Bible verses about forgiveness

In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace

Ephesians 1:7

Paul reminds the church in Ephesus that forgiveness comes through Christ’s blood and is measured by the riches of God’s grace, not by how well we have done.

But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 5:8

Paul tells the Romans that Christ died for us while we were still sinners, so God’s love never waited for anyone to clean themselves up first.

for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.

Ephesians 2:8–9

Paul says salvation is God’s gift, received through faith and not earned by works, so forgiveness is something you receive with open hands rather than pay for.

He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor repaid us for our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is his loving kindness toward those who fear him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

Psalm 103:10–12

David praises God for not treating his people as their sins deserve, and the distance of east from west shows how completely he removes the sins of those who fear him.

I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

Psalm 32:5

David describes how hiding his sin wore him down (Psalm 32:3–4), and how relief came when he stopped covering it and confessed it to the LORD.

Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.

Psalm 51:1–2

David prayed this after the prophet Nathan confronted him over Bathsheba, and it gives words to anyone who needs to ask God for mercy without making excuses.

“Come now, and let’s reason together,” says the LORD: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Isaiah 1:18

Through Isaiah, God called rebellious Judah to stop doing evil and come back to him (Isaiah 1:16–17), and scarlet made white pictures the cleansing he offers those who return.

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

1 John 1:9

John writes to believers that bringing our sins into the open before God, rather than hiding them, is how we receive the forgiveness and cleansing he has promised.

He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.

Luke 15:20

In Jesus’ parable of the lost son, the father runs to embrace his son while he is still far off, before the son can say a word, a picture of God welcoming those who come home.

And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 4:32

Paul tells believers to forgive each other the way God in Christ forgave them, so forgiving others flows out of what you have already received.

Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven.

Matthew 18:21–22

When Peter asked if seven times was enough, Jesus answered with a number meant to stop the counting, then told the parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:23–35).

For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 6:14–15

Right after teaching the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus warns that a heart that refuses to forgive has not grasped God’s mercy; forgiving others doesn’t earn forgiveness, it shows we have received it.

If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”

Romans 12:18–19

Paul admits that peace is not always possible and depends partly on the other person, and he tells believers to leave justice to God instead of repaying the harm themselves.

There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus

Romans 8:1

After describing the struggle with sin (Romans 7:15–25), Paul declares that those who belong to Christ Jesus no longer stand condemned before God.

And by this we know that we are of the truth and persuade our hearts before him, because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

1 John 3:19–20

John writes to believers whose own hearts accuse them, reminding them that God is greater than their feelings of guilt and knows all things.

“I will remember their sins and their iniquities no more.”

Hebrews 10:17

Quoting God’s new covenant promise from Jeremiah 31:34, Hebrews says that because of Christ’s one sacrifice, God does not keep bringing up sins he has forgiven.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away. Behold, all things have become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Paul tells the Corinthians that anyone in Christ is a new creation, so what you did is real, but it is no longer the truest thing about you.