“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.”
Matthew 6:12 — Greek Interlinear
Church Fathers on Matthew 6:12
After supply of food, next pardon of sin is asked for, that he who is fed of God may live in God, and not only the present and passing life be provided for, but the eternal also; whereunto we may come, if we receive the pardon of our sins, to which the Lord gives the name of debts, as he speaks further on, 'I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me.' [Matt 18:32]
With this weapon the Pelagian heretics received their deathblow, who dare to say that a righteous man is free altogether from sin in this life, and that of such is at this present time composed a Church, 'having neither spot nor wrinkle.'
That this prayer is meant for the faithful, both the laws of the Church teach, and the beginning of the prayer which instructs us to call God Father. In thus bidding the faithful pray for forgiveness of sin, He shews that even after baptism sin can be remitted (against the Novatians.)