Dictionary of Bible Themes: 8844 unforgiveness

8844 unforgiveness

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 8000 The life of the believer » 8700 Threats to the life of faith » 8844 unforgiveness

God remains unforgiving to those described as unrepentant, who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit and who are themselves unforgiving. Being unforgiving and demonstrating true love are mutually exclusive.

The unforgiveness of God

Towards the unrepentant

Deuteronomy 29:18-21 See also Exodus 23:21; Exodus 34:7; Numbers 14:18; Joshua 24:19; 2 Kings 24:4; Isaiah 30:12-14; Jeremiah 5:7; Lamentations 3:42; Hosea 1:6; Luke 18:10-14; Hebrews 10:28-31

Towards those whose hearts are hardened

Joshua 11:20; Matthew 13:13-15 pp Mark 4:11-12 pp Luke 8:9-10; Isaiah 6:9-10; John 9:39-41; John 20:23

Towards those who blaspheme against the Holy Spirit

Matthew 12:31-32 pp Mark 3:28-29 pp Luke 12:10 Blasphemy against the Spirit probably involves attributing the authenticating miracles of Jesus Christ to the work of Satan rather than to the power of the Holy Spirit. See also 1 John 5:16

Towards those who are not forgiving

Matthew 6:14-15; James 2:12-13 See also Matthew 5:23-24; Matthew 7:1-2 pp Luke 6:37-38; Matthew 18:32-35; Matthew 23:23; Mark 11:25-26 NIV footnote at verse 26; Romans 14:9-13

God's people call upon him not to forgive the wicked

Jeremiah 18:23 See also Nehemiah 4:5; Isaiah 2:9

True love is forgiving

Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 See also Psalm 86:5; Psalm 130:3-4; Daniel 9:9; Micah 7:18; Acts 13:38; Romans 15:7; 2 Corinthians 2:5-11; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13