Matthew's parable of the Unmerciful Slave divides into three distinct segments that follow three phases in the history of salvation. Scene 3 (Matt 18:31-34), the focus of this essay, draws upon and develops themes from the previous two segments. The purpose of this essay will be to provide an exegetical analysis of Scene 3 of Matthew's parable with the intent of finding within it the core of his theology of salvation as unconditional divine forgiveness conditionally received. While the idea of 'conditional forgiveness' may seem to run against the very meaning of the divine gift of salvation in Christ, Matthew's point is to underscore the conditionality of forgiveness as a condition occurring on the human side. I will unearth the theological background and allegorical features of the scene. I will then offer some commentary on the text. Finally, I will offer a theological explanation of Matthew's teaching on salvation as unconditional divine forgiveness conditionally received. MATTHEW 18:31-3431. His fellow slaves, 1 seeing what happened, were deeply distressed, and they went and informed their master about everything that happened. 32.Then his master, summoning him, says to him: 'Wicked slave, I cancelled your entire debt since you entreated me. 33. Should you not also have been merciful to your fellow slave as I was merciful to you?' 34. And in anger the master handed him over to the torturers until he should pay back everything that he owed. II. STRUCTURE John Meier designates Matt 13:53-19:1 as Book IV of Matthew's gospel and gives it the title 'The Son and His Church.' 2 Throughout Book IV, Matthew departs from Mark's gospel to give more attention both to his ecclesiology and in particular to the person of Peter. This special focus on Peter begins in Matt 14:28 and carries through to Matthew 18, the fourth great discourse in Matthew's gospel. Meier notes how one of the functions of Matt 14:22-33 is to show how 'the transcendent Jesus, the Son of God, whose divine majesty could not be more graphically portrayed, is the guardian and savior of his imperiled church, especially its weak
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