📖 Biblical Definition
The sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." The Greek peirasmos can mean either testing or temptation depending on context. Properly read: "do not bring us into trial that we cannot bear," or "do not let us be led into temptation that overwhelms us." James 1:13 confirms God Himself does not tempt with sin; the petition asks to be kept from situations that would expose us beyond our strength.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Sixth petition: protection from overwhelming trial / temptation.
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The sixth petition of the Lord's Prayer (Matt 6:13). Greek mē eisenenkēs hēmas eis peirasmon. Peirasmos means testing or temptation depending on context (cf. Heb 11:17 — Abraham was "tested"; Jas 1:14 — every man is "tempted" of his own lust). Properly read with James 1:13's clarification ("God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man"): the petition does not ask God to refrain from tempting (He never does); it asks for protection from overwhelming trial / temptation. Pope Francis's recent translation-revision ("do not let us fall into temptation") tries to clarify, though the traditional rendering is grammatically defensible too.
📖 Key Scripture
Matthew 6:13 — "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."
1 Corinthians 10:13 — "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."
James 1:13 — "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Read shallowly as if God might tempt with sin; James 1:13 settles that He does not. The petition asks for protection from overwhelming trial.
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Modern readers sometimes hear the petition as "don't tempt me, God" — and stumble at the thought. James 1:13 settles it: God doesn't tempt anyone with sin. The petition rather asks: don't lead us into trial we cannot bear. Pair with 1 Cor 10:13's promise that God provides a way of escape with every temptation.
Recover the asking: pray daily for protection. The petition acknowledges weakness; the Father responds with sufficient grace.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Greek mē eisenenkēs hēmas eis peirasmon.
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['Greek', 'G3985', 'peirazō', 'to test, tempt']
['Greek', 'G3986', 'peirasmos', 'testing, temptation']
Usage
"Don't lead us into overwhelming trial."
"James 1:13: God doesn't tempt with sin."
"Daily petition acknowledges weakness."