The concept of forgiveness is central to Christian theology and is deeply rooted in the character of God as revealed in the Bible. Forgiveness is the act of pardoning an offender and is a fundamental aspect of God's relationship with humanity, as well as the relationships among individuals.

Divine Forgiveness

God's willingness to forgive is a recurring theme throughout the Scriptures. In the Old Testament, God reveals Himself as a forgiving God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. In Exodus 34:6-7, God proclaims His nature to Moses: "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage highlights God's readiness to forgive those who repent and turn to Him.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's forgiveness. Psalm 103:12 declares, "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." This imagery emphasizes the completeness of God's forgiveness, removing sin entirely from the sinner.

In the New Testament, the ultimate expression of divine forgiveness is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Through His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus provides the means by which humanity can be reconciled to God. Ephesians 1:7 states, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This verse underscores that forgiveness is a gift of grace, made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.

Human Forgiveness

The Bible also instructs believers to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God. This principle is central to Christian ethics and is emphasized in the teachings of Jesus. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). This petition links divine forgiveness with human forgiveness, suggesting that the two are interconnected.

Jesus further elaborates on this in Matthew 18:21-22, when Peter asks how many times he should forgive someone who sins against him. Jesus responds, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times." This response indicates that forgiveness should be limitless, reflecting the boundless forgiveness of God.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes the importance of forgiveness in the life of a believer. In Colossians 3:13, he writes, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This exhortation calls Christians to emulate the forgiveness they have received from God in their interactions with others.

Forgiveness and Repentance

While God's forgiveness is freely offered, it is often associated with repentance. Repentance involves a genuine turning away from sin and a turning toward God. In Acts 3:19, Peter calls for repentance, saying, "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." This call to repentance is a prerequisite for experiencing the fullness of God's forgiveness.

Forgiveness and Reconciliation

Forgiveness is also a key component of reconciliation, both with God and with others. In 2 Corinthians 5:18-19, Paul speaks of the ministry of reconciliation, stating, "All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to Himself in Christ, not counting men's trespasses against them." This passage highlights that forgiveness is integral to restoring broken relationships.

Conclusion

The biblical concept of forgiveness is profound and multifaceted, encompassing divine grace, human responsibility, repentance, and reconciliation. It is a testament to the transformative power of God's love and a call for believers to reflect that love in their own lives.863. aphiemi -- to send away, leave alone, permit
... send away, leave alone, permit NASB Word Usage abandoned (1), allow (5), allowed
(2), divorce (2), forgave (2), forgive (23), forgiven (23), forgives (1), gave ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/863.htm - 10k5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... 1), ever forgive (1), exalt (2), exalted (9), exalting (2), favor* (1), fetch (1),
forgave (2), forget (1), forgive (8), forgiven (3), forgives (1), forgiving ...
/hebrew/5375.htm - 8k

That the Spirit Forgives Sin is Common to Him with the Father and ...
... Book I. Chapter X. That the Spirit forgives sin is common to Him with the Father
and the Son? ... The Spirit could not be liable to sin, Who rather forgives sin. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter x that the spirit.htm

Christ Forgives the Magdalen at the House of Simon the Pharisee. ...
... Section 140. Christ forgives the Magdalen at the House of Simon the Pharisee. "The
reciprocal action of Love and Faith in the Forgiveness of Sins. ...
/.../section 140 christ forgives the.htm

A Rich Father visits his Dying Prodigal Son in a Garret and ...
... A Rich Father visits his Dying Prodigal Son in a Garret and Forgives him. There
is a story told of Mr. William Dawson, which I would like to relate. ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/a rich father visits his.htm

As He Purposes to Establish the Godhead of the Holy Spirit by the ...
... Ambrose touches again on some of them; for instance, that He does not commit but
forgives sin; that He is not a creature but the Creator; and lastly, that He ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xviii as he purposes.htm

Almsgiving and Forgiveness
... gives advice to the perplexed, and does whatever is needful for the needy [158]
"not only does this man give alms, but the man who forgives the trespasser ...
/.../handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xix almsgiving and forgiveness.htm

And Forgive us Our Trespasses, as we Forgive those who Trespass ...
... For just as we daily sin much against God and yet He forgives everything through
grace, so we, too, must ever forgive our neighbor who does us injury, violence ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/and forgive us our trespasses.htm

'Forgive us Our Debts'
... When we forgive one another, he who forgives puts away alienation of heart, every
cloud of suspicion from his mind, and his feeling and his conduct are as if ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/forgive us our debts.htm

April the Twenty-Third Masculine Forgiveness
... It forgives, but it "cannot forget." It forgives, but it "can never trust again."
It forgives, but "things can never be the same as they were." What kind of ...
/.../april the twenty-third masculine forgiveness.htm

Fourteenth Lesson. When Ye Stand Praying, Forgive;'
... revealed in His love to us, becomes a disposition in us; as the power of His forgiving
love shed abroad and dwelling within us, we forgive even as He forgives. ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/fourteenth lesson when ye stand.htm

Christian Meekness
... Some can rather sacrifice their lives than their lusts, but forgive we must, and
forgive as God forgives. Forgiveness must be: ... He forgives and forgets. ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/12 christian meekness.htm

Forgives (6 Occurrences)
...Forgives (6 Occurrences). ... 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is so faithful and
just that He forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. ...
/f/forgives.htm - 8k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... God"s forgiveness is conditional upon man's forgiveness of the wrongs done him,
not because God forgives grudgingly but because forgiveness alone indicates ...
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Guests (43 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Luke 7:49 Then the other guests began to say to themselves,
"Who can this man be who even forgives sins?" (WEY NIV). ...
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Forgivenesses (1 Occurrence)

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Forgiveth (4 Occurrences)

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Forgive (81 Occurrences)
... Luke 7:49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, "Who is
this who even forgives sins?" (Root in WEB KJV WEY ASV BBE DBY WBS YLT NAS ...
/f/forgive.htm - 33k

Pardons (4 Occurrences)
... hast not forsaken them. (YLT). Psalms 103:3 who forgives all your sins;
who heals all your diseases; (See NAS). Daniel 9:9 With the ...
/p/pardons.htm - 7k

Cleanses (4 Occurrences)
... (WEB WEY DBY NAS RSV). 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is so faithful and
just that He forgives us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness. ...
/c/cleanses.htm - 7k

Curse (211 Occurrences)
... In the light of the law all men are guilty. There is no acquittal through appeal
to a law that commands and never forgives-prohibits and never relents. ...
/c/curse.htm - 46k

Gives (542 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Luke 7:49 Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves,
"Who is this who even forgives sins?" (Root in WEB WEY BBE DBY NAS RSV NIV). ...
/g/gives.htm - 35k

What does the Bible say about forgiveness? What does it mean to forgive? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about forgiving yourself / self-forgiveness? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean that God has removed our sins from us “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12)? | GotQuestions.org

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