Matthew 18:27
Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.
Matthew 18:27
In the response to the prayerful debtor, the master is moved with compassion and acts decisively: he releases him from the entire debt. The word for “loosed” implies a cancellation rather than a partial payment. This moment emphasizes the contagious nature of mercy; mercy, once shown, becomes a standard by which others are judged. The master’s action does not ignore justice but embodies a higher justice grounded in grace. The surrounding context in Matthew centers on the community’s life: forgiveness must permeate interpersonal relationships within the church. This verse thus highlights God’s initiative in forgiveness, inviting humans to mirror that mercy in their dealings with one another.
God’s forgiving grace is the gospel’s hinge. The master’s compassion demonstrates the undeserved nature of forgiveness; no amount of human effort can repay God’s indiscriminate mercy. This sets the standard for Christian ethics: mercy freely given should translate into merciful behavior among the forgiven. The act foreshadows Jesus’ own work on the cross, where debt is canceled through sacrifice. It also raises questions about the integrity of forgiveness: if mercy is truly received, should it not produce a transformed life that forgives others?
We should celebrate and imitate generous forgiveness. If you’ve received mercy, let it reshape how you interact with others who owe you—grace should be your default, not calculation. In practice: refuse to keep a tally; time-bound payments or setting boundaries are wise, but withholding forgiveness harms you and others. Use this as a guide for workplace conflicts, family tensions, or neighbor disputes: begin by choosing mercy, then seek practical steps to restore trust. The church is called to be a community where mercy is contagious, not a weapon in disputes. Consider a concrete act: forgive a recurring grievance weekly, or sponsor someone’s debt-repayment plan as a way to demonstrate grace.
Cross-References: Matthew 6:12; Luke 15:11-32; Colossians 3:13; Hebrews 8:12; James 2:13