Are you looking for a Bible Scripture about forgiving others? If yes, then we have not just one but 7 verses for you. In this blog, discover what the Bible says about forgiving one another and discovering God’s mercy and love in the process!

Bible Scripture About Forgiving Others in the Bible

Forgiving others in the Bible is not merely an action but a profound expression of love, grace, and empathy. According to the Bible, forgiving one another is not optional. It’s something we must do if we are going to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ (Yahshua the Messiah). It’s about extending a hand of reconciliation even when it feels impossible, letting go of bitterness and resentment, and choosing to surrender the hurt, anger, and frustration caused by those who have wronged us.

In the King James Version (KJV), the word forgive was mentioned 56 times while forgiveness was mentioned 7 times. This tells us that forgiveness is a big topic when it comes to the Bible.

When we forgive, we don’t deny the pain, but rather, we choose to forgive in spite of the pain. When we forgive, we release the power it holds over our hearts, allowing healing to take root and restoring fractured relationships.

In essence, we forgive others because God has forgiven us. We need to recognize that we all need forgiveness and thus, we need to extend the same mercy to others.

While there are a lot of bible verses about forgiveness, we are just going to talk about forgiveness in terms of our relationship with other people. For this reason, let’s discuss 7 of the most important bible scripture verses about forgiveness:

1. Ephesians 4:32: Forgiveness as a Process

³² And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Ephesians 4:32 is Paul’s invitation to take the path of love, which includes kindness, tenderheartedness or compassion, and forgiveness. Notice how forgiveness actually has steps for us to take. This is especially helpful when we find it hard to forgive.

Paul explains that for us to forgive others, we need to be kind and compassionate. This bible scripture about forgiving others means that we should take off the focus on ourselves. We need to stop thinking about how we are wronged, how unfair things were, and how painful people have been hurt. Instead, we think of others and start realizing that just like them, we all commit mistakes.

Now, here’s the most important part of this verse: we need to remember God’s mercy toward us. You see, we all don’t deserve God’s mercy and grace. What we deserve is death for the sins we have committed. Yet, God didn’t judge us based on our weakness, but on our willingness to change and turn from our wicked ways.

Ephesians 4:32, the Apostle Paul offers a poignant reflection on forgiveness, inviting us to embody the same grace and compassion that God extends to us through Christ. Paul draws a parallel between our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us through Christ. Just as God, in his infinite love and mercy, forgives us despite our failings, we are called to extend the same grace and forgiveness to those who have wronged us.

This verse speaks to the beauty and complexity of forgiveness in human relationships. It acknowledges the pain and difficulty of letting go, yet it also illuminates the transformative power of grace and reconciliation. It’s a reminder that forgiveness isn’t just an act of duty but a sacred expression of love, reflecting the very heart of God.

2. Colossians 3:12-13: Forgiveness in the Community of Believers

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.

Colossians 3:12-13

Colossians 3:12-13 starts with identifying the people of God. Here, Paul is saying that we are no ordinary group of people. We are the very ELECT of GOD!

As a result, we are to be different from the rest of the world. We are to be characterized with holiness, mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering. We are to be a light of the world by exhibiting these godly qualities!

Another important point here is that forgiving others doesn’t happen automatically. You need mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience to effectively forgive others. For example, you can’t truly forgive others if you are not merciful or humble.

Notice as well that we are part of the Body of Yahshua. Paul exhorts you to “bear with one another, and forgive one another.” Here, forgiveness takes center stage, beckoning you to embrace the messy, imperfect reality of human relationships. It’s a call to extend grace to those who have wronged you, just as Christ forgave you.

In light of this profound forgiveness, Paul urges you to extend the same grace to others. It’s not always easy—forgiveness requires vulnerability, humility, and a willingness to let go of hurts and grievances. But in doing so, you mirror the transformative power of Christ’s forgiveness in your own life and contribute to the beauty of redeemed relationships within the body of Christ.

3. Matthew 18:21-22: Forgiving Without No Boundary

Then Peter came to Him and said, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21-22

A lot of people have asked this question, “How many times should I forgive others?” Perhaps, you have also asked this question. Thankfully, Peter asked this question to the most qualified Person to answer — Jesus Christ.

Now, here’s what we need to know. Peter’s suggestion of forgiving someone seven times might seem generous to us, but in Jewish tradition, forgiving someone three times was already considered commendable. So, Peter’s proposal seems like a significant leap.

Yet, Jesus responds not with a fixed number but with a radical idea: “Not seven times, but seventy times seven.” In essence, Jesus isn’t setting a numerical limit on forgiveness; he’s challenging Peter (and us) to embrace forgiveness without bounds!

This interaction speaks volumes about the human struggle with forgiveness. How often do we find ourselves grappling with the same question Peter posed? How many times should we extend mercy to those who have hurt us? And just when we think we’ve reached our limit, Jesus invites us to go beyond, to forgive not just seven times but an uncountable multitude.

This bible scripture about forgiving others reminds us that forgiveness is not a one-time event but a continual journey, often marked by setbacks and struggles. It’s about extending grace and mercy, even when it feels undeserved or difficult. Through Peter’s question and Jesus’ response, we’re invited to embrace a forgiveness that knows no limits, mirroring the boundless mercy and love of our Savior.

4. Matthew 6:14-15: Forgive to be Forgiven

“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 6:14-15

Matthew 6:14-15 is one of the most amazing but difficult-to-accept truths in the Bible. Most people live their lives choosing whom they want to forgive. Some people go on with their lives with an unforgiving heart. Yet, in the midst of all these, they still feel okay. They don’t realize that forgiving is not a choice we can make when we feel like it or not. Forgiveness is actually an important part of us getting forgiven as well!

Imagine yourself grappling with the weight of past hurts and grievances, seeking solace and reconciliation. In this tender moment, Jesus offers a profound truth: our capacity to forgive others directly impacts the forgiveness we receive from our heavenly Father.

It’s as if Jesus is gently reminding us of the intertwined nature of forgiveness – when we extend forgiveness to others, we open the floodgates for God’s forgiveness to pour into our own lives. It’s a beautiful exchange, where the act of releasing others from their wrongs sets us free from the burden of resentment and bitterness.

But there’s a poignant warning in Jesus’ words as well. If we choose to hold onto grudges and withhold forgiveness, we create barriers between ourselves and the divine forgiveness we so desperately need. It’s as if Jesus is urging us to see forgiveness not just as a moral duty but as a pathway to healing and restoration, both in our relationships with others and with God.

5. Luke 6:37: Forgiving Instead of Condemning

³⁷ “Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

Luke 6:37

In Luke 6:37, a bible scripture about forgiving others, Jesus offers a profound teaching on the interconnectedness of judgment, condemnation, and forgiveness in our relationships with others.

Imagine sitting at Jesus’ feet, feeling the weight of your own shortcomings and the temptation to pass judgment on those around you. In this moment, Jesus speaks with a gentle yet firm voice, urging you to refrain from judgment and condemnation.

“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned.” These words carry a poignant reminder that the measure of grace we extend to others will be extended to us in return. It’s as if Jesus is inviting us to see beyond the surface of people’s actions and to embrace a spirit of compassion and empathy instead.

But the most powerful part of Jesus’ teaching comes in the form of a promise: “Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” In these few words, Jesus reveals the transformative power of forgiveness. When we choose to forgive others, we not only release them from their wrongs but also free ourselves from the burdens of resentment and bitterness. It’s a liberating act that opens the door to reconciliation and healing in our relationships.

6. Luke 17:3-4: Ready to Forgive

Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” 

Luke 17:3-4

In Luke 17:3-4, Jesus provides practical guidance on forgiveness, grounding it in the messy reality of human relationships.

Imagine walking alongside Jesus, feeling the ache of betrayal or hurt from someone close to you. In this moment, Jesus speaks directly to your heart, offering a roadmap for navigating the complexities of forgiveness.

He begins by acknowledging the pain caused by someone’s wrongdoing, affirming your right to address it. He encourages you to speak up, to confront the one who has wronged you, not out of vengeance, but out of a desire for reconciliation and restoration.

But then comes the pivotal moment: If the person repents, if they acknowledge their fault and seek to make amends, Jesus calls you to extend forgiveness. You don’t have to hesitate. You don’t have to think twice. You don’t have to put certain conditions. I know it can be hard, but it’s a radical act of grace, offering a clean slate and a fresh start, even when the wounds are still raw.

And Jesus doesn’t stop there. He goes further, painting a vivid picture of forgiveness’s boundless nature. Even if the person wrongs you repeatedly, if they come back to you with a repentant heart, you’re called to forgive them each time. It’s a staggering proposition, one that challenges our natural inclination to hold onto grudges and resentments.

📌 You may also want to read, “The One Reason Why God Will not Forgive You.”

7. Luke 23:34: Jesus Sets the Example of Forgiving Others

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

Luke 23:34

In Luke 23:34, we witness an incredibly poignant moment during the crucifixion of Jesus, where he utters a prayer that embodies the essence of forgiveness in the face of profound suffering and injustice.

Imagine standing at the foot of the cross, witnessing the excruciating agony of Jesus as he hangs between heaven and earth. Despite the unimaginable pain and betrayal he’s enduring, his first instinct is not one of anger or vengeance, but of compassion and forgiveness.

In this prayer, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do,” Jesus extends forgiveness to those who have inflicted unimaginable pain upon him. His words carry a depth of empathy and understanding, acknowledging the ignorance and blindness of those who have committed such atrocities.

This moment captures the essence of forgiveness in its purest form. It’s a radical act of love that transcends human comprehension, offering grace and mercy to those who least deserve it. Jesus doesn’t wait for an apology or a change of heart from his tormentors; he extends forgiveness freely and unconditionally.

In this bible scripture about forgiving others, we find both a challenge and an invitation. It challenges us to emulate the example of Jesus, extending forgiveness even when it feels impossible or undeserved. And it invites us to experience the transformative power of forgiveness in our own lives, freeing us from the chains of bitterness and resentment and ushering in a newfound sense of peace and reconciliation.

Through Jesus’ prayer on the cross, we’re reminded of the incredible capacity of the human heart to forgive, even in the midst of unimaginable pain and suffering. It’s a testament to the redemptive power of love, which has the power to heal even the deepest wounds and reconcile the most fractured relationships.

Explore the Bible Scripture About Forgiving Others

In conclusion, as we’ve journeyed through these seven powerful Bible scriptures about forgiving others, we’ve glimpsed the transformative power of forgiveness in our lives and relationships. From the radical call to forgive “seventy times seven” in Matthew 18:21-22 to the profound reminder in Luke 6:37 to “judge not, condemn not, forgive,” each verse invites us to embrace forgiveness as a deeply human yet divinely inspired act.

Forgiveness is not merely a duty or obligation but a sacred journey of healing and reconciliation. It’s about extending grace and mercy to others, mirroring the boundless love and forgiveness that God offers us through Christ.

As we heed the wisdom of these verses or bible scripture about forgiving others and embody the spirit of forgiveness in our lives, may we experience the freedom, joy, and peace that come from letting go of resentment and embracing the transformative power of love.

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