Grace Thompson
There are several ways to recite the fourth line of the Lord's Prayer, with some saying forgive us our debts, others saying trespasses, and others still saying sins. The use of trespasses in the Catholic liturgical tradition and the Catechism is likely due to early English translations of the Bible, such as the Tyndale Bible, which used the word trespasses. This translation may have been chosen to reflect the broader meaning of sin, encompassing both the sense of owing a debt and the sense of trespassing into territory that doesn't belong to us.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholics say "trespasses" because | Trespass is a synonym for sin, and trespassing is crossing a boundary, which is what happens when we sin. |
| Trespasses was used in the first English translation of the Bible, the Tyndale Bible (1526). | |
| The Catechism has "trespasses" at #2759 but "debts" at #2841 and #2845. | |
| Catholics say "sins" because | In Luke's version of the prayer, Jesus says, "forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us." |
| The Greek word used for "sins" is hamartia, which means "sins" or "guilt." |
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What You'll Learn
The Lord's Prayer
The use of "trespasses" or "sins" by Catholics is intriguing. Some sources suggest that the choice between these words depends more on the English-speaking Christian tradition that influenced an individual than the Bible translation they use. Those from Anglican/Episcopal, Methodist, or Roman Catholic traditions are more likely to say "trespasses". This preference for "trespasses" can be traced back to William Tyndale's influential 1526 translation of the Bible into English, which used "trespasses". Later translations, like the 1611 King James Version, used "debts", but Tyndale's interpretation persisted in the Book of Common Prayer and was adopted by Catholics.
The Catechism, a collection of the Church's most traditional and foundational prayers, also uses "trespasses" in the Lord's Prayer: "Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil."
The choice between "trespasses" and "debts" is not merely semantic. "Trespass", meaning the unauthorised crossing of a boundary, captures the sense of sin as crossing the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in God's eyes. "Debt", on the other hand, conveys the idea of sin as an oppressive, insurmountable burden, reflecting the weight of our transgressions against an infinitely good God.
In conclusion, while there is no clear consensus on whether Catholics say "trespasses" or "sins" in the Lord's Prayer, the use of "trespasses" appears to be well-established in Catholic liturgical tradition and captures a nuanced understanding of sin.
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Catholic liturgical tradition
The Catholic liturgical tradition is a broad category encompassing the Latin liturgical rites of the Latin Church and the Eastern Catholic liturgies of the Eastern Catholic Churches. The Catholic Church's understanding of liturgy extends beyond the Holy Mass to include the Liturgy of the Hours, Bible services, and the administration of sacraments and sacramentals. The Second Vatican Council emphasised the importance of liturgy as a means for the faithful to express and manifest the mystery of Christ and the true nature of the Church.
The Catholic liturgical tradition recognises the legitimacy of different rites within the Church, each with its own liturgical practices and ecclesiastical traditions. These rites, such as the Latin, Byzantine, Alexandrian, Syriac, and others, evolved from the early Church's efforts to evangelise in major cultural centres like Rome, Antioch, and Alexandria. Each rite represents a unique ecclesiastical tradition for celebrating the sacraments while preserving their essential form and matter.
The Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy underscores the inseparable nature of liturgy and life, emphasising that liturgy should influence life to remain meaningful and pleasing to God. The Catechism of the Catholic Church further describes liturgy as an "action" of the whole Christ, uniting the faithful in heavenly communion and feast. The liturgical year, marked by holy seasons, weeks, and days, provides structure for communal liturgical celebration.
Liturgical participation by all the faithful is considered both a right and a duty, and various roles, such as altar servers, lectors, commentators, and choir members, contribute to the essence of the church. The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours highlights that liturgy expresses the hopes and prayers of the Christian faithful, interceding for the salvation of the world. Thus, the Catholic liturgical tradition goes beyond precise ritual regulation to focus on the active engagement and enrichment of those participating in the rite.
The Catholic liturgical tradition also includes the recitation of the Lord's Prayer, where some traditions, including Roman Catholic, use the word "`trespasses`" instead of "debts" or "sins." This variation stems from different English translations of the original Greek and Aramaic words used by Jesus, with "trespasses" reflecting the sense of overstepping boundaries or wandering from the right path.
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Bible translations
The Bible has been translated into many languages, including English, and there are several English translations. The choice between "debts" and "trespasses" in the Lord's Prayer is a result of these different translations. The original word in Greek, "opheilema", has been translated as both "debts" and "trespasses" in different versions of the Bible.
The first English translation of the Bible, the Tyndale Bible, published in 1526, used "trespasses". Later, the King James Bible, published in 1611, changed it to "debts". This version was used by Methodists, Episcopalians, and Anglicans. However, the Book of Common Prayer, which was influenced by William Tyndale's interpretation, kept "trespasses". Catholics also seem to have adopted the use of "trespasses" in their liturgical tradition, as seen in the Catechism and the RSV-CE2.
The choice between "debts" and "trespasses" is not just a matter of translation but also carries theological implications. "Trespass" is a synonym for "sin", referring to the unauthorized crossing of a boundary, which is what happens when we sin in God's eyes. Additionally, in the Middle Ages when the Tyndale version was published, "debts" and "trespasses" were the most common forms of civil suits, so "trespassing" covered a multitude of offenses.
Kenneth Bailey, in his book "Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes", points out that Jesus may have used the word khoba in Aramaic, which means both "debts" and "trespasses". He argues that the faithful need to remember that they are asking for forgiveness for failing to fulfill God's requirements (debts) and for their failure to do the right thing when they acted (trespasses).
In conclusion, the use of "trespasses" or "debts" in the Lord's Prayer is a result of different English translations and theological interpretations. Catholics tend to use "trespasses", following the tradition set by early English translations and emphasizing the unauthorized crossing of boundaries that sin represents.
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Synonyms for sin
The Lord's Prayer is a widely recited prayer in Christianity, with the line "forgive us our..." being said in a variety of ways, including "debts", "trespasses", and "sins". The version of "trespasses" or "sins" is more common among Catholics.
Now, here are some synonyms for the word "sin":
- Crime: A serious offence punishable by law.
- Offence: The infraction of any law, rule, or code.
- Scandal: An offence that outrages the public conscience.
- Vice: A habit or practice that degrades or corrupts.
While "crime", "offence", "scandal", and "vice" are all transgressions of law, "sin" implies an offence against moral or religious law. The words "crime" and "sin" are sometimes interchangeable, but "crime" implies a more serious offence. Similarly, "offence" and "sin" can be equivalent, but "offence" is more general and applies to any law, rule, or code. "Scandal" and "sin" are nearly identical, but "scandal" specifically refers to an offence against public morality. Lastly, "vice" and "sin" overlap in meaning, but "vice" refers to a habit or practice that degrades or corrupts, lacking the religious connotation of "sin".
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The Catechism
In the context of the Lord's Prayer, there is some variation in how different Christian traditions recite the fourth line. Some say "forgive us our debts", others say "trespasses", and still, others say "sins". The choice of word often depends on the specific Christian tradition and the associated translation of the Bible that is used.
Those from Anglican/Episcopal, Methodist, or Roman Catholic traditions are more likely to say "trespasses". This usage can be traced back to William Tyndale's Bible translation from 1526, which used the word "trespasses". The Book of Common Prayer, which is used by the Anglican Church, also uses the word "trespasses".
On the other hand, the King James Version of the Bible, which was published about a century after Tyndale's translation, uses the word "debts". This version is followed by Methodists, Episcopalians, and Anglicans.
The choice between "trespasses" and "debts" can be understood in the context of the original Greek words used in the New Testament. In Luke's version of the Lord's Prayer, Jesus uses the Greek word "hamartia" for "sins", which is paired with "opheilonti" meaning "indebted to us". This pairing indicates that Jesus intended to convey the sense of debt when referring to sin.
In summary, while there is variation in how different Christian traditions recite the Lord's Prayer, the use of "trespasses" by Catholics can be traced back to early English translations of the Bible and is considered a perfectly acceptable synonym for "sin".
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Frequently asked questions
The use of the word "trespasses" is influenced by the Anglican tradition on English-speaking Catholics. The word "debts" usually refers to a monetary loan, while "trespasses" is a synonym for "sins", which is what Jesus was referring to in the Lord's Prayer.
The word "trespass" was first used in this context in the Tyndale Bible, published in 1526. The use of "trespasses" became popular in 16th-century England and was included in the Book of Common Prayer.
"Trespassing", or the unauthorized crossing of a boundary, is what happens when we sin. Sin crosses the boundary between acceptable and unacceptable behaviour in the eyes of God.
While the words "sins", "debts", and "trespasses" are not precise synonyms, the Lord's Prayer is asking God to forgive our sins.
No, only English-speaking Catholics use the word "trespasses". Non-English-speaking Catholics use the word "debts", which is the translation from the original manuscript.
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