The Paradox of the New Testament Concept of Unmerited Divine Grace and Conditional Forgiveness in Matthew's Gospel

Abstract

Since the Reformation, the doctrine of unmerited divine grace (sola gratia) has remained a cornerstone of Protestant soteriology. However, the tension between divine grace and conditional forgiveness presents a distinct theological paradox within the Gospel of Matthew, where teachings on merit and human responsibility coexist alongside unmerited grace. This study investigates whether an antithesis between grace and works exists in Matthew, examines whether this paradox is uniquely Matthean within the broader biblical canon, and explores how interpreter communities can navigate this dialectic. By contextualizing Matthew within Second Temple Judaism and analyzing key passages—such as the Sermon on the Mount and the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant—this paper demonstrates that the tension between divine grace and human responsibility is a fundamental, recurring biblical pattern rather than an isolated anomaly. Ultimately, the study suggests that rather than attempting to force a rigid systematic resolution, faith communities are called to hold divine grace and ethical responsibility in dynamic tension.