What does the Bible say about forgiveness?

God forgives all who confess (1 John 1:9), removing our sins 'as far as the east is from the west' (Psalm 103:12), and He calls us to forgive others 'even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you' (Ephesians 4:32).

What did Jesus say about forgiveness?

Jesus said, 'if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you' (Matthew 6:14), and from the cross He prayed, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34).

How many times should I forgive someone?

When Peter asked if seven times was enough, Jesus answered, 'I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:21-22), a call to forgive without keeping count.

Does God forgive all sins?

God forgives every sin brought to Him in genuine repentance through Christ. Isaiah 1:18 promises that though your sins be 'as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.'

How do I forgive someone who hurt me?

Bring the hurt honestly to God, ask for His help, and choose to release the debt as He released yours (Colossians 3:13). Mark 11:25 ties it to prayer: 'forgive, if ye have ought against any.'

What if I don't feel like forgiving?

Forgiveness is first a decision of obedience, not a feeling; the feelings often follow later. Ephesians 4:32 makes it an act of the will, kindness and release, and God gives grace to do what we cannot do on our own.

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Bible verses

Bible Verses About Forgiveness

Forgiveness sits at the center of the Christian faith: the forgiveness we receive from God, and the forgiveness we extend to others. 1 John 1:9, Ephesians 4:32 and Psalm 103:12 are among the clearest verses about forgiveness. Because we have been forgiven so freely, we are freed to forgive.

Bible verses about forgiveness

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

1 John 1:9 · King James Version (public domain)

“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”

Ephesians 4:32 · King James Version (public domain)

“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another... even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

Colossians 3:13 · King James Version (public domain)

“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

Psalm 103:12 · King James Version (public domain)

“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”

Matthew 6:14 · King James Version (public domain)

Jesus links the forgiveness we receive to the forgiveness we extend, for a forgiven heart forgives.

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.”

Isaiah 1:18 · King James Version (public domain)

No stain is presented as too deep for God; the deepest scarlet He is able to make white as snow.

How these verses point to Christ

Forgiveness costs something, and the Bible is honest that the cost was borne by Christ. Ephesians 4:32 says we forgive as God, for Christ's sake, forgave us, and forgiveness comes through His blood shed for the remission of sins. Because Jesus took the debt to the cross, God can be both just and the one who justifies. We forgive others because we have been forgiven so much.

Read these verses in full

Each of these has its own page with the whole verse, what it means, and how it points to Christ.

You do not have to carry this alone

On The Living Bread you can read these passages in full, ask Simon what they mean, hear how Christ has met others in the same place, and pray them with a community that will pray for you by name. You are welcome exactly as you are.

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Questions people ask about forgiveness

What does the Bible say about forgiveness?: God forgives all who confess (1 John 1:9), removing our sins 'as far as the east is from the west' (Psalm 103:12), and He calls us to forgive others 'even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you' (Ephesians 4:32).
What did Jesus say about forgiveness?: Jesus said, 'if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you' (Matthew 6:14), and from the cross He prayed, 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34).
How many times should I forgive someone?: When Peter asked if seven times was enough, Jesus answered, 'I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:21-22), a call to forgive without keeping count.
Does God forgive all sins?: God forgives every sin brought to Him in genuine repentance through Christ. Isaiah 1:18 promises that though your sins be 'as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.'
How do I forgive someone who hurt me?: Bring the hurt honestly to God, ask for His help, and choose to release the debt as He released yours (Colossians 3:13). Mark 11:25 ties it to prayer: 'forgive, if ye have ought against any.'
What if I don't feel like forgiving?: Forgiveness is first a decision of obedience, not a feeling; the feelings often follow later. Ephesians 4:32 makes it an act of the will, kindness and release, and God gives grace to do what we cannot do on our own.

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