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What does the Bible say about apologizing to one another?

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The Bible calls believers to humbly acknowledge wrong, seek reconciliation, confess sin, and freely forgive one another as God has forgiven them in Christ. Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 ground this grace in God’s mercy, while James 5:16 encourages honest confession and prayer. Jesus teaches that reconciliation with a brother or sister should be pursued urgently in Matthew 5:23-24, and Luke 17:3-4 joins loving rebuke with ready forgiveness when there is repentance. Such humility reflects Christlike love, which is patient, kind, and not self-seeking, as 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 says. Because God forgives repentant sinners through Christ, Christians may apologize sincerely without fear and forgive generously without keeping score.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Ephesians 4:32

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

  • Colossians 3:13

    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.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you gird yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

  • Luke 11:4

    Forgive us our sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.'"

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

    [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn't rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

  • James 5:16

    Confess your offenses to one another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effective, earnest prayer of a righteous man is powerfully effective.

  • John 3:16-17

    [16] For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. [17] For God didn't send his Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through him.

  • Matthew 5:23-24

    [23] "If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has anything against you, [24] leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

  • Matthew 6:14-15

    [14] "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. [15] But if you don't forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

  • Luke 17:3-4

    [3] Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. [4] If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

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