Luke 11:1–4

Verse 2. Father, hallowed be thy name, and so forth See Matthew 6. In the ordinary Greek copies here are all the seven petitions, as in Saint Matthew: and so they are in the Prot. Testament. Yet Saint Augustine in his Enchiridion, (c. i. tom. 6, p. 240,) says there were read seven petitions in S. Matt. and only five in Saint Luke. We may also take notice, that though in the Greek copies here in Saint Luke are all seven petitions of the Lord’s prayer, yet the doxology, for thine is the kingdom, and so forth is omitted in all Greek copies, and by the Protestants; which is a new argument and proof, that the said doxology is an addition from the Greek liturgy. Witham.

Verse 3. In the Greek it is called επιουσιον; that is supersubstantial. This is not the bread that goeth into the body, but the bread of eternal life, that supports the life of the soul. It is here called daily bread. Receive then daily, what will daily profit you; and continue so to live, that you may be daily in proper dispositions for receiving it. All who are under sin, have received a wound, and must seek for a cure. The cure is this heavenly and most venerable sacrament. Saint Augustine, Serm. ii. de verbo Dei.

Verse 4. Christ does not teach us to pray for afflictions of the body, but always enjoins us to pray, that we may not enter into temptation. When, therefore, temptation attacks us, we must beg of God grace to withstand it, that the promise in Saint Matthew (chap. 10) may be fulfilled in us, he who perseveres to the end shall be saved. S. Bede in Reg. Brev. 221.