Problem: "Lead us not into temptation"
Verses: Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:4; Status: Weak

This line of the Lord's Prayer, from Matthew 6:13, is sometimes commented on:

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. (ESV)

There's a similar verse at Luke 11:4. The alleged problem is this: it seems like Jesus is implying that God might lead us into temptation, and we should pray that he doesn't. But surely "lead us not into temptation" is a natural way of saying "lead us away from temptation". I don't think this is a real problem.

If this solution doesn't find favour, it's also possible to appeal to different translations of the text. The NRSV prefers the following:

And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. (NRSV)

errancy.org - index

See also