIUS).

“Lead us not into temptation:” that is, do not allow us to be led into it, by him who tempts; but far be the thought that the Lord should seem to tempt (TERTULLIAN).

We ought therefore to pray, not that we be not tempted— that is impossible—but that we would not be encompassed by temptation (ORIGEN). 

It is shown that the adversary can do nothing against us except God shall have previously permitted it (CYPRIAN).

And when we say, “Deliver us from evil,” there remains nothing further which ought to be asked (CYPRIAN).

Three times in a day thus pray (THE DIDACHE).

For extended discussion, see ORIGEN (On Prayer, xii-xix), TERTULLIAN (3.681-684), and CYPRIAN (5.447- 457).