Matthew 18:22

Amharic Tigrinya 2011

የሱስ በሎ ፡ ክሳዕ ሰብዓ ሳዕ ሾብዓተ እምበር። ክሳዕ ሾብዓተ ሳዕ ኣይብለካን ።

What Does This Mean?

In Matthew 18:22, Jesus says that we should forgive others not just seven times but seventy times seven. This means forgiveness should be endless and limitless.

Explained for Children

Imagine you have a friend who keeps breaking your toys by accident. Instead of getting mad after the seventh time, Jesus is saying to keep forgiving them over and over, like counting all the way up to 490! That's how much we should forgive others.

Historical Background

This verse comes from the Gospel of Matthew, written around 80-90 AD. It was aimed at early Christians who needed guidance on how to live together in community, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness within that context.

Living It Out Today

Consider a scenario where you have a coworker who continually makes mistakes that affect your work. Instead of losing patience after several instances, Jesus' teaching encourages ongoing forgiveness and patience toward them.

Topics

• forgiveness
• patience
• love
• grace
• community
• endurance

Related Verses

• Genesis 45:5
• Luke 17:3-4
• Ephesians 4:32
• Colossians 3:13
• 1 Peter 4:8

Frequently Asked Questions

What does 'seventy times seven' mean literally?

'Seventy times seven' is a figure of speech indicating an extremely large number, emphasizing that forgiveness should be endless. It's not meant to be taken as a literal count.

How can we forgive someone 490 times without feeling exhausted?

Forgiveness is a choice and often requires help from God. By relying on His grace, it becomes possible to offer unlimited forgiveness, even when it's hard.

Does this verse mean I should keep forgiving the same person repeatedly for the same offense?

Yes, Jesus emphasizes continuous forgiveness regardless of how many times someone sins against you. However, ensuring one's safety and well-being is also important in practical applications.

How does Matthew 18:22 apply to family relationships?

In families, where conflicts can be frequent, this verse encourages patience and forgiveness as a key part of maintaining healthy and loving relationships with each other.