Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
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Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Forgiveness is one of the Bible's central themes — God forgiving humanity, and believers forgiving one another. These verses speak to the radical scope of God's mercy and the call to extend that same grace to others, no matter how deep the wound.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Read versePsalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Read verseColossians 3:13
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Read verseIsaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.”
Read verseMatthew 6:14
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
Read verseRomans 8:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
Read verseMicah 7:18
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.”
Read versePsalm 86:5
“For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.”
Read verseLuke 6:37
“Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:”
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Common Questions
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives all who confess and repent (1 John 1:9), and calls believers to forgive others as they have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13). Psalm 103:12 captures the scope of God's forgiveness: 'As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.'
Does the Bible say I have to forgive someone who hurt me?
Yes. Matthew 6:14–15 and Colossians 3:13 both make this explicit. Forgiveness in Scripture is not based on the other person deserving it — it is grounded in how much God has forgiven us. This doesn't mean pretending the hurt didn't happen or resuming a harmful relationship, but releasing the debt.
How many times does the Bible say to forgive?
When Peter asked if forgiving seven times was sufficient, Jesus answered 'seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22) — meaning without limit. The point is not a quota but a posture: continual, grace-based forgiveness modeled on God's own.
What if I struggle to forgive?
The Bible does not require forgiveness to feel easy or immediate. The willingness to forgive can itself be brought to God in prayer. Romans 8:1 reminds believers there is no condemnation in Christ — that grace applies to struggles with forgiveness too.