The Bible ties God's forgiveness of us to our forgiving others (Matthew 6:14-15; Ephesians 4:32). God promises to forgive those who confess (1 John 1:9) and to remove sins "as far as the east is from the west" (Psalm 103:12). Jesus taught forgiveness "seventy times seven" (Matthew 18:21-22).
Forgiveness is both a gift we receive and a practice we extend. These twelve King James passages show God's mercy toward sinners and His call to forgive one another.
God forgives us
1. 1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Confession is met with faithfulness: God forgives and cleanses from all unrighteousness. Forgiveness rests on His character, not our perfection.
2. Psalms 103:12
"As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us."
A picture of complete removal: as far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
3. Isaiah 1:18
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
God invites reason and repentance: sins like scarlet can be made white as snow. Mercy is offered even to the deeply stained.
4. Isaiah 43:25
"I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins."
God blots out transgressions "for mine own sake" and will not remember sins. Forgiveness starts with Him.
5. Micah 7:18-19
"Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity? He delights in mercy and casts sins into the depths of the sea.
Forgive one another
6. Ephesians 4:32
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Be kind and tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God for Christ's sake forgave you. The standard is God's own forgiveness.
7. Colossians 3:13
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Forbear and forgive as Christ forgave you. Paul assumes there will be quarrels; grace is the answer.
8. Matthew 6:14-15
"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 receiving and extending forgiveness. An unforgiving heart resists the mercy it asks for.
9. Matthew 18:21-22
"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."
Peter suggests seven times; Jesus answers seventy times seven: ongoing mercy, not a short tally.
Letting go and turning back
10. Mark 11:25
"And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses."
When you stand praying, forgive. Prayer and unresolved bitterness do not belong together.
11. Luke 6:37
"Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven:"
Judge not, condemn not, forgive: Jesus ties the measure we use toward others to the mercy we receive.
12. Acts 3:19
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;"
Peter calls hearers to repent and be converted, that sins may be blotted out. Forgiveness and turning to God go together.
A short prayer
Father, thank You for forgiving me in Christ. Search my heart for bitterness. Help me forgive as I have been forgiven, and give me courage to confess where I have sinned. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the best Bible verse about forgiveness?
Ephesians 4:32, Matthew 6:14-15, 1 John 1:9, and Psalm 103:12 are among the most shared.
How many times does the Bible say to forgive?
In Matthew 18:21-22 Jesus tells Peter to forgive not seven times, but seventy times seven: a picture of ongoing forgiveness.
Does the Bible say "forgive and forget"?
Not in those exact words. Psalm 103:12 and Isaiah 43:25 describe God removing and not remembering sins. Believers are called to forgive as God forgave them (Ephesians 4:32).
What Bible verse is about God forgiving our sins?
1 John 1:9: if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
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