One of the most dangerous things that threatens believers’ hope, joy, and abundant life today is unforgiveness. When we refuse to forgive or get stuck struggling to forgive, our faith walk gets stuck. These forgiveness Bible verses will help you get unstuck and back on the path to breakthrough and an abundant life.
Over 60 Bible Verses About Forgiveness You Need To Know
Most of the time I’d give you practical ways to apply each of the verses listed, but it would take a book to get through all of these forgiveness Bible verses. So for today, I will group them and leave you with links to resources to help you apply the verses!
Free Bible Reading Plan on Forgiveness
New Book: Real Forgiveness (How Anyone Can Forgive Anything)
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What The Bible Says About Forgiveness
The Bible says a lot about forgiveness. It is lived out by our Patriarchs, explained by our Savior, and expected from all. Jesus lived a life of forgiveness. He specifically commanded all believers to forgive.
Forgiveness is a command, not a suggestion.
Throughout the Scriptures, we see not only examples of forgiveness but promises linked to the spiritual discipline. Let’s explore them together.
Related Post: Free Bible Study On Forgiveness and Reconciliation: 10 Steps
Verses About Forgiving Others
We see a clear command to forgive from the Words of Jesus.
“Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.” (Luke 17:3-4 NKJV)
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven…” (Luke 6:37 ESV)
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” (Mark 11:25 ESV)
Bible Verses About Forgiveness From Paul
The Apostle Paul continues to teach all the churches of the importance of forgiveness!
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:29-32 NKJV)
These 100+ Forgiveness Bible Verses Can Help to Bring Breakthrough and get your faith unstuck! Share on X“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13 ESV)
Bible Verses About Forgiveness of Sins
We are to forgive as we are forgiven.
“ In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace…” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV)
“ If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9 NASB)
Forgiveness Bible Verses Matthew
I love how Jesus spoke so prolifically about the need for forgiveness in our lives.
“Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there you remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.” (Matthew 5:23-24 NASB)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven…” (Matthew 5:43-48 ESV)
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15 ESV)
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times…” (Matthew 18:21-34 *:21-22 ESV)
“When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit on his glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and he will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.” (Matthew 25:31-46 ESV)
Old Testament Forgiveness Scriptures
From the very beginning of Scripture, we see the Lord teaching us to forgive and the cost of His ultimate forgiveness.
“And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skins and clothed them.” (Genesis 3:21 ESV)
“The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” (Exodus 14:14 ESV)
“But if you carefully obey his voice and do all that I say, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries.” (Exodus 23:22 ESV)
Vengeance and the Justice of God in the Old Testament
“Vengeance is Mine, and recompense;
Their foot shall slip in due time;
For the day of their calamity is at hand,
And the things to come hasten upon them.” (Deuteronomy 32:35 ESV)
“And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:12 ESV)
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him. You have done foolishly in this, for from now on you will have wars.” (2 Chronicles 16:9 ESV)
God is The Ancient of Days Who Will Judge
God Almighty is the ultimate judge, and that is why we are able to freely forgive. He will handle judgment in the end.
“As I looked, thrones were placed,
and the Ancient of Days took his seat;
his clothing was white as snow,
and the hair of his head like pure wool;
his throne was fiery flames;
its wheels were burning fire.” (Daniel 7:9-10 ESV)
“Because you have not remembered the days of your youth, but have enraged me with all these things, therefore, behold, I have returned your deeds upon your head, declares the Lord God. Have you not committed lewdness in addition to all your abominations?” (Ezekiel 16:43 ESV)
“Your eyes are too pure to look at evil,
And You cannot look at harm favorably.
Why do You look favorably
At those who deal treacherously?
Why are You silent when the wicked swallow up
Those more righteous than they?” (Habakkuk 1:13 ESV)
“I said in my heart, God will judge the righteous and the wicked, for there is a time for every matter and for every work.” (Ecclesiastes 3:17 ESV)
Bible Passages on Forgiveness from Isaiah
Throughout the Old Testament, we see forgiveness. We also learn that the strength to forgive comes from the Lord.
“fear not, for I am with you;
be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10 ESV)
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are my ways higher than your ways
and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV)
“But your wrongdoings have caused a separation between you and your God,
And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.” (Isaiah 59:2 ESV)
“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord;
my soul shall exult in my God,
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation;
he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself like a priest with a beautiful headdress,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.” (Isaiah 61:10 ESV)
Psalms About Forgiveness and Sin
In the Psalms, we see forgiveness and a reminder that sin is never tolerated by the Lord.
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil can dwell with You.” (Psalm 5:4 ESV)
“The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.” (Psalm 51:17 ESV)
“If I regard iniquity in my heart,
The Lord will not hear.” (Psalm 66:18 NKJV)
Related Post: 13 Bible Verses About Fear Not To Claim To Be Still
The Benefits of Forgiveness
We see forgiveness demonstrated in the life of Joseph. He gives the most beautiful of all the examples of forgiveness in the Bible. It all began with this line in verse 5.
“Now Joseph had a dream…” (Genesis 37-50 ESV)
Through the story of Joseph, we find that the benefits of forgiveness run deep and far. We are still living in the blessings of his faithfulness to God’s ways. Joseph chose to forgive and through him all of the nations were saved!
Joseph’s brothers plotted evil against him.
“saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him…” (Genesis 37:18-28 ESV)
God, however, protected Joseph and strategically moved him into just the right position at just the right time!
“So he left all that he had in Joseph’s charge, and because of him he had no concern about anything but the food he ate.” (Genesis 39:6-20) ESV)
And in the end we see evidence of the forgiveness in Joseph’s heart.
“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.” (Genesis 50:15-21 (Specifically :20) ESV)
Related Post: How To Keep Trusting God When It Looks Impossible
Scripture in the Bible About Forgiveness of Sins in Romans
Romans is the simplest place to focus on salvation because the Apostle Paul gives a clear pathway. The first step is to understand that we all sin. God forgives sin, but we must accept His forgiveness.
We all Sin
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 ESV)
“ For the wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 ESV)
“For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate.” (Romans 7:15 ESV)
“For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.” (Romans 7:19 ESV)
“Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.” (Romans 7:24-25 ESV)
God Loves Us and Made A Way
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 ESV)
“…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved…” (Romans 10:9 ESV)
Related Post: 50+ Convincing Bible Verses About God’s Love You Need To Know
Because of Jesus’ Sacrifice We are Victorious
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1 ESV)
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)
“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37 ESV)
As Believers, We Live Sacrificially
“Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:1-2 NASB)
“Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:17-19 ESV)
The Enemy’s Role in Sin and Unforgiveness
“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” (Ephesians 4:26-27 NKJV)
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 NASB)
Bible Verses For Forgiveness and Repentance from Jesus Mouth
“Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:27 ESV)
“For when you are going with your accuser to appear before the magistrate, on the way, make an effort to settle with him, so that he does not drag you before the judge, and the judge hand you over to the officer, and the officer throw you into prison.” (Luke 12:58 NASB)
“The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.” (John 1:9 ESV)
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”” (John 5:6 ESV)
“And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” (John 8:1-11 (*:7-11) ESV)
Attributes of Forgiveness in the Bible From Paul
“The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV)
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation…” (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 NASB)
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9 ESV)
“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27 ESV)
“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.” (Galatians 6:9 ESV)
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12 ESV)
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped…” (Philippians 2:3-6 ESV)
“…having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.” (2 Timothy 3:5 ESV)
More Proofs of Forgiveness in Your Life
When we are forgiving, we will turn back from sin and live in deed.
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19 ESV)
“ Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18 ESV)
God’s Forgiveness Bible Verses From Hebrews
“Pursue peace with all people, and the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many become defiled…” (Hebrews 12:14-15 NASB)
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities,
and I will remember their sins no more.” (Hebrews 8:12 ESV)
“For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” (Hebrews 10:30 ESV)
“Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled, for God will judge the sexually immoral and adulterous.” (Hebrews 13:4 ESV)
A Challenge To Meditate on These Forgiveness Bible Verses
Forgiveness is hard. Period. It is hard to learn, hard to understand, and harder still to live out. I want to challenge you to begin today to meditate on these forgiveness Bible verses to jump-start the process in your heart and mind.
And if you want to go deeper, you can pick up my new book *“Real Forgiveness: How Anyone Can Forgive Anything” and start finding healing and breakthrough today.
in HIS love,
Tiffany of Hope Joy in Christ inspires Christian Women to grow in faith, live out Biblical Marriage Principles and raise Godly Children. Join the Wives Only Facebook Group here or keep up with her through Pinterest.
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Meta: To learn how to live in hope and joy, we must learn to forgive to get to that place of breakthrough. These forgiveness Bible verses help.
