Bible Verses About Forgiveness

At the heart of the Bible is the teaching on forgiveness, unveiling God’s mercy and His intentions for reconciliation to apply to our broken relationships-first between us and Himself, then others. The following Bible verses about forgiveness lend profound insight into the power of forgiving; how to lead in extending mercy, mending broken relationships, and finding release from anger and bitter hurts. Whether you are seeking to understand God’s forgiveness or are attempting to forgive someone who has wronged you, these verses can be a great reminder of the love God shows and the Christian life of forgiveness. Here is a complete list of Bible verses about forgiveness, categorized for clarity:

God’s Forgiveness Toward Us

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.”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Micah 7:18-19
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
Isaiah 55:7
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”

These Bible verses about forgiveness emphasize God’s incredible mercy and grace, offering complete forgiveness and cleansing for those who confess their sins, while also calling us to extend the same compassion and forgiveness to others.

Forgiveness Through Jesus

Matthew 26:28
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.”
Colossians 1:13-14
“For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
Matthew 9:2
“Some men brought to him a paralyzed man, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the man, ‘Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.'”

These Bible verses about forgiveness highlight how Jesus’ sacrifice and grace provide the ultimate forgiveness for our sins, demonstrating His love and offering redemption through faith in Him.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

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.'”
Luke 17:3-4
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister 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 come back to you saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
2 Corinthians 2:7-8
“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.”

These Bible verses about forgiveness emphasize the importance of continually forgiving others, as Jesus teaches us to forgive without limits, encouraging reconciliation and comfort in restoring relationships.

The Importance of Forgiving Others

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.”
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

These Bible verses about forgiveness highlight the crucial importance of forgiving others, teaching that when we forgive, we align ourselves with God’s mercy, ensuring our own forgiveness and fostering kindness and compassion in our relationships.

Forgiveness and Healing

James 5:15-16
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.”
Matthew 9:6
“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the paralytic, ‘Get up, take your mat and go home.'”

These Bible verses about forgiveness emphasize that through confession, prayer, and forgiveness, healing is not only spiritual but can also bring physical restoration, demonstrating the powerful connection between forgiveness and healing.

The Cost and Blessing of Forgiveness

Romans 4:7-8
“Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”
Luke 7:47
“Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
Matthew 18:27
“The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.”

These Bible verses about forgiveness highlight both the cost and the blessing of forgiveness, showing that forgiveness brings immense grace and love, while also teaching that those who have been forgiven much should extend that same grace to others.

Forgiveness and Letting Go of the Past

Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: 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.”
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

These Bible verses about forgiveness emphasize the importance of letting go of the past, highlighting how God erases our sins and calls us to move forward in faith, focusing on the future and the goal of eternal life.

These Bible verses about forgiveness insinuate the great significance of both given and extended forgiveness. They portray a great expression of God’s grace, whereby He forgives our sins and a corresponding need in believers to forgive others to the glory of God’s love and mercy.

Take a moment today to dive into the Bible verse of the day and the daily devotion. Let God’s Word guide, encourage, and strengthen you as you navigate your day.