“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. The final petition addresses the future: not into temptation, delivered from evil. The lead us not into temptation does not suggest that God is tempting but that he can withdraw his guidance and leave us to navigate alone — the prayer asks for continued divine direction that keeps us from entering situations where our capacity for faithfulness is overwhelmed. The from evil (or the evil one) is the comprehensive deliverance from the spiritual opposition that the disciples will face. 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises that God will provide a way out of temptation — the Lord's Prayer asks for the presence of mind and divine help that makes use of that way out.
Church Fathers on Matthew 6:13
As He had above put many high things into men’s mouths, teaching them to call God their Father, to pray that His kingdom might come; so now He adds a lesson of humility, when He says, 'and lead us not into temptation.'
Some copies read, 'Carry us not,' [margin note: inferas] an equivalent word, both being a translation of one Greek word, εισενενχεις . Many in interpreting say, 'Suffer us not to be led into temptation,' as being what is implied in the word, 'lead.' For God does not of Himself lead a man, but suffer him to be led from whom He has withdrawn His aid.
Herein it is shewn that the adversary can nothing avail against us, unless God first permit him; so that all our fear and devotion ought to be addressed to God.
Read all 16 entries in the readerCatena Aurea · St. Thomas Aquinas, tr. J. H. Newman · public domain
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