Forgiveness
Forgiveness in Scripture is both God's pardon of us at the cross and the continuing pardon we extend to others as a consequence of it. The Lord's Prayer binds these together, and the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18) warns what happens when we separate them. Forgiveness names the wrong, does not minimise the cost, and releases the debt.
Key verses (11)
- Psalms 103:12Far as east from west — transgressions removed
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
- Isaiah 1:18Though your sins be as scarlet
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be ...”
- Micah 7:19Sins cast into the depths of the sea
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt ca...”
- Matthew 6:14If ye forgive men their trespasses
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
- Matthew 6:15If ye forgive not — Father will not forgive
“But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
- Matthew 18:21Seventy times seven
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? ...”
- Matthew 18:22Jesus's answer on number of times
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
- Luke 23:34Father, forgive them — from the cross
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, ...”
- Ephesians 4:32Forgiving one another, as God for Christ's sake
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake h...”
- Colossians 3:13Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Ch...”
- 1 John 1:9If we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all u...”
Relevant characters (4)
Joseph
Forgave his brothers: "ye thought evil against me" (Genesis 50:20)
Stephen
"Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts 7:60)
David
Psalm 51 after Bathsheba
Jesus Christ
"Father, forgive them" (Luke 23:34)
Further reading
- R. T. Kendall — Total Forgiveness, Charisma House (2002)
- Timothy Keller — Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?, Viking (2022)
- Corrie ten Boom — The Hiding Place, Chosen Books (1971)
Pastoral commentary
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