What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives repentant sinners through Jesus Christ and calls those who receive His mercy to forgive others from the heart. In 1 John 1:9, believers are assured that God is faithful and just to forgive confessed sin and cleanse us. Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 ground our forgiveness of others in God’s prior forgiveness in Christ. Jesus warns in Matthew 6:14-15 and Mark 11:25 that a persistently unforgiving spirit contradicts a claim to welcome the Father’s mercy. Matthew 18:21-22 portrays forgiveness as continual, while Luke 6:37 joins it to mercy and freedom from condemning judgment.
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Ephesians 4:32 6 votes
And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Mark 11:25 5 votes
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
- 1 John 1:9 5 votes
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
- Matthew 6:15 4 votes
But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Matthew 18:21-22 4 votes
Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
- Matthew 6:14-15 3 votes
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Luke 6:37 3 votes
Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
- Colossians 3:13 3 votes
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.
- James 5:16 2 votes
Confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The insistent prayer of a righteous person is powerfully effective.
- Luke 6:27 2 votes
“But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
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