Bible Verses About Forgiveness -- Where to Find Forgiveness in the Bible

Moments will occur in our lives when we struggle with forgiveness, whether it is forgiving someone who has wronged us or allowing us to forgive ourselves for things we've done in our past.

While it is not always easy, understanding how God sees forgiveness through scripture will help us better understand why we should practice forgiveness of ourselves and others.

Read on to discover dozens of Bible verses about forgiveness and know that God will reward those who are willing to forgive and love those who wrong you.

Biblical Encouragement for Forgiveness

Proverbs 17:9: Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.

Luke 7:47: ...But a person who is forgiven little shows only little love.

Luke 17:3-4: "If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.⁴Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.

Mark 11:24-25: I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. ¹⁵But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.

Luke 6:37: Do not judge others, and you will not be judged.  Do not condem others, or it will all come back against you.  Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.

Matthew 6:14-15: If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. ¹⁵But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.

How We Are Forgiven

Exodus 34:7: I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generation.  I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.

Ephesians 1:7: He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of the Son and forgave our sins.

Colossians 1:13-14: For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear son, ¹⁴who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins.

Colossians 2:13: You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.

Psalm 78:37-39: Their hearts were not loyal to him. They did not keep his covenant. ³⁸Yet, he was merciful and forgave their sins and did not destroy them all. Many times he held back his anger and did not unleash his fury! ³⁹For he remembered that they were merely mortal, gone like a breath of wind that never returns.

Psalm 86:5: O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

Isaiah 55:7: Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.  Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.  Yes, turn to God, for he will forgive generously.

Jeremiah 31:34: "...And I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins."

Hosea 14:2: Bring your confessions, and return to the Lord.  Say to him, "Forgive all our sins and graciously receive us so that we may offer you our praises."

Matthew 6:11-12: (From the Lord's Prayer) Give us this day our daily bread, ¹²And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive them that trespass against us.

Matthew 26:27-28: And he took a cup of wine and gave thanks to God for it. He gave it to them and said, "Each of your drink from it, ²⁸for this is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people.  It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many."

1 John 1:9: But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.

Romans 4:7: Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight.