The Our Father Prayer

[Foreigner]

“As we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation.”

We pray to Our Father, Our Lord God in this prayer. Then why does it ask God to ‘lead us not into temptation’. Isn’t this statement quite preposterous? We should not be asking God to not lead us into temptation. God DOES NOT lead anyone into temptation.

I’ll add that I’ve heard somewhere that Pope John Paul II tried to change this in the prayer but his proposed amendment did not prevail. Please tell me whether this is true or not. But I don’t see why this comment still remains in one of our most vital prayers…

It’s a horrible and confusing translation. The Greek text means that we are asking God to let us not be led into temptation - in other words - give us the strength so that we do not sin.

“But deliver us from evil.”

 

[John_Hiner]

It’s a horrible and confusing translation. The Greek text means that we are asking God to let us not be led into temptation - in other words - give us the strength so that we do not sin.

“But deliver us from evil.”

Laudatur Iesus Christus.

Dear Foreigner:

Welcome to the forums.

What makes you say this about the Greek? “εἰσενέγκῃς” looks like aorist, subjunctive, active, second person singular of “to carry into.” It is addressed to the Father. So, what is wrong with the translation? Do you have some other reading for this verb, or some evidence of an idiomatic use that would be different from the facial meaning?

St. Jerome translated it as “inducas,” which is present, subjunctive, active, second person singular of “to lead.” This seems fair.

What alternative is there?

Pax Christi tecum.

John Hiner