What the Bible Says About Forgiveness
Forgiveness is the gospel in one word.
God's forgiveness isn't conditional on our worthiness — it's based on Christ's finished work. And once we've received that, we're called to extend it. These verses show both sides.
Ask The SWORD App about forgiveness in your own words.
✨ Ask the Bible →Forgiveness in Scripture (KJV)
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.
Jesus links our willingness to forgive to our experience of being forgiven. The two are inseparable.
Read in context →And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.
The standard for how we forgive: as God for Christ's sake forgave you.
Read in context →Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Bear with one another, forgive one another. Not because they deserve it — because Christ forgave you.
Read in context →If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Confession leads to cleansing. He is faithful and just to forgive — not "if we earn it," but if we confess.
Read in context →Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.
Seven times in a day. Jesus sets a high bar — and Peter responds with "increase our faith."
Read in context →Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.
Seventy times seven — the number isn't the point. The point is: don't keep score.
Read in context →Read these passages in full with AI explanations, cross-references, and 5 translations.
Start Free in The SWORD App →