Bible Verses About Forgiveness

Forgiveness appears in scripture in two directions: the forgiveness offered to us, and the forgiveness asked of us toward others. Both show up in these verses, since one tends to shape the other.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Forgiveness here is directly tied to a pattern already received. The instruction is to extend what has already been given, not to generate something new on your own.

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

A verse about receiving forgiveness. Confession is named as the simple step that opens the door.

Matthew 6:14-15

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Part of the teaching that follows the Lord's Prayer. Jesus draws a direct link between the forgiveness we receive and the forgiveness we are willing to give.

Colossians 3:13

Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.

"Forbearing" is an older word for patient tolerance, put here right alongside forgiving. The verse assumes real quarrels will happen and gives a way to hold them.

Psalm 103:12

As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

East and west never meet, no matter how far you travel in either direction, which is exactly the point of the image. The distance described is complete.

Start with one step

Forgiveness is rarely finished in a single sitting; it tends to be a practice more than a decision made once. Devotional's prayer space gives you somewhere to bring it back to, for as many days as it actually takes.