Today we will talk about bible verses on forgiving others. Many Christians do not know what this means. Be on the mode of meditation as we read through God’s word. Forgiving others is one of the deepest and most freeing acts we can do. When we forgive, we follow Jesus’ example and trust God to care for justice. We do not pretend pain is not real. Instead, we choose a path that heals our hearts and opens the way for peace. As we look at these bible verses on forgiving others, let us remember we are not alone. We learn from Scripture, and we learn from one another. We will take these words slowly and let them shape how we relate to people who have hurt us. In this time, we will ask God for the strength to forgive, and we will practice kindness and patience with ourselves as we grow. May these verses guide our thoughts, warm our hearts, and help us walk forward in mercy.
bible verses on forgiving others
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ” – Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Why We Forgive — bible verses on forgiving others
We forgive because God forgave us first, and in forgiving we show the same kind of mercy. When we read bible verses on forgiving others, we see a pattern: forgiveness heals broken hearts, frees us from anger, and helps our relationships grow. Forgiveness is not weakness. It is an act of strength that says we trust God more than our hurt. We also forgive because God asks us to. As a community, we remember that holding on to wrongs keeps us tied to pain. When we forgive, we take a heavy weight off our own shoulders. We do not forget or pretend the hurt did not happen, but we decide not to carry bitterness in our daily lives. Practically, forgiving helps us sleep better, relate better to others, and become more like Jesus in how we treat people. As we reflect on bible verses on forgiving others, let us let these words move us to action. We will practice patience with others and ourselves. We will pray for help to forgive when it is hard. We will look to God’s mercy as our model. In doing this, we make space for peace and for God’s love to grow between us and others.
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15 (NIV)
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13 (NIV)
Matthew 5:44
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37 (NIV)
Forgiving as Christ Forgave Us — bible verses on forgiving others
We forgive others because Christ first forgave us. When we read bible verses on forgiving others, we see Jesus’ own life as the model. He took wrongs we did not deserve and died for our sake. That clears the way for us to show the same kind of grace to others. As a community, we say that mercy is the heart of God’s family. We will remember the quiet ways Jesus showed mercy — even to those who hurt him. This gives us courage to offer mercy even when it feels costly. Forgiving as Christ forgave us also means we do not try to earn God’s love through our good behavior. We already have it. So we forgive not to earn anything, but to reflect the love we have received. When the Bible tells us to forgive as the Lord forgave, we take it seriously. We ask for Jesus’ help when our feelings are strong. We practice forgiving step by step. This keeps our community healthy and lets God’s kindness flow from one person to another.
Luke 23:34
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” – Luke 23:34 (NIV)
Romans 5:8
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 (NIV)
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Hebrews 8:12
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12 (NIV)
The Command to Forgive — bible verses on forgiving others
We find clear commands about forgiveness in many places. When we read bible verses on forgiving others, we see that forgiving is not optional for those who follow Jesus. We are told to forgive again and again. This is because we are part of a forgiving people, and God’s family depends on mercy. We will practice forgiving as a regular part of our faith. Sometimes this is a short decision. Sometimes it is a long process. But the command helps us know what God expects of us. It is not about pretending everything is fine. It is about trusting God to set things right. We encourage one another to obey this call. We remind each other gently when we struggle. Obedience to the command to forgive grows trust and heals relationships. When we keep forgiving, we grow closer to the heart of Christ and to each other. As we follow these bible verses on forgiving others, we will lean on God for strength and wisdom in the hard moments.
Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.’ ” – Matthew 18:21-22 (NIV)
Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25 (NIV)
Luke 17:3-4
“So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.” – Luke 17:3-4 (NIV)
Matthew 6:12
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12 (NIV)
Matthew 18:35
“This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.” – Matthew 18:35 (NIV)
Forgiveness and Reconciliation — bible verses on forgiving others
We forgive because we hope for reconciliation. When we read bible verses on forgiving others, we see that God often brings people back together after honest repair work. Reconciliation is more than saying “I am sorry.” It is a process that may need time, honesty, and safe steps. We will not force reconciliation when it is unsafe, but we will look for ways to make peace where we can. The Bible shows steps to restore relationships, and these steps are gentle and wise. We will listen first, speak the truth in love, and be humble enough to admit where we were wrong. Reconciliation asks us to give space for the other person to change too. As a community, we promise to protect one another and to help each person take healing steps. We will pray for the courage to forgive and the wisdom to rebuild trust. These bible verses on forgiving others guide our actions and remind us that God loves to bring broken things back into wholeness.
Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” – Matthew 5:23-24 (NIV)
2 Corinthians 2:7-8
“Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him.” – 2 Corinthians 2:7-8 (NIV)
Matthew 18:15
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.” – Matthew 18:15 (NIV)
Galatians 6:1
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1 (NIV)
Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19 (NIV)
Forgiveness and Freedom — bible verses on forgiving others
Forgiving others sets us free. When we read bible verses on forgiving others, we see that God removes our sins and sets our hearts free from shame and anger. We forgive because holding on to pain traps us in the past. We will say yes to freedom by letting go of the hurt that chains us. This does not always mean the other person is free from consequences. It means we stop letting that wrong define our days. We will remember how God forgives us fully, and we will let that example shape our choices. Freedom through forgiveness is a gift for us. It helps our minds rest and our relationships breathe. As we practice forgiveness, we find more peace and more room for joy. These bible verses on forgiving others help us see the path from hurt to healing. We will keep asking God for help to walk that path.
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:12 (NIV)
Psalm 32:1
“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” – Psalm 32:1 (NIV)
Psalm 130:3-4
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” – Psalm 130:3-4 (NIV)
Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” – Isaiah 43:25 (NIV)
Psalm 32:5
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord’—and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5 (NIV)
Forgiveness in Community/Church — bible verses on forgiving others
Forgiveness keeps our community strong. When we read bible verses on forgiving others, we see that churches are called to be forgiving places. As a group, we hold each other up and help each person grow. We will practice kindness, patience, and humility. Forgiveness in the church means we do not hold long records of wrongs. We choose to trust God to judge fairly and to heal wounds. We will also care for people who are hurting and work gently to restore them. Sometimes that means offering a listening ear. Sometimes it means helping someone find steps back to trust. We also balance grace with truth. We must protect the vulnerable, so forgiveness is not an excuse for harm. When we follow these bible verses on forgiving others, we build a community that reflects God’s heart: tender, honest, and ready to forgive.
James 5:16
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16 (NIV)
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps
Further Reading
30 Bible Verses About Getting Closer To God (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Removing People From Your Life (With Commentary)
30 Bible Verses About Israel (With Explanation)
30 Bible Verses About Being Lukewarm (With Explanation)
4 Ways to Encounter Grace and Truth: A Study on John, Chapter 4
Bible Commentary, Blog
30 Important bible verses about selflessness (With Explanation)