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What does the Bible say about forgiveness?

Answered in 216 sources

The Bible teaches that forgiveness is a divine prerogative, demonstrated by Jesus on the cross when He prayed for His enemies, saying, 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34).

Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible, illustrating God's mercy and grace. Jesus exemplified this on the cross when He prayed for His murderers, indicating that forgiveness extends even to those who oppose us. His prayer highlights the need for divine mercy, as He requested forgiveness for their ignorance regarding the enormity of their sin. This act not only serves as an example for believers on how to respond to wrongs but also emphasizes God's willingness to forgive those who repent, as outlined in 1 John 1:9.
Scripture References: Luke 23:34, 1 John 1:9, Matthew 6:14-15, Colossians 1:14, Jeremiah 31:34, Psalm 32:1-2, Isaiah 43:25, Luke 7:37-50, Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 18:15-35, Colossians 3:13, Matthew 18:21-35, Matthew 18:21-22, Psalm 51, Matthew 6:12, John 13:34-35, Philemon 1:15-16, Luke 7:41-42, Romans 3:23, Matthew 5:43-44, 2 Samuel 16:5-14, Proverbs 20:22, Isaiah 53:12, 2 Corinthians 2:7-8, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 7:36-50, Daniel 9:9, Isaiah 55:7, Psalms 32:1, Psalm 103:3, Psalm 103:12, Romans 3:24, Hosea 14:4, Colossians 2:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:19, Philemon 1:10-11, Luke 7:48, 1 Corinthians 13, Ephesians 1:7, Psalms 130:3-4, Romans 5:8, Psalm 130:3, Matthew 18:15-20, Colossians 3:12-13, Psalm 130:4, Psalm 130:3-4, 1 John 1:7, Psalm 86:5, Genesis 50:15-21, Psalm 103:11-12, Hebrews 8:12, Psalm 32:1, Psalm 130, 1 Samuel 24:6, Romans 12:19, Philemon 1:8-16, Mark 11:25, Romans 8:33, Romans 8:30, John 3:36, Luke 17:3-4, Jeremiah 50:20, Mark 2:5; Ephesians 1:7; Micah 7:18-19, Luke 7:47, 1 John 4:19, Matthew 22:36-40, 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Ephesians 4:31-32, Exodus 34:6-7, Matthew 18:35, Colossians 3:12-14, Ephesians 4:2, Genesis 45:4-8, Matthew 9:1-8, Isaiah 38:17, Isaiah 1:18, Psalm 51:4, Genesis 50:17, Romans 3:19, Isaiah 55:8-9, Ephesians 2:8-9, Luke 7:42, Psalm 51:1-2, Psalm 103:10-12, Matthew 1:21, John 1:9, John 8:10-11, Isaiah 53:6, 2 Corinthians 2:7-10, 1 Peter 2:24, Romans 5:1, Romans 3:26, Luke 7:47-50, Romans 15:7, Luke 17:1-5, Romans 8:1-4, Isaiah 53:10-12, Isaiah 53:5, Jeremiah 32:40, Hebrews 9:24, Romans 10:13, Psalm 103:2-5, Romans 3:23-24, Romans 8:1, Psalm 51:1, Psalm 32:2, Matthew 6:12-15, Colossians 2:13, Philippians 1:12-18, John 8:1-12, Psalm 103, Romans 2:14-15, Romans 12:20, Ephesians 4:30-32, Philemon 1:11, Genesis 50:20, Mark 14:27, Romans 9:30-32, Zechariah 13:1-7, Psalm 25, Matthew 5:44, Luke 5:20, 2 Samuel 19:16-23, Isaiah 45:22, Matthew 9:2, Psalm 130:3-5, 1 John 1:7-9, Hebrews 9:22, Romans 6:23, 1 Timothy 1:15, Isaiah 33:24, Isaiah 55:6-7, 1 John 4:10, Romans 4:8, Micah 7:18, 2 Samuel 19:21-23, Hebrews 10:17, Matthew 18:32-33, Romans 3:25

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Articles (49)

Luke 23:34
Robert Hawker · Apr 9, 2016
Forgiven
Tommy Robbins · Nov 6, 2021
1 Samuel 24:6
J.R. Miller · Jun 5, 2016
Psalm 130
Henry Law · May 10, 2007
Surviving Sin
Bobby Capps · Aug 10, 2019
Psalm 130:4
Robert Hawker · Aug 4, 2016
Matthew 18:21-35
J.C. Ryle · Feb 14, 2016
Our Attitude
Henry Mahan · Dec 26, 2018
Strong Doctrine
Don Fortner · Sep 30, 2010
Forgiveness
Henry Mahan · Jun 1, 2023
Our Attitude
Donnie Bell · Jun 28, 2022
Joshua

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