Bible Verses

The Best 50+ Bible Verses About Forgiving Others

Created:
January 15, 2025
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Updated:
February 5, 2025
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Author:
Joseph Cox

Forgiveness can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding acts we can offer to others. It's a journey that requires strength, compassion, and a deep understanding of grace.

Whether you're seeking to mend a broken relationship or simply looking to lighten your heart, exploring what the Bible says about forgiveness can provide profound insights and encouragement. Let's dive into these timeless verses together and discover the power of letting go.

50 Bible Verses About Forgiving Others

10 Bible Verses on The Power of Forgiving Others

Matthew 6:14-15
  • "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." — Matthew 6:14-15
  • "And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses." — Mark 11:25
  • "Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." — Luke 6:37
  • "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 4:31-32
  • "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." — Colossians 3:13
  • "Then Peter came to Him and said, 'Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'" — Matthew 18:21-22
  • "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
  • "He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends." — Proverbs 17:9
  • "Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." — James 5:16
  • "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9

10 Bible Verses on Forgiving Others as God Forgives

Ephesians 4:32
  • "And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." — Ephesians 4:32
  • "Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do." — Colossians 3:13
  • "And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." — Matthew 6:12
  • "Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." — Luke 6:36-37
  • "As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." — Psalm 103:12
  • "I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins." — Isaiah 43:25
  • "Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." — Micah 7:18-19
  • "For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." — Hebrews 8:12
  • "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9
  • "So My heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses." — Matthew 18:35

10 Bible Verses on Love and Forgiving Others

1 Corinthians 13:4-5
  • "Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil." — 1 Corinthians 13:4-5
  • "And above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'" — 1 Peter 4:8
  • "Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins." — Proverbs 10:12
  • "Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another." — Romans 12:9-10
  • "This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you." — John 15:12
  • "Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God." — 1 John 4:7
  • "For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'" — Galatians 5:14
  • "With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love." — Ephesians 4:2
  • "But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection." — Colossians 3:14
  • "We love Him because He first loved us." — 1 John 4:19

10 Bible Verses on Forgiving Others for Peace

Romans 12:18
  • "If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." — Romans 12:18
  • "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord." — Hebrews 12:14
  • "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." — Matthew 5:9
  • "And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." — Philippians 4:7
  • "And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful." — Colossians 3:15
  • "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." — Romans 14:19
  • "Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace." — James 3:18
  • "Finally, brethren, farewell. Become complete. Be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." — 2 Corinthians 13:11
  • "And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves." — 1 Thessalonians 5:13
  • "You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You." — Isaiah 26:3

10 Bible Verses on Forgiving Others in Relationships

Ephesians 5:25
  • "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her." — Ephesians 5:25
  • "Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered." — 1 Peter 3:7
  • "Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them." — Colossians 3:19
  • "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." — Proverbs 15:1
  • "Let the husband render to his wife the affection due her, and likewise also the wife to her husband. The wife does not have authority over her own body, but the husband does. And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body, but the wife does." — 1 Corinthians 7:3-4
  • "Many waters cannot quench love, nor can the floods drown it. If a man would give for love all the wealth of his house, it would be utterly despised." — Song of Solomon 8:7
  • "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." — Genesis 2:24
  • "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up." — Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
  • "[Love] does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things." — 1 Corinthians 13:6-7
  • "So then, they are no longer two but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." — Matthew 19:6

What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Others

Forgiveness is a central theme in the Bible, woven through its teachings with a thread of compassion and hope. The verses provided above highlight the transformative power of forgiving others, not just for the benefit of those forgiven, but for the forgiver as well. Matthew 6:14-15 reminds us that our own forgiveness from God is intertwined with our willingness to forgive others. This reciprocal nature of forgiveness underscores its importance in our spiritual lives.

Moreover, the Bible encourages us to forgive as God forgives. Ephesians 4:32 and Colossians 3:13 both emphasize the need to be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving others just as Christ forgave us. This divine model of forgiveness calls us to rise above our grievances and extend grace, even when it feels challenging. By doing so, we mirror the boundless mercy that God shows us.

Forgiveness is also deeply connected to love and peace. 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 speaks of love's enduring and patient nature, while Romans 12:18 urges us to live peaceably with all. These verses remind us that forgiveness is an act of love that fosters harmony and understanding in our relationships. By embracing these teachings, we can cultivate a more compassionate and peaceful world, one act of forgiveness at a time.

How to Apply Forgiving Others Bible Verses in Daily Life

Applying the teachings of forgiving others in daily life can start with small, intentional steps. Begin by reflecting on any grudges or unresolved conflicts you may have. Acknowledge these feelings and make a conscious decision to let go.

Here are some actionable steps to help you practice forgiveness:

  • Pray for Guidance: Ask for strength and wisdom to forgive those who have wronged you.
  • Communicate: Reach out to the person you need to forgive and express your feelings calmly and honestly.
  • Practice Empathy: Try to understand the other person's perspective and the reasons behind their actions.
  • Release Resentment: Let go of negative emotions by focusing on positive aspects and moving forward.
  • Seek Support: Talk to a trusted friend or counselor to help you navigate the process of forgiveness.

Remember, forgiveness is a journey that takes time and effort. Be patient with yourself and others as you work towards healing and reconciliation.

Explore more prayers and Bible verses on PrayersFor or use our Bible Verse Generator to deepen your understanding and faith.

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