On the Doxology of the Lord’s Prayer

As I mentioned on Sunday, there’s an open question on about the doxology of the Lord’s Prayer: “For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, amen.” The vast majority of modern translations have in some way removed the phrase from the main text of the Bible, either by bracketing it or moving it to the footnotes. Older translations, like the King James Version, leave it in the text. Briefly, I want to explain why, and where I land on the question.

Those who argue that the doxology is not original generally point to the fact that it is not included in the earliest New Testament manuscripts available. Most scholars believe that the phrase, while not in the text of Matthew, was first added in the public worship of the early church. In fact, in other early church documents outside of the Bible, we can find several different versions of the doxology. They believe that early Bible copyists, who certainly knew the Lord’s Prayer by heart, erroneously added that liturgical ending. It was not a malicious attempt to change the Bible, but merely an honest mistake. It’s also worth noting that Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer does not include the doxology.

I personally take the other position, that the phrase does belong in the Bible. I am not convinced that the earliest New Testament manuscripts are always the best manuscripts, and I would see the examples of alternative endings as evidence that Matthew’s gospel originally contained it. It is also the case that the church, in all ages, has included some form of the doxology in the Lord’s Prayer as it was recited in worship. Furthermore, our own Westminster Catechisms assume that the doxology belongs in the Bible (see Shorter Catechism 107 and Larger Catechism 196).

At the end of the day, it seems to me that including the doxology is the safer position. The doctrine it contains is true. In fact, it is quite clearly a reference to a text no one disputes, 1 Chronicles 29:11:

“Thine, O LORD, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty: for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine; thine is the kingdom, O LORD, and thou art exalted as head above all.”

I am happy to affirm that the doxology belongs on these bases, but I would also suggest, given that the words are true, there is no issue with praying the words even if you disagree. As with most textual issues, this is not something that should shake your faith.

Updates

The Lord’s Supper will be served next week. Please prepare yourselves.
Wednesday night studies continue. Feel free to join us at any time.

Your friend in Christ,
Reid