ISSUE: #46

MEM

Message

Some time ago I had remembered reading that the ending of "The Prayer", most often called ‘the Lord’s Prayer’, was not in the original text. It is not included in the Luke 11 account; so should we say this prayer? And if we do, should we include the spurious ending?

AV Matthew 6: 9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

The issue is with ‘For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’ as recorded in the Authorized Version, which some other versions do not include.

Barnes(1) - It may be proper to remark, that this doxology, "for thine is the kingdom," etc., is wanting in many manuscripts, and that its authenticity is doubtful.

JFB(2) - On a review of the evidence, the strong probability, we think, is that it was not part of the original text.

Clarke(3) - For thine is the kingdom, &c. The whole of this doxology is rejected by Wetstein, Griesbach, and the most eminent critics…

Should we ignore this? This prayer given to the disciples and by extension to us, as an outline to pray has a dubious ending. Where did it come from and does it have value? What do the commentaries say about this?

Clarke - As the doxology is at least very ancient, and was in use among the Jews, as well as all the other petitions of this excellent prayer, it should not, in my opinion, be left out of the text...

Poole(4) - The words both show us that the honor and glory of God ought to be the end and scope of all our prayers, and that we can expect no audience but upon the account of God’s grace and mercy; and they likewise confirm our faith, that God is able to grant what we ask of him.

Gill(5) - For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen. This conclusion is left out in the Arabic and Vulgate Latin versions, as it is in #Lu 11:4. It stands thus in the Jewish prayers… "for the kingdom is thine," and thou shalt reign in glory for ever and ever."

The usual response at the close of prayers, and reading the Shema, instead of "Amen," was this: "Blessed be the name of the glory of his kingdom, for ever and ever."

Which bears some resemblance to this concluding expression, which ascribes everlasting kingdom, power, and glory, to God: which may be considered either as a doxology, or an ascription of glory to God, which is his due; and ought be given him in all our prayers to him; …

Barnes - Thine is the kingdom. That is, thine is the reign or dominion. Thou hast control over all these things, and canst so order them as to answer these petitions.

Thine is the power. Thou hast power to accomplish what we ask. We are weak, and cannot do it; but Thou art almighty, and all things are possible with thee.

Thine is the glory. That is, thine is the honor or praise. Not our honor; but thy glory, thy goodness, will be displayed in providing for our wants; thy power, in defending us; thy praise, in causing thy kingdom to spread through the earth.

This doxology, or ascription of praise, is connected with the prayer by the word "for," to signify that all these things—the reign, power, and glory of God—will be manifested by granting these petitions. It is not because we are to be benefited, but that God’s name and perfections may be manifested. His glory is, then, the first and principal thing which we are to seek when we approach him. We are to suffer our concerns to be sunk and lost sight of in the superior glory and honor of his name and dominion. We are to seek temporal and eternal life, chiefly because the honor of our Maker will be promoted, and his name be more illustriously displayed to his creatures. He is to be "first, last, supremest, best," in our view; and all selfish and worldly views are to be absorbed in that one great desire of the soul that God may be "all in all." Approaching him with these feelings, our prayers will be answered, our devotions will rise like incense, and the lifting up of our hands will be like the evening sacrifice.

Barnes - Amen. This is a word of Hebrew origin, from a verb signifying to be firm, secure, to be true and faithful. It is a word expressing consent or strong approbation, a word of strong asseveration. It means verily, certainly, so be it. It is probable that this word was used by the people in the synagogue to signify their assent to the prayer that was uttered by the minister. And to some extent, it was probably so used in the Christian church. See #1Co 14:16. CJB Otherwise, if you are giving thanks with your spirit, how will someone who has not yet received much instruction be able to say, "Amen, "when you have finished giving thanks, since he doesn’t know what you are saying?

I still was unsure about using this prayer ending (doxology) which is used at many religious gatherings. Then one day I was reading the Matthew 6 account in [Hebraic – Roots Version "New Testament" translated by James S. Trimm]. Verse 13 … for yours is the Kingdom, and the might and the honor (*footnote 109), forever and forever and ever. Amen.

*109 footnote – 1 Chronicles 29: 11-13

MHC(6) - III. The conclusion: For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory, for ever. Amen. Some refer this to David’s doxology, #1Ch 29:11.

1 Chronicles 29: 10 Then David praised the LORD in the presence of the whole assembly:
"O LORD, the God of our ancestor Israel, may you be praised forever and ever!
11 Yours, O LORD, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O LORD, and this is your kingdom. We adore you as the one who is over all things.
12 Wealth and honor come from you alone, for you rule over everything. Power and might are in your hand, and at your discretion people are made great and given strength.
13 "O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name!
14 But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!
15 We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace.
16 "O LORD our God, even this material we have gathered to build a Temple to honor your holy name comes from you! It all belongs to you!
17 I know, my God, that you examine our hearts and rejoice when you find integrity there. You know I have done all this with good motives, and I have watched your people offer their gifts willingly and joyously.
18 "O LORD, the God of our ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, make your people always want to obey you. See to it that their love for you never changes.

NAS - Revelation 5: 12 saying with a loud voice, "Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing."
13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
14 And the four living creatures kept saying, "Amen." And the elders fell down and worshiped.

Clarke - Verse 9. After this manner therefore pray ye: Forms of prayer were frequent among the Jews; and every public teacher gave one to his disciples. Some forms were drawn out to a considerable length, and from these abridgments were made: to the latter sort the following prayer properly belongs, and consequently, besides its own very important use, it is a plan for a more extended devotion. What satisfaction must it be to learn from God himself, with what words, and in what manner, he would have us pray to him, so as not to pray in vain! A king, who draws up the petition which he allows to be presented to himself, has doubtless the fullest determination to grant the request. We do not sufficiently consider the value of this prayer; the respect and attention which it requires; the preference to be given to it; its fullness and perfection: the frequent use we should make of it; and the spirit which we should bring with it. "Lord, teach us how to pray!" is a prayer necessary to prayer; for unless we are divinely instructed in the manner, and influenced by the spirit of true devotion, even the prayer taught us by Jesus Christ may be repeated without profit to our souls.

Verse 10. Thy kingdom come. The ancient Jews scrupled not to say: He prays not at all, in whose prayers there is no mention of the kingdom of God. Hence, they were accustomed to say, "Let him cause his kingdom to reign, and his redemption to flourish: and let the Messiah speedily come and deliver his people."

Matthew 23:10 AV - … for one is your Master, even Christ.
CJB - … ‘because you have one Leader, and he is the Messiah!
ESV - … for you have one instructor, the Christ.
MKJV - … for One is your Teacher, even Christ.

Your kingdom shall reign over all the earth,
Sing unto the Ancient of Days;
For none can compare to Your matchless worth,
Sing unto the Ancient of Days
Every tongue in Heaven and earth
Shall declare Your glory,
Every knee shall bow at Your throne in worship;
You will be exalted, O God, and Your kingdom shall not pass away,
O Ancient of Days.

More scriptures that express "for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever and forever. Amen."

Revelation 6: 6 …to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 7:9-12 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, …they cry out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb." And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures; and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, "Amen, blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might, be to our God forever and ever. Amen."

1 Timothy 1:17 So to the King – eternal, imperishable and invisible, the only God there is – let there be honor and glory for ever and ever! Amen.

Jude 24-25 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory blameless with great joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.

1 Peter 4:11 …so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

So I, along with Adam Clarke, say: As the doxology is at least very ancient, and was in use among the Jews, as well as all the other petitions of this excellent prayer, it should not, in my opinion, be left out of the text...

1 – Barnes New Testament Notes
2 - Jamieson, Fausset, Brown
3 – Adam Clarke’s Commentary
4 – Matthew Poole’s Commentary
5 – John Gills Expositor
6 – Matthew Henry Commentary

Proverb

Proverbs 25:6 Do not claim honor in the presence of the king…

Proverbs 8: 12 "I, wisdom (YHVH), dwell with prudence, And I find knowledge and discretion…
14 "Counsel is mine and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.
15 "By me kings reign, And rulers decree justice.
16 "By me princes rule, and nobles, All who judge rightly.
17 "I love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.

Saying (s)

"When we seek to understand, we show a willingness to be influenced by another person’s point of view." Stephen R. Covey

Proverbs 18:15 (NLT) Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Bible Quiz

1. When Jesus was betrayed, what did one of His followers do to the High Priest’s servant?
2. What were Jewish religious leaders called?
3. What was the chief city in Macedonia where Paul preached?
4. What are three things mentioned in Romans by which one may be justified?
5. What was the second sign that God gave Moses at the burning bush?
6. Who were the first brothers?
7. Who said, "O, sun stand still over Gibeon"?

Humility

"We must believe that when we are broken under a sense of pride and our inability to cast it out, Jesus Christ himself will come to impart this grace as a part of His wonderful life within us." Andrew Murray

All the more reason to give the Father and the Messiah all honor and glory. All things were created by Him and by His power they exist and abide.

Did you know:

Have a history teacher explain this----- if they can.

Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.

Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.

Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.

Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.

Lincoln 's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.

Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.

Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.

John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.

Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.

Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called ' Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'

Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.

Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.

Lighter Side

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:

GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT THE ELDERLY HAVE LEARNED:

The Story of Harry

Harry noticed there were not many smiles on the faces of the gathering congregation. They did not seem much different than those in the Sunday keeping churches. Had he made a mistake?

Trying to slip in un-noticed, Harry quickly walked in behind a family of five. An organ was issuing forth notes of somber worship. Formal looking ushers were handing out the Service bulletin to groups as they hurried down the isles to find their seats. It was only a few minutes until starting time. There were a few empty seats on one side toward the back and he headed in that direction. Those seating themselves seemed to have their favorite spots, as if they were pre-arranged. Harry estimated there were about 1000 people by quickly counting the rows of seats and the number in each row, making allowances for a few empty seats. There must have been another parking lot on the other side of the building because that number of people could not have parked where he did.

The choir was dressed in light blue robes with dark royal blue trim. In front of them was small group of musicians with stringed instruments. All rose and the first hymn started. Looking at the bulletin Harry noticed a list of hymns for the service. He found the hymnal in front of him. He tried to concentrate on the wording and what was being sung as he picked up the tune and joined in with the singing.

After four hymns, all were seated; a young man, dressed neat as a pin, approached the pulpit and made a few announcements about up-coming events, referenced the bulletin and opened with a prayer. Next was a special, a formal musical arrangement. The choir director stood at attention by a small lectern as three adult choir members moved toward the front and gathered around microphones, the rest of the choir stood. The organ began and one violinist stood next to another microphone. The music and singing was absolutely superb. The words to the hymn were projecting great glory to the Creator. Harry was filled with a great humility and sense of awe as they performed.

When the special was completed, the choir was seated and the others returned to their seats. Out to the pulpit came a distinguished looking gentleman. The bulletin gave the Sermon title and outline. It almost seemed rehearsed, or at best well crafted to fit definite doctrinal lines. The speaker, however, was warm and had occasional humor. He made the topic interesting by adding short snippets of interest.

After the Sermon there was another hymn, a prayer and all were dismissed. Harry tried to move inconspicuously through the gathering groups in the aisles and lobby. No one seemed to notice him. It appeared that many gathered in prearranged groups. Some were filing into a couple of other rooms off the circular lobby, these were probably the meetings listed in the bulletin and the marquee in the vestibule. Many were headed out the door and to their vehicles; making a quick exit.

Harry stood off to one side; watching for a while and perusing the bulletin board. He made a few notes of the missions and other community out-reach programs. From a resource table he gathered a couple of flyers and made his way out to his car. By now the parking lot was mostly empty. Harry sat there a while reading the brochures he had picked up, then headed for home.

What to make of all this, he contemplated. Good music, large congregation, neat dress and orderly (formal) procedure, well organized. The Sermon message was clear and presented with a positive perspective. They had several out-reach programs and by his reading about them they seemed well supported. In fact the congregation was probably so involved they did not have time to communicate with him.

Maybe some of it was his own fault; he went there to observe and tried to remain inconspicuous. After all, there was a sign over one office door saying, "New Guests Welcome"; which he did not investigate. There was a couple at an information counter, maybe he could have inquired there about various activities or instructional classes pertaining to membership or denominational policy. Maybe he could have been more friendly himself; maybe he could have walked up to someone and introduced himself. Maybe he could have found someone standing off in a corner somewhere and brought a bit of hope or encouragement to them. Maybe next time.

Next time Harry goes to a small group of Seventh Day worshipers.

Quiz Answers

1. Cut off his right ear with a sword - Luke 22:49-50

2. Priests

3. Philippi - Acts 16:12

4. God’s grace, our faith, and Jesus’ blood - Romans 3:24, 5:1, 5:9

5. Moses’ hand was made leprous and then restored. - Exodus 4:6-8

6. Cain and Abel - Genesis 4:1-2

7. Joshua - Joshua 10:12