What the Bible says on Forgiveness – The Bible is full of wisdom on a wide variety of topics. Forgiveness is one such topic. Many people find it difficult to forgive others, but the Bible offers clear guidance on how to do so. In this blog post, we will explore what the Bible says about forgiveness and discuss how to apply its teachings in our own lives.
Table of Contents
What the Bible says on Forgiveness
The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness. In fact, forgiveness is a major theme throughout Scripture. From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible repeatedly teaches us that forgiveness is essential to our relationship with God and with others. Here are four things the Bible says about forgiveness.
What is the Biblical Meaning of Forgiveness – Terminology
Christians are called to forgive one another. But what does that actually mean? To understand forgiveness from a biblical standpoint, we need to understand some key terms. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at four different words for forgiveness in both the Old and New Testaments.
Old Testament
Kipper – Hebrew
The word “kipper” is used in the Old Testament to refer to the act of atoning for sins. This word is derived from a root meaning “to cover.” When someone sinned, they would offer a sacrifice to cover their sin and make atonement.
Salakb – Hebrew
The word “salakb” is also used in the Old Testament to refer to atonement for sins. This word is derived from a root meaning “to be clear.” When someone sinned, they would offer a sacrifice to cleanse themselves and make atonement.
Nasa – Hebrew
The word “nasa” is used in the Old Testament to refer to the act of pardoning or forgiving sins. This word is derived from a root meaning “to lift up.” When someone sinned, they would ask God to lift up their sin so that they could be forgiven.
New Testament
Aphesis – Gk
The word “aphesis” is used in the New Testament to refer to the act of releasing or setting free from sin. This word is derived from a root meaning “to let go.” When someone repents of their sin, God sets them free from the bondage of that sin.
Paresis – Gk
The word “paresis” is used in the New Testament to refer to the act of remitting or canceling sins. This word is derived from a root meaning “to let go.” When someone repents of their sin, God cancels their debt and sets them free.
Charizomai
The word “charizomai” is used in the New Testament to refer to the act of forgiving or showing favor toward sinners. This word is derived from a root meaning “to show grace.” When someone repents of their sin, God shows them grace and mercy by forgiving them.
Forgiveness is an important concept in Christianity, but it can be difficult to understand what exactly it means from a biblical standpoint. In this blog post, we looked at four different words for forgiveness in both the Old and New Testaments: kipper (Hebrew), salakb (Hebrew), nasa (Hebrew), aphesis (Greek), paresis (Greek), and charizomai (Greek). Each of these words has a different shade of meaning, but they all point us back to the same truth: when we repent of our sins, God forgives us and sets us free.
How Many times is Forgiveness Mentioned in the Bible
According to Youngs Analytical Concordance
- Forgiveness is Mentioned 8 Times
- Forgive Is Mentioned 86 times
- Forgiving is Mentioned 4 Times
1. Forgiveness is a choice.
In Colossians 3:13, we read, “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Forgiveness is not a feeling; it’s a choice. We have to choose to forgive even when we don’t feel like it. Even when the person who hurt us doesn’t deserve it, we are called to extend forgiveness.
2. Forgiveness is an act of obedience.
In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “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.” When we refuse to forgive those who have wronged us, we are disobedient to what God has called us to do. Jesus died for the Sins of the whole world.
3. Forgiveness brings healing.
In Mark 11:25-26, Jesus tells us, “And whenever you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Unforgiveness can lead to all sorts of problems in our lives—bitterness, anger, resentment, etc. But when we choose to forgive those who have hurt us, it brings healing to our lives. We can Forgive so many in the name of Jesus Christ to the glory of God
4. Forgiveness is possible because of what Christ did for us.
Ultimately, our ability to forgiven comes from what Christ has done for us on the cross. In Ephesians 4:32, we read, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Because of what Christ did for us—taking our punishment upon Himself—we can now extend forgiveness to others, even when they don’t deserve it. It is also Described as:
- Gift of the Holy Spirit
- Great Love
- Good News
- Great Power
- Riches of God
- Riches of his grace
- True Forgiveness
- Forgiveness of Sins
How should we understand God’s Forgiveness?
One of the most difficult concepts in Christianity is that of God’s forgiveness. We are taught that God is a loving God who forgives us our sins, but at the same time, we are also taught that there is a hell where sinners will be punished. So how should we understand God’s forgiveness?
One way to look at it is to see forgiveness as a process.
- When we sin, we ask for forgiveness and are forgiven by God. However, our forgiving doesn’t end there.
- We also need to forgive others who have sinned against us. In this way, we can see that forgiveness is an ongoing process that cleanses us from both our own sins and the sins of others.
- As we learn to forgive, we become more Christ-like and are able to experience more of God’s love and forgiveness in our lives.
What is Human Forgiveness
Human forgiveness is one of the most powerful things in the world. It has the ability to heal hearts, mend relationships, and bring hope to those who have lost their way.
When we forgive others, we are choosing to let go of anger and resentment, and instead show mercy and compassion. This does not mean that we forget what has happened or that we condone the hurtful actions of others.
Forgiveness is a choice to move forward into healing and wholeness. It is a sign of strength, not weakness. Choosing to forgive can be difficult, but it is always worth it in the end. When we forgive, we are setting ourselves free from the pain of the past and opening up to a brighter future.
It is an essential part of our relationships with others, and it is a key component of our emotional well-being.
- When we forgive someone who has hurt us, we are able to let go of anger and resentment, and we can move on with our lives.
- Forgiveness can also lead to healing and reconciliation. When we forgive those who have harmed us, we are showing them mercy and compassion.
- We are giving them a second chance, and we are demonstrating that we are willing to let go of the past and move forward. In short, forgiveness is a very powerful act that can have profound effects on our lives.
What does the Bible say about Forgiving Others?
The bible is very clear on the importance of forgiveness, both in receiving forgiveness from God and in extending forgiveness to others. In Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus says, “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. The Prayer of a righteous person can show steadfast love and bring times of refreshing.
But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” This is a strong commandment from Jesus Himself, and it applies to all Christians. We are called to extend forgiveness to others, even when they do not deserve it, just as we have been forgiven by God. This is not always easy, but it is essential to living a Christ-centered life.
Additionally, forgiveness can be a powerful tool for healing old wounds and building new relationships. When we choose to forgive those who have hurt us, we are choosing to let go of anger and resentment. This can lead to a more peaceful and joyful life. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is always worth it.
The Power of Forgiveness in the Bible?
While many people view forgiveness as a sign of weakness, the Bible teaches us that it is actually a powerful act. When we forgive others, we are releasing them from the debt they owe us and freeing ourselves from the anger and resentment that can poison our hearts.
Forgiveness is not easy, but it is always worth it. The peace and joy that come from forgiveness are priceless gifts from God.
The Bible is full of stories about forgiveness. In the book of Genesis, Joseph forgives his brothers even after they sell him into slavery. In the book of Matthew, Jesus forgives the woman caught in adultery even though she deserves to be stoned.
These stories show us that forgiveness is possible even in the most difficult circumstances. No matter how much someone has hurt us, we can always choose to forgive them.
Forgiveness is not a sign of weakness; it is a sign of strength. It takes courage to let go of our anger and resentment and forgive those who have wronged us. But when we do, we are freed from the negative emotions that can destroy our lives. We are also following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ, who showed us through His example that forgiveness is always possible. One of teh most important things is showing God’s Love in the forgiveness of others.
7 Bible Verses about Forgiving others who Hurt You?
As Christians, we are called to forgive those who have hurt us. This is not always easy, but it is essential to living a Christ-like life. Below are seven Bible verses about forgiveness that can help us on our journey of forgiveness.
- “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
- “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” – Matthew 18:15-17
- “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
- “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
- “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.” – Ephesians 4:31-32
- “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath .” – Romans 12:19a
- “But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment . . . Therefore settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court.” – Matthew 5:22a-25a
7 Bible Verses about Forgiveness of Sins?
As a Christian, forgiveness is one of the central tenets of my faith. The teachings of Jesus Christ call on us to forgive those who have wronged us, and in doing so, we will be forgiven for our own sins. Forgiveness is not always easy, but it is essential to living a life that is pleasing to God. These seven Bible verses about forgiveness remind us of the importance of this virtue:
- “But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:15
- “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
- “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” – Matthew 5:9
- But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” – Luke 6:27-28
- “Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you up to seven times, but up to seventy-seven times.'” – Matthew 18:21-22
- “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25
- “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:36
7 Examples of Forgiveness in the Bible?
The Bible is full of stories of God’s people forgiving those who have wronged them. Here are seven examples of forgiveness from the Bible:
1. Joseph forgave his brothers for selling him into slavery.
2. David forgave Saul for trying to kill him.
3. Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery.
4. Jesus forgave Judas for betraying him.
5. Paul forgave the man who persecuted him.
6. Stephen forgave those who were stoning him to death.
7. Jesus forgave his executioners as he was dying on the cross.
Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible, and these stories show that it is always possible to find forgiveness, no matter how great the wrong that has been done.
Final Thoughts – What does the Bible say about Forgiveness
The Bible has a lot to say about forgiveness because it’s an important part of our relationship with God and with others. We can follow the example of Christ Jesus and forgive our fellow servant in our journey to eternal life.When we choose to forgive those who have hurt us—even when they don’t deserve it—we are obeying God and bringing healing into our own lives. It’s only because of what Christ did for us on the cross that we are able to extend forgiveness at all; He took our punishment so that we could be free from unforgiveness forevermore!
God Bless Greg
