“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
King James Version (KJV)
7:11 To them that ask him - But on this condition, that ye follow the example of his goodness, by doing to all as ye would they should do to you. For this is the law and the prophets - This is the sum of all, exactly answering #Mt 5:17|. The whole is comprised in one word, Imitate the God of love. Thus far proceeds the doctrinal part of the sermon. In the next verse begins the exhortation to practise it.
Mt 7:11 If ye then, being evil. Men who have the natural affection of parents, even though sinful men, will not do such things. Whoever believes that the term "Father", as applied to God, is more than a figure of speech, must believe in prayer. Give good gifts. Lu 11:13, in the parallel passage, says, instead of "good gifts", "the Holy Spirit", as though this is heaven's greatest blessing.