What the Bible Says About Forgiveness
The Bible speaks both about receiving God's forgiveness and forgiving people who wrong us. First John 1:9 connects confession with God's forgiveness; Ephesians 4:32 grounds our forgiveness of others in the grace shown in Christ. Forgiveness does not call wrongdoing good or make reconciliation automatic. These passages explore mercy, repentance, and the call to pursue peace while taking harm seriously.
Selected Bible Verses
“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 Read 1 John chapter 1 →
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
Matthew 6:14 KJV Read Matthew chapter 6 →
“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 Read Ephesians chapter 4 →
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Psalms 103:12 KJV Read Psalms chapter 103 →
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”
Isaiah 43:25 KJV Read Isaiah chapter 43 →
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;”
Acts 3:19 KJV Read Acts chapter 3 →
“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.”
Micah 7:19 KJV Read Micah chapter 7 →
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
Matthew 18:21 KJV Read Matthew chapter 18 →
“Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.”
Matthew 18:22 KJV Read Matthew chapter 18 →
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:”
Colossians 1:14 KJV Read Colossians chapter 1 →
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1 KJV Read Romans chapter 8 →
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
Psalms 86:5 KJV Read Psalms chapter 86 →
“If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”
Romans 12:18 KJV Read Romans chapter 12 →
Read These Passages in Full Context
Frequently Asked Questions About Forgiveness in the Bible
- What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
- Scripture describes God's forgiveness of those who confess (1 John 1:9) and calls believers to forgive one another as Christ forgave them (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). Read each passage in its chapter to see its context.
- Does forgiving someone mean excusing harm or restoring trust?
- Forgiveness does not make wrongdoing harmless or require pretending it did not happen. Romans 12:18 calls us to live at peace with others as far as it depends on us. Reconciliation and restored trust involve other people and may require truth, changed behavior, and safety.
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Available translations: King James Version (KJV), World English Bible (WEB), Geneva Bible 1599, Darby Translation, Young's Literal Translation (YLT), American Standard Version (ASV), and the Living Sword Translation.