Biblical Forgiveness: According to the Bible 2025

Not often do we consider what Biblical forgiveness means in the context of our relationships until we are confronted with a situation that requires us to practice it. Forgiveness is one of those acts we seldom prepare our hearts for in advance; instead, we often respond instinctively to the hurt and pain caused by others. In those moments, many of us might find that we don’t fully understand what forgiving someone actually entails.

What is God’s rule on forgiveness?

In Ephesians 4:32, it says, “Be kind to each other, have compassion, and forgive each other, just as God forgave you in Christ.” Also, Colossians 3:13 says, “bear with each other and forgive each other if you have a complaint against another; because the Lord has mercy on you, so you must forgive.”

Common Misunderstandings of Forgiveness

Saying “I’m sorry” and moving on as if nothing happened might be enough for many people to forget. Some people might try to forget about the crime or act like it wasn’t a big deal. To make sense of the harm, we might tell ourselves things like, “My friend didn’t mean to make fun of my career choice” or “They probably weren’t trying to hurt me.” People often act this way because they don’t know how to truly forgive. We think that ignoring or putting off the pain is enough to fix the connection. But is that what the Bible tells us to do when we need to forgive?

How Much It Costs to Forgive

When you forgive someone, it always costs you something. To forgive someone, you have to really understand how wrong they did to you. In this case, it means naming the hurt and paying close attention to it, but still choosing to show grace. Forgiveness doesn’t make the harm go away; it just brings it to light while still showing kindness.

The best example of Biblical mercy is Jesus. This is forgiveness that is real, hard, and expensive. On the cross, He gave up everything that people naturally hold on to, including their identity, safety, love, safety, and even life itself. How can we ever really understand what it means to forgive if the Cross is the point?

To Love and Forgive

“I don’t know the first thing about love” is a favorite song line. This line really hits home because it talks about how deep and complicated love is. In the same way, Biblical forgiveness is not just a choice; it is a deep act of love that is done on purpose. We might not be able to forgive deeply if we are by ourselves. But because of God, we have the power to show kindness, even when things are rough.

“Lord, how many times will my brother sin against me, and I will forgive him?” Peter asks Jesus in Matthew 18:21–22. Seven times or more?” He then says, “I don’t say this seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Jesus wants us to forgive everyone, and this huge number shows how much this means. Most of us find it hard to forgive even once when we feel really hurt. That being said, why does the Bible call us to such a high standard of grace?

Being honest and forgiving

Jesus is the key to learning how to forgive in the Bible. During His mission, He never shied away from talking about sin. He told people what they were doing wrong and reprimanded them for it. He didn’t stop there, though. Jesus told them they were valuable and showed them how to be saved by telling them over and over, “Go and sin no more.” Forgiving someone, you need to find this balance between truth and kindness. To really forgive, we need to be honest about what we’re letting go of. We can’t look away from the pain or put up with the harm.

Tales of Forgiving People Without Limits

Some of the most powerful examples of Biblical forgiveness come from people who decided to forgive even though they had lost a lot. Think about people who forgive the person who killed a loved one or prisoners who were wrongly charged and convicted of crimes they did not commit. Most of the time, these people choose to accept not because it is simple, but because it changes them. Their stories tell us that forgiving someone doesn’t mean forgetting what they did wrong. Forgiving someone sets them free from the chains of anger.

What the Bible Says About Forgiveness

To practice Biblical forgiveness, you need to start with the Bible. It shows that forgiving someone doesn’t mean ignoring their pain or acting like the wrong did not happen. Instead, it’s about telling the truth, being kind, and believing that God will fix what’s broken. As Jesus showed on the cross, forgiving someone costs a lot, but it also frees you. We are called to forgive many times, just like He did, so that our relationships reflect His boundless love and kindness.

As you have been forgiven, so will you forgive others. I believe that you can only truly forgive someone after being hurt so badly if you first know how much God has forgiven you. Before we can understand what debt we have been forgiven when we earned it the least, we need to know what grace, love, and mercy were shown for us on the cross.

Say “I forgive you” when someone hurts you

We can heal broken relationships and lead others to the heart of the Gospel when we choose to forgive as God has forgiven us. Forgiveness shows how powerful God is at changing things and how much He loves us no matter what. Biblically, forgiving others is both a duty and an honor. It lets us show others the kindness we have received and do so in a way that honors God and shows His kingdom.

What Biblical Forgiveness Is Based On

The only way to truly forgive others according to the Bible is to fully understand how much God has forgiven us. Understanding the grace, love, and forgiveness shown to us on the cross is the only way to understand how much of our sin has been forgiven, even though we are completely unworthy.

Reading the Bible tells us over and over that we should “forgive as we have been forgiven.” Ephesians 4:32 tells us to “be kind to each other, have tender hearts, and forgive each other, just as God forgave you.” In the same way, Colossians 3:13 says, “bear with each other and forgive each other if you have a complaint against another; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive.”

To forgive is to obey the Gospel and show that you follow it

This idea is taken even further in Matthew 6:14–15, which says that forgiving others is necessary for our connection with God: “Because if you forgive others when they sin against you, your Father in heaven will forgive you.” That being said, “Your Father will not forgive your sins if you do not forgive other people their sins.” This text emphasizes how important forgiveness is in the life of a Christian. It makes it clear that forgiveness is not a choice but a must for understanding and living out the Gospel.

It’s important to remember, though, that this verse doesn’t say we should forgive others just so we can get our own forgiveness. It would go against the commandment to “love your neighbor as yourself” to forgive for such selfish reasons. Forgiveness, on the other hand, is an act of thanksgiving and duty that shows how merciful God is. This shows that we know what the Gospel is and how it can change our lives.

Biblical forgiveness shows how much God loves us

One of the most powerful ways we can show others God’s love and bring His rule to the world is to forgive them. Luke 6:32 calls us to think: “What good is it for you to love those who love you?” Because even bad people love those who love them. The Bible makes a distinction between holy love and human love that is self-serving. In it, a love that is based on grace and redemption is shown, one that goes beyond physical gain or emotional satisfaction.

{Related:- Powerful Forgiveness Prayers 2025 }

Prepare your heart

The culture of prisons really interests me, especially the many stories of men and women who become religious and have huge changes in their lives. When someone accepts Jesus into their heart, they are changed. God gives you a new identity, and that gives you the power to forgive, love, and help others in ways that are beyond what humans can do. At the heart of Biblical Forgiveness is this process of change, which doesn’t depend on our own limited strength but on the limitless power of God working in us. This is possible because of the power of the Holy Spirit, which is beyond what our brains can understand.

When I think about prison life, it’s not a surprise that places with so few things often help people heal deeply on a mental and physical level. People are forced to face their deepest thoughts, intentions, and sins while they are in jail. People who are forced to think about themselves often realize how bad they are and, more importantly, how much grace and Biblical forgiveness are available through the Cross of Jesus Christ. When they truly understand this forgiveness, it changes them completely and makes them new people in Christ.

Forgiveness is not something we can do by ourselves. It is a divine act of love that costs a lot, and it needs us to first stay in God’s love. We can only show kindness to others if we understand how He showed it to us. Biblically, to be forgiven, you need to have a heart that is ready, one that is full of prayer and open to the love of the Father.

If we try to forgive someone by our own strength without being rooted in God’s love, we will fail. It’s easy to forgive people we care about, but it takes spiritual strength to forgive people who hurt or hate us. Christ is the only one who has that kind of strength. Biblical forgiveness is both beautiful and difficult because it is more than just an action; it is a powerful sign of God’s power to change us.

Being a Christian requires you to forgive

Jesus portrays being a Christian, or a “follower of Christ,” as a lifestyle that will undoubtedly result in many instances of others wronging you. He promises, “You will be hated for my name’s sake” (Matthew 10:22), and if we are, He declares us blessed! He informs us that if we follow Christ, we will face many difficulties, many of which we will likely consider “unfair” and undeserved.

Personally, I know I struggle with this since it’s so easy to feel entitled to my comfortable, happy, and social lifestyle. It’s easy to imagine and feel that anything else than others like or accepting me is harsh! However, if we are living and dwelling in Christ, the world is not excited about it. Instead, they will most certainly destroy our ego, identity, and faith, as they did to Jesus Himself.

However, Jesus teaches us how to deal with being wronged in Romans 12:17-19, which states, “Repay no one evil for evil.” Have regard for good in the eyes of all men. If possible, live peacefully with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give in to fury; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” declares the Lord.

He teaches us that the antithesis of forgiveness, vengeance, is not ours to own, but rather the Lord’s. As Christians and simply as people, we may expect to be wronged on several occasions. To forgive, however, is to show others the mercy that we have received from God.

My Real-Life Experience

A few years ago, I had a falling out with a good friend who said something profoundly unpleasant regarding a life decision I had made. At first, I tried to dismiss it, telling myself they didn’t mean it, but the hurt persisted. It wasn’t until I confronted the hurt honestly that I realized what forgiveness truly meant. It wasn’t about ignoring the pain or moving on quickly.

it was about acknowledging the wound and choosing grace in spite of it. I prayed for strength and recalled Jesus’ example on the cross, when He forgave those who had harmed Him. Slowly, I let go of my anger, and something remarkable happened: I felt free. Forgiving wasn’t simply about repairing our friendship; it was also about healing my heart and learning to trust God’s ability to restore even the most profound hurts.

Conclusion

Biblical forgiveness is not easy, but it is transformational. It asks us to face the sorrow honestly, accept the cost, and rely on God’s grace to show mercy. Forgiveness is more than just a deed; it is a heavenly call to reflect the love and grace we have received from Christ. When we forgive, we are not only keeping God’s laws, but also allowing His love to work through us, restoring broken relationships and demonstrating the power of the Gospel. True forgiveness liberates both the giver and the receiver, reminding us that grace is the foundation of our religion. As we experience God’s forgiveness, may we be empowered to forgive others, providing hope and healing to those in need.

FAQs

Q.1 What is forgiveness according to the Bible?

Ans:- God forgave us, so we forgive others. Jesus instructed us to pray to the Father, “Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors” (Matthew 6:12). Forgiveness, like God, involves no longer holding sin against the individual who has sinned against you.

Q.2 What Jesus says about forgiveness?

Ans:- Jesus said, “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Mt 6:14). Peter asked Jesus how often it is required to forgive, and Jesus replied, “Seventy-seven times” (Mt 18:22), a number should be interpreted metaphorically, rather than literally, as the never-ending method that we should forgive.

Q.3 What are the three types of forgiveness in the Bible?

Ans:- Exoneration, Forbearance, Release.