Daily Christian Journey

Bible Verses About Forgiveness

By Emily Davis

Forgiveness is one of the most freeing ideas in the Bible and one of the hardest to practice. It runs in two directions: the forgiveness God offers us, and the forgiveness we are asked to extend to others. Many people find the first easier to accept in theory than the second to live out, especially when the hurt was deep or the other person has never said sorry.

It helps to be clear about what forgiveness is. It is not pretending that something did not matter, and it is not the same as trusting someone again or staying in an unsafe situation. It is releasing the debt: choosing not to hold the offense over someone, and handing the question of justice to God. Often it is a decision you make many times before your feelings catch up.

The verses below begin with the heart of the matter, that God has forgiven us and invites us to do the same. They also offer comfort to anyone weighed down by guilt, with images of sins removed as far as the east is from the west and made white as snow. If you carry something heavy from your past, read those verses slowly. They are addressed to you.

If your hurt involves abuse or ongoing harm, please seek safety and support from people you trust, including a counselor or pastor, before thinking about reconciliation. Forgiveness and protection can go together. Quotations are from the King James Version, and the articles at the bottom of the page explore practical ways to let go of resentment and begin again.

A short prayer

Merciful God, thank you for forgiving me. Help me to receive that forgiveness fully. Where I am holding on to hurt, loosen my grip. Give me the strength to forgive as I have been forgiven, and the wisdom to know what healing needs next. Amen.

Bible verses for this topic

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

Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

Colossians 3:13 (KJV)

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 (KJV)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14-15 (KJV)

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

Psalm 103:12 (KJV)

The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.

Psalm 103:8 (KJV)

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:

Luke 6:37 (KJV)

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 (KJV)

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21-22 (KJV)

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.

Luke 23:34 (KJV)

And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.

Mark 11:25 (KJV)

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), which is in the public domain.

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