Forgiveness is a powerful and transformative gift. In the Bible, forgiveness is a recurring theme that offers a path to healing and renewal. This collection of Bible verses about forgiveness serves as a reminder of the grace we receive and the grace we are called to extend to others.
Each verse speaks to the heart, encouraging us to let go of past hurts and embrace the freedom that comes with forgiving. Whether we seek forgiveness or need to forgive, these verses offer guidance and comfort.
Let these Bible verses inspire you to forgive, heal, and find peace in God’s boundless mercy.
The scriptures used in this blog post are from the New International Version Bible.
Understanding the forgiveness of sins through Biblical teachings
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Ephesians 1:7
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Micah 7:18-19
Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.
Romans 8:1
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 43:25
I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.
Psalm 65:3
When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave our transgressions.
Acts 13:38-39
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses.
Hebrews 10:18
And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary.
Daniel 9:9
The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against him.
The connection between forgiveness and repentance in scripture
Acts 2:38
Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 18:21-23
But if a wicked person turns away from all the sins they have committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, that person will surely live; they will not die. None of the offenses they have committed will be remembered against them. Because of the righteous things they have done, they will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Sovereign Lord. Rather, am I not pleased when they turn from their ways and live?
Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
Acts 17:30
In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
Proverbs 28:13
Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
Joel 2:13
Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity.
Hosea 14:2
Take words with you and return to the Lord. Say to him: “Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips.”
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The Biblical approach to forgiveness and letting go of past hurts
Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Philippians 3:13-14
Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.
Luke 6:37
Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.
Achieving forgiveness and reconciliation
2 Corinthians 5:18-19
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
1 Peter 3:8
Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.
Luke 17:3-4
If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.
Romans 5:10
For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!
Acts 10:43
All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Psalm 32:5
Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Exploring forgiveness and redemption
Romans 3:24-25
And all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished.
Colossians 1:13-14
For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
Titus 2:14
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.
Galatians 3:13
Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us.
1 Corinthians 1:30
It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.
Hebrews 9:12
He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.
Revelation 5:9
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
Matthew 26:28
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
The concept of forgiveness and second chances in the Bible
Jonah 3:10
When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.
Lamentations 3:22-23
Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
Acts 3:19
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Psalm 86:5
You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.
Hebrews 8:12
For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.
Luke 5:20
When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”
Navigating forgiveness in a relationship according to Biblical principles
Ephesians 4:32
Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Matthew 5:23-24
Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
Proverbs 17:9
Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Understanding forgiveness and mercy through Jesus’ teachings
Matthew 5:7
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Luke 6:36
Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
Matthew 9:13
But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Ephesians 2:4-5
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
1 Timothy 1:16
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.
Psalm 103:8
The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.
Titus 3:5
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
1 John 2:12
I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
The role of forgiveness and love in building stronger bonds
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Peter 4:8
Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
Colossians 3:14
And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Ephesians 4:2-3
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Proverbs 10:12
Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
The importance of forgiveness and overcoming grudges
Hebrews 12:15
See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
Leviticus 19:18
Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the Lord.
Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Proverbs 20:22
Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!” Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.
1 Peter 3:9
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
Managing anger and forgiveness: Biblical strategies for inner peace
Ephesians 4:26-27
In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.
James 1:19-20
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Colossians 3:8
But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.
Proverbs 19:11
A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Ecclesiastes 7:9
Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.
Psalm 37:8
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
Proverbs 14:29
Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.
How forgiveness and healing are related
James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
Isaiah 53:5
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Matthew 9:6
“But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” So he said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, take your mat and go home.”
Psalm 103:2-3
Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
A Prayer for Forgiveness
Heavenly Father,
I come before you with a humble heart, recognizing my need for your boundless mercy. You see the depths of my soul and the ways I have fallen short of your glory.
Grant me the grace to truly repent and the humility to seek your forgiveness. Cleanse my heart, O Lord, that I may be purified from all unrighteousness and restored to the path of your righteousness.
Fill me with your loving kindness, reminding me of your endless compassion and unwavering love. Let your mercy wash over me, renewing my spirit and giving me the strength to turn away from sin.
Lord, help me to forgive myself as you forgive me, and to extend that forgiveness to others. Heal the wounds I have caused and mend the brokenness in my relationships, that I may live in peace and harmony with those around me.
In Jesus’ name, I pray,
Amen
