What does the Bible say about forgiving your enemies?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible calls believers to forgive their enemies, reject personal vengeance, and overcome evil with good because God has shown them mercy in Christ. Jesus commands His disciples to love, pray for, and do good to those who oppose them, reflecting the Father’s gracious character (Matthew 5:44-48; Luke 6:27). Romans 12:17-21 teaches Christians to leave righteous judgment to God while seeking peace and responding to hostility with kindness. Forgiveness does not deny evil or eliminate wise boundaries, but releases revenge to the Lord. Because God forgave us in Christ, we are to put away bitterness and forgive one another from the heart (Ephesians 4:31-32; Matthew 18:21-22).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Romans 12:17-21
[17] Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. [18] If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. [19] Don't seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God's wrath. For it is written, "Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord." [20] Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head." [21] Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
- Matthew 5:44
But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
- Ephesians 4:32
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Ephesians 4:31-32
[31] Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander, be put away from you, with all malice. [32] And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Luke 6:27
"But I tell you who hear: love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
- Mark 11:25
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.
- 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.
- John 15:12
"This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.
- Matthew 5:43-48
[43] "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.' [44] But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you, [45] that you may be children of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the just and the unjust. [46] For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? [47] If you only greet your friends, what more do you do than others? Don't even the tax collectors do the same? [48] Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
- Matthew 18:21-22
[21] Then Peter came and said to him, "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" [22] Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.
Related topics
Go deeper
Ask Explain Bible AI about forgiving your enemies and get a fuller answer from a Reformed theological perspective.
Ask what the Bible says about forgiving your enemies