DR from Nebraska wrote:
Is the difference in the choice of words in the Lord's Prayer due to human differences? Some say trespasses, some say debts, some say transgressions. I can see that they all have similar meaning, but which is scripturally correct?

Bill replies:
DR, thanks for the question. The Lord's Prayer is found in both Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Let's look at Matthew first, in 4 different translations. The KJV, Amplified, NASB and NIV all use the word debts and debtors.
The Greek word that is here translated debtor is "opheiletes" which means, an ower, a person indebted, delinquet debt, transgressor (against God) and sinner.
The Lord's Prayer is found in Matthew 9-13, but it is very important to look on to verse 14&15 which says, "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
The Amplified expands on the trespasses word by adding, reckless, willful sins.
The NIV simply uses sins in both places.
In Luke 11, the KJV and NASB both say essentially, "Forgive our sins as we forgive, (or for we also forgive) everyone that is indebted to us."
The NIV says, "Forgive our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us." and the Amplified expands on the word sins by adding, (who have offended us or done us wrong.)
So, after all this rambling, the Greek word "opheiletes" which is in the original manuscripts can mean debtors, transgressors, trespasses, or sins. any one of these would be scripturally correct.
As an interesting side note, Matthew records the whole Lord's Prayer, whereas, Luke, the physician and usually the one who recorded the most detail ends the Prayer with, "and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." KJV
Again, thanks for the question, I love to be challenged to dig out the truths of the scripture.
"And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
Bill