Brian Stone

Where is the Ending of Matthew 6:13?

The video and the text is below…

Most Bible translations, including the NIV and ESV, do not have the end of Matthew 6:13 in the flow of the Text, which reads, “For Yours is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” However, they do place it as a footnote. Most people are not aware that there are small discrepancies like this in a few places in the Bible.

Let me say from the beginning, this in no way undermines the authority of the Bible you have in your hand. It is absolutely trustworthy in all things.

The reality is we do not have the original documents written by the biblical authors. Our Bibles are dependant of copies of the originals written down by scribes throughout the centuries. Scholars who study Textual Criticism have put together two main compilations of NT manuscripts, Majority Text and the Critical Text.

• Majority Text- emphasizes the number of copies and the consistency between them. We have such a high volume with amazing consistency that we get an accurate picture of the original writings. However, to have a great number many of them also have a late date.
• Critical Text- emphasizes the early date of the manuscripts. So even though they have a smaller number of copies they value the early date.

The issue is that the end of Matthew 6:13 is not found in any of the early manuscripts but it does show up in a large number of later manuscripts.

The reason we are so familiar with it is because the KJV is based on the Majority Text and this was the popular translation in our American religious history.

Today most NT scholars hold to the critical text and believe the early manuscripts are most reliable. This is what the NASB, ESV, NIV and other popular translations are based on.

We do see the harmony and respect between the two camps as all Bible translations make note of this ending. I like the way the NASB handles it. They have it in the flow of the text in brackets with a footnote. So you kind of get both.

How did this verse get here if it’s not original?

Most likely a scribe who read from his manuscript in the early church wrote in the margin this ending doxology, which the church would proclaim after reading the Lord’s Prayer. As this manuscript was copied it became part of the flow of the prayer.

However, most scholars believe this is a biblical doxology is taken from a very reliable passage of Scripture, 1 Chronicles 29:11.

Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory…this is almost word for word, and it goes on to state… and the victory and the majesty, indeed everything that is in the heavens and the earth, Yours in the dominion, O Lord, and You exalt Yourself as head over all.

As you study the Lord’s Prayer you will see that this is exactly what the Lord had in mind.

A few things to consider:

1. This kind of issue does not mean you need to question every verse in your Bible. That is malicious and unwarranted reaction.
2. This actually strengthens the credibility of your Bible. This is an authentic and honest evaluation of the inspired Word.
3. Anything that is questionable is marked in your Bible. There is 98.5% agreement with the over 5,000 early and later Greek manuscripts. We can be confident that the Bible in your hand is 98.5% exactly what the authors originally wrote. This is impossible, screams divine endurance and there is no other ancient document with this kind of consistency.
4. The 1.5% we are unsure of are finite issues such as spelling of a word, endings and tenses of words, word order in a sentence, and little things like this. When we have phrases like this one we can usually find it almost word for word in another portion of Scripture. Even when we have several verses there are none that overturn any doctrine of belief taught in the rest of the Bible. This is not a doctrinal issue, it’s not even an inspiration issue; it is simply our best effort to get everything exact.
5. You can be certain that your Bible is 100% true. The Bible you read from is 100% without a doubt trustworthy and reliable.

You have the best copy of the exact inspired Word of God in your hand and this little issue does not change that.

My last post was the list of verses I used in a recent sermon when I filled in for our senior pastor. Here is a clip where I preach those verses. Hope you’re encouraged!

To see the full sermon follow the link below and simply scroll down and click on Philemon (6.5.11):http://kingsland.org/dlgMediaPlayer.aspx?id=1295

I recently preached a sermon and at the end listed 38 Bible verses that begin to describe what it means to be in Christ (there are many more throughout scripture). In the sermon I only mentioned the book and chapter with the truth they teach, I have included the verse reference here but hope you will take the time read the context and better grasp each truth. I hope to post this video clip from the sermon soon.

What it means to be “in Christ”

Do you realize that the moment we step in to Christ we are not longer the same person but have been born again into a new life as a new person?

So many things radically change at the moment of salvation…

• Eph. 2:1-5 – once dead but now have been made alive
• Titus 3:5 – washed and regenerated by the Holy Spirit
• John 14:17 – Spirit of Christ in with you and in you
• Eph. 5:18 – as you yield to the Spirit you are filled with the Spirit
• Ro. 6:4 – baptized in the death and resurrection of Christ
• 1 Co. 6:11 – positionally sanctified in Christ
• 2 Co. 5:18 – reconciled to God
• 2 Co. 5:21 – imputed with the righteousness of Christ
• 2 Co. 5:17 – new creation, old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new.

You are not the same person!

I haven’t mentioned some the basics yet.

• Col. 2:13 – forgiven of all your sins
• John 3:16 – born again
• John 6:47 – given eternal life
• John 17:3 – experiential relationship with the Father
• Eph. 2:10 – His workmanship created in Christ for His purposes

You are now part of the out working of the eternal plans of God in the world!

And then there is the book of Romans

• Ro. 3:24 – justified before God
• Ro. 4:5 – credited with righteousness
• Ro. 5:1 – at peace with God
• Ro. 6:11 – dead to sin and alive in Christ
• Ro 7:6 – set free from the bondage of the Law
• Ro. 8:15 – adopted into His family
• Ro. 8:35-39 – nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus

 I wish we had time to go through everything because there is more…

• 1 Pt. 2:9-10 – become acceptable to God
• Eph. 2:13 – brought near to Him
• Ro. 5:9 – the object of His “much more” care and love
• 2 Co. 4:3-4 – delivered from the power of darkness
• Col. 1:13 – translated into the Kingdom of His Son
• Matt. 7:24-27 – we have been placed on the solid rock of Jesus Christ
• 1 Co. 12 – Fellowship of the saints, placed in the body of Christ, and uniquely gifted to edify others for His glory
• 2 Co. 5:20 – ambassador and representative of Christ in the world
• John 17:6 – You are now a gift from God the Father to His Son Jesus Christ

You are a gift!

 And all of these things are forever secure for us… 

• Eph. 2:8-9 – salvation is the gift of God to us
• Ro. 11:29 – the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable

Listen…

• John 10:27-30 – placed in the hand of the Father and no one can snatch us out
• John 6:37-39 – Jesus is standing guard making sure none get lost
• Eph. 1:13-14 – sealed by the Holy Spirit which is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the day of redemption

The Trinity is a work keeping you secure in Christ!

• 1 Pt. 1:3-5 – recipients of an inheritance that is imperishable and will never spoil or fade, reserved in heaven for us
• Phil. 3:20 – this is where our permanent citizenship is, we are citizens of heaven
• Ro 8:1 – no condemnation for those of us who are in Christ Jesus…you have escaped the condemnation of God and you should allow others to experience this escape…especially within the body of Christ. Even further, you should recognize this is true for you and not submit to the condemnation of others.

I wish we had time to go through everything. I have not even mentioned Ephesians chapter 1 or spent time in Romans 8…but I pray that you will.

Go and live out in your practice what is true for you in position.

My Prayer (really it’s Paul’s in Ephesians 1:18-21)

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.

Forgiveness can be a hard thing.  All of us have been through situations with others that has challenged us to apply our faith and extend the grace of God in real way. This is challenging from work to family to marriage and beyond. There are numerous lessons we can learn about forgiveness. Here are three important aspects:

Forgiveness is a demonstration God’s grace

Colossians 3:13-14 - “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

That last part hurts a bit. We are called to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us. We were forgiven “yet while we were still sinners.” God knowing all things past, present and future has forgiven us by grace through faith. We are to forgive others in this same way.

Forgiveness impacts your relationship with God

Matthew 6:14-15 –  “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”

Withholding forgiveness not only misrepresents Christ but is sin and therefore hinders your fellowship with God.

Forgiveness is inexhaustible

Matthew 18:21-22 - Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.”

Putting a limit on forgiveness is not the heart God desires.

Why are we to forgive this way?

forgiveness is not about you or the other person, it’s primarily about God. It’s about demonstrating to the world the love and grace of God. If you can view being offended as an opportunity to display the love and grace of God it can motivate you to be a unique light in an often dark place.

President George Bush did this very thing. In fact, he was challenged with the opportunity to forgive one of the people responsible for what he refers to as the lowest ebb of his presidency.

Check it out the video of Bush forgiving Kanye West

http://www.hulu.com/watch/192188/nbc-today-show-bush-‘appreciates’-west’s-racist-label-recant

Steve Harvey is most known for his comedy, both in stand up and in movies. I don’t know much about him other than he seems to have had a real experience with Jesus as his Savior. Who knows what life change this could bring but  it seems to have mad its way into his show. For that, I give him props. It’s not as though he is really sharing the gospel but I would guess most of his audience know what they need to believe for salvation. What they need is someone to follow to the throne of grace. Someone to remind them of His greatness. Someone to stand up and boldly proclaim the name of Jesus! In this part of his comedy routine Steve Harvey does just that.

The challenging questions are: How do I stand up for Christ where I work? How am I using what I do to lead people to the throne of grace? How am I reminding people of His greatness when I have their attention? How am I boldly proclaiming the name of Jesus!

The fun question is: How would you introduce Christ?

You can also see his heartfelt and emotional testimony as he shares how he was brought back to Christ.