I can let you in on this for free: Verses about forgiveness in the Bible possess the wisdom to create (and power to sustain) a lifestyle of forgiveness.
It is a change agent for the person searching for the strength to forgive. It is also a valuable resource for the person providing empathic counsel to another who might need to forgive.
Regardless, God exemplifies Forgiveness and instructs us to do the same.
But what does the Bible teach about forgiveness specifically?
In this detailed piece of literature, we will explore a comprehensive list of Bible verses on forgiveness. As we do so with open hearts, I believe that there will be a great harvest of forgiveness and spiritual advancement.
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Forgiveness in the Bible.
Forgiveness according to the Bible is pardoning or letting go of an offense or debt owed by someone else. It stems from the Greek verb, ἀφίημι (aphiémi), which is a versatile term used to describe a conscious decision to release someone from the burden of guilt or obligation.
Rather than defaulting to spite in the face of personal offense, forgiveness demands a response of grace and selfless sacrifice, recognizing human frivolity and the bigger picture of what’s at stake.
In so doing, a person embodies the grace and mercy central to Christian doctrine and keeps out poisonous bitterness from the heart.
Forgiveness is one of the core themes of the Bible narrative. It is closely tied to the broken relationship between God and Man, and the procession of God’s salvific plan in Jesus. As such, there are numerous bible verses about forgiveness littered across both the Old and New Testament Bible.
God has a lot to say about forgiveness and he has called his people to follow in his step.
What does God say about Forgiveness?
Through Jesus’ death on the cross, God provided the ultimate solution to humanity’s sin problem.
He chose to forgive us and give us right-standing with him through the sacrifice of Jesus. He no longer inputs our trespasses unto us.
When we accept Christ, God no longer sees our sins but sees us through the perfect righteousness of Jesus – “as far as the east is from the west,” as Psalm 103:12 beautifully puts it.
His forgiveness is complete and transformative; Isaiah 43:25 tells us He chooses not to remember our sins anymore, making us stand completely justified before Him as His beloved children.
God’s forgiveness, He says is always available to the repentant heart. 1 John 1:9 assures us that when we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This incredible Gift of Forgiveness calls us to extend the same grace to others (Matthew 6:14-15).
Bible Verses About Forgiving Self
Here are some Bible verses to encourage you when you can’t forgive yourself;
2 Corinthians 5:4 (GNT – Good News Translation)
While we live in these earthly bodies, we groan and sigh, but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.
Mark 12:31
The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
1 Corinthians 15:53
For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.
Ephesians 5:29
After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [NIV]
This verse emphasizes the assurance of forgiveness and purification from sin when one confesses, highlighting God’s faithfulness and justice in the process of forgiveness.
Hebrews 10:22
“Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me…”
Philippians 3:13-14
“Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Bible Verses About Forgiving Others
Curated For You: Loving People More: A Biblical Guide to Improving Your Love Walk.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Here, Jesus draws a direct connection between God’s forgiveness of us and our forgiveness of others. This is one of the 5 lessons of the Lord’s Prayer. Discover the other 4 you probably didn’t know of when you read this article.
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Luke 17:3-4
“If your brother sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times comes back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
This verse on forgiveness teaches us what the right response to repentance is and it is no different from God’s example.
God forgave us when we turned to his light. In the same way, we ought to extend the same gesture to others. This is not to be misconstrued to mean opening our arms to those who consistently abuse us and later pretend to have changed. In such circumstances, creating safe boundaries or distancing yourself from such people is appropriate. Just ensure not to burn any bridge for forgiveness or love.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
This is one of the most popular verses in the Bible we covered in this article. Stylized as the “forgive 77 times bible verse”, this verse reminds us of the human propensity for wrongdoing and hints that we have a greater capacity for love than we realize or are putting on.
If you ever needed a metric to decide whether or not you are loving people enough, this could serve.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
2 Corinthians 2:7
“So that on the contrary, you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow”
Mark 11:25-26
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone”
Genesis 50:17
“Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin”
Bible Verses About Hurt and Forgiveness
Proverbs 19:11
“It’s wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others.”
Job 19:19
“My close friends detest me. Those I loved have turned against me.”
Job 19:13-14
“My relatives stay far away, and my friends have turned against me. My family is gone, and my close friends have forgotten me.”
Luke 23:34
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
Genesis 45:5
“Do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.”
Bible Verses About Forgiveness From God.
Understanding God’s forgiveness is a central theme in the bible, emphasizing His mercy, grace, and love for His people.
Through Christ’s sacrifice, we have full access to a Father who delights in showing mercy. It’s a message that says; “you’re never too far gone”, “never too stained”, and “never beyond the reach of my transformative grace”. No matter how far we stray, He is always willing to forgive those who repent and turn back to Him. God’s forgiveness is rooted in his love for you.
Curated For You: Agape: 17 Bible Verses About God’s Love That Would Melt Your Heart.
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for My own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
Hebrews 8:12
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Matthew 9:6
“But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”
Mark 2:7,10
“Who can forgive sins but God alone?” … “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”
1 Kings 8:50
“And forgive your people who have sinned against you”
1 Kings 8:50
“And forgive your people who have sinned against you”
Frequently Asked Question: Forgiveness in the Bible.
How many verses in the Bible talk about forgiveness?
According to Biblehub, there are about 231 results in both the Old and New Testament Bibles for the query “forgive”. By way of emphasis, this reveals how important the topic of Forgiveness is. It holds a central place in Christian doctrine and ethics.
Where can I find Bible verses about “to forgive and be forgiven”?
Two verses of scripture talking about “forgiving and being forgiven” are Matthew 6:9-13 and Matthew 6:14-15. Here what they say and a little commentary about them;
“…And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors…” – Matthew 6:9-13
This highlights, once more, the link between our forgiving of others and God’s forgiveness of us. It implies that the abundant forgiveness we receive from God ought to be reflected in the forgiveness we offer.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins – Matthew 6:14-15
Conclusion
Forgiveness and grace are vital expressions of love in the Bible, reflecting God’s character and His expectations for His followers.
While forgiveness is central to Jesus’ teaching and Christian doctrine, he does clarify certain limits and parameters around it. By following his guidance, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can become wholesome children of God showcasing God’s forgiveness to those around us.
In conclusion, God’s compassionate pardon of us serves as the foundation for forgiveness, a recurring and essential biblical motif. Christians are supposed to put mercy first, letting go of transgressions and resentments, even though justice is vital.
Spend some time studying and reflecting on these verses about forgiveness in the Bible. Let them empower you and provide you with the much-needed strength to Let go and Let God.
Rooting for you.
