Bible Verses About Forgiveness
Forgiveness in the Bible flows in both directions — it's something we're given, and something we're asked to give, often in the same breath.
Ephesians 4:32
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
Our forgiveness of others is anchored to the forgiveness we've already received.
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.
A sobering, direct link — part of the Lord's Prayer itself.
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.
Forbearing — patience with people — paired directly with forgiving them.
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, not perfection, is what this verse asks for.
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.
Three parallel commands — the last one, forgiveness, framed as the way out of the first two.