Influence of Forgiveness
Marcus Dods. Matthew 18:23-35 Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened to a certain king, which would take account of his servants.… The fate of the unmerciful servant tells us in the plainest language that the mere cancelling of our guilt does not save us. It tells us that unless the forgiveness of God humbles us, and begets within us a truly meek and loving spirit, we cannot be owned as His children. The best assurance that we are ourselves forgiven is the consciousness that the very spirit of the forgiving God is working in our own hearts towards others. (Marcus Dods.) Parallel Verses KJV: Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants. WEB: Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants.