Bible Verses About Forgiveness

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

Confess and receive — the simplest and hardest transaction in the Christian life.

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

As far as the east is from the west — the distance of forgiveness.

"And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."

As the Lord forgave you — the standard and the reason, in one sentence.

"bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do."

Bearing with each other and forgiving — both required, in that order.

"Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?”"

Seventy times seven — forgiveness beyond what seems reasonable.

"Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots."

Father, forgive them — the model that asks the most of us.

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who don’t walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit."

No condemnation — the place forgiveness ultimately leads.

"Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He doesn’t retain his anger forever, because he delights in loving kindness."

He delights in mercy — not reluctantly, but genuinely.

"I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins."

God's forgetting — what it means that he remembers no more.

"“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."

The connection Jesus made — forgiving and being forgiven.

"As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is today, to save many people alive."

Joseph's response to his brothers — one of the greatest acts of forgiveness in scripture.

"“He arose, and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him."

The father who ran — before any explanation was given.

"For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more.”"

Sins remembered no more — forgiveness that removes the record.

"Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions."

Forgiving before the other person even knows you have.

"Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”"

No vengeance — leaving room for something larger.