When we are hurt by others, especially those who are close to us, choosing the path of forgiveness can be extremely difficult. The top Bible verses about forgiveness that show us how God, our loving Heavenly Father, has forgiven us for all of our sins and trespasses, and how he instructs us to do the same to those who have sinned against us and hurt us.
Top Bible Verses About Forgiveness + Forgiveness Tool
Forgiving and being forgiven are two names for the same thing. The important thing is that a discord has been resolved. ~ C.S. Lewis
Below are the top Bible verses about forgiveness. Some of these scriptures are Jesus’ instructions on how we are suppose to forgive others who have harmed us and some of these scriptures are a great reminder of how God has forgiven us and continues to forgive us and restores our relationship with him. Let these Bible verses about forgiveness encourage you to always choose love and forgive those around us, even when it seems they don’t deserve it. Also while you are reading these Bible verses about forgiveness, allow for Holy Spirit to be speaking to you about those you may need to forgive and be sure to check out the bonus forgiveness tool at the end!
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Forgiveness From God
We can learn a lot about forgiveness by simply looking at how God forgives us for our sins. Whether you may be feeling guilt from sins you have committed in the past, or perhaps you gave into temptation and have sinned again. Let these Bible verses be a reminder to you that there is nothing that can separate you from the love of God and that He loved all of us so much that he was willing to sacrifice His only son, to die on a cross, so that you might have everlasting life! Not only did God love you that much, Jesus loves you as well! He chose to come down and live on this earth as a human, to leave heaven, and be submitted to temptations and bear a cross for us and ultimately die for us, for our all of our sins, even before we committed them. Perhaps you know someone who is struggling with not feeling forgiven by God, us these Bible verses to encourage them and remind them of how much God loves 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. – 1 John 1:9 (New King James Version)
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (New American Standard Bible)
Colossians 1:13-14
For He has rescued us and has drawn us to Himself from the dominion of darkness, and has transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption [because of His sacrifice, resulting in] the forgiveness of our sins [and the cancellation of sins’ penalty]. – Colossians 1:13-14 (Amplified Bible)
Acts 3:19
Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away. – Acts 3:19 (New Living Translation)
Psalm 19:12
Who can discern his errors? Declare me innocent from hidden faults. – Psalm 19:12 (English Standard Version)
Ephesians 1:7
In Him we have redemption [that is, our deliverance and salvation] through His blood, [which paid the penalty for our sin and resulted in] the forgiveness and complete pardon of our sin, in accordance with the riches of His grace. – Ephesians 1:7 (Amplified Bible)
Luke 23:34
Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” And the soldiers gambled for his clothes by throwing dice. – Luke 23:34 (New Living Translation)
Acts 10:43
“Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” – Acts 10:43 (New American Standard Bible)
Micah 7:18-19
Where is another God like you, who pardons the guilt of the remnant, overlooking the sins of his special people? You will not stay angry with your people forever, because you delight in showing unfailing love. Once again you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the ocean! – Micah 7:18-19 (New Living Translation)
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool. – Isaiah 1:18 (English Standard Version)
Psalm 103:12
As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. – Psalm 103:12 (New International Version)
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. – Acts 2:38 (New King James Version)
Daniel 9:9
To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him. – Daniel 9:9 (New King James Version)
Matthew 26:27-28
And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, “Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. – Matthew 26:27-28 (English Standard Version)
Acts 26:17-18
‘And I will rescue you from both your own people and the Gentiles. Yes, I am sending you to the Gentiles to open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God. Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people, who are set apart by faith in me.’ – Acts 26:17-18 (New Living Translation)
Hebrews 10:17-18
Then he says, “I will never again remember their sins and lawless deeds.” And when sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices. – Hebrews 10:17-18 (New Living Translation)
2 Chronicles 7:14
If my own people will humbly pray and turn back to me and stop sinning, then I will answer them from heaven. I will forgive them and make their land fertile once again. – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (Contemporary English Version)
Psalm 86:5
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you. – Psalm 86:5 (English Standard Version)
Acts 13:38-39
“Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.” – Acts 13:38-39 (New Living Translation)
1 John 2:2
And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. – 1 John 2:2 (New American Standard Bible)
Joel 2:13
“And rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster. – Joel 2:13 (English Standard Version)
Psalm 32:5
I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah. – Psalm 32:5 (New American Standard Bible)
2 Chronicles 30:9
“For if you return to the Lord, your relatives and your children will be treated mercifully by their captors, and they will be able to return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful. If you return to him, he will not continue to turn his face from you.” – 2 Chronicles 30:9 (New Living Translation)
Forgiving Others
Use the above verses about how God forgives us as a reminder of how we are suppose to give others. Jesus Christ was the ultimate and perfect model on how we should live our lives, and while it may be hard at times, He calls us to forgive others as He has forgiven us! Let these Bible verses about forgiveness be a blessing to your spirit and soul. Let them inspire you to forgive those who have hurt your and help you also receive forgiveness for things you have done.
Matthew 6:14-15
For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. – Matthew 6:14-15 (English Standard Version)
Colossians 3:12-13
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. – Colossians 3:12-13 (New Living Translation)
Luke 17:3-4
Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.” – Luke 17:3-4 (New American Standard Bible)
Ephesians 4:31-32
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. – Ephesians 4:31-32 (English Standard Version)
Mark 11:25
Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions. – Mark 11:25 (New American Standard Bible)
Matthew 5:23-24
“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.” – Matthew 5:23-24 (New Living Translation)
James 5:14-16
Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. – James 5:14-16 (New American Standard Bible)
Proverbs 17:9
He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love, But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends. – Proverbs 17:9 (Amplified Bible)
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven. – Luke 6:37 (New Living Translation)
Proverbs 28:13
People who conceal their sins will not prosper, but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy. – Proverbs 28:13 (New Living Translation)
Matthew 18:21-22
Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! – Matthew 18:21-22 (New Living Translation)
2 Corinthians 2:5-8
But if any has caused sorrow, he has caused sorrow not to me, but in some degree—in order not to say too much—to all of you. Sufficient for such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the majority, so that on the contrary you should rather forgive and comfort him, otherwise such a one might be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. Wherefore I urge you to reaffirm your love for him. – 2 Corinthians 2:5-8 (New American Standard Bible)
1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 (Contemporary English Version)
John 8:7
And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.” – John 8:7 (English Standard Version)
Galatians 6:1-2
Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ. – Galatians 6:1-2 (New Living Translation)
Forgiveness Tool
True forgiveness goes beyond simply forgiving someone for their behavior and they wrong they did. Forgiveness involves forgiving someone for all of the hurt and pain they have caused, as well as the effects of those hurts in your life. This forgiveness tool is from Nothing Hidden Ministries and Barry & Lori Byrne. Use this tool to forgive those who have hurt you and to allow Holy Spirit to bring you freedom and healing.
Find a nice quite space, spend some time alone, put on some worship music or instrumental music and invite the Holy Spirit to come and speak to you directly about who you need to forgive and what you need to forgive them for. Count on the Holy Spirit to release discernment to you, beyond your own understanding during this process. Step out, take a risk and watch what Holy Spirit will do with these following steps.
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Father God, thank you for forgiving me for all my sins. Because of your forgiveness, I also forgive (person’s name).
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(Person’s name), I forgive you for the lies the enemy brought to me as a result of your actions or words.
Listen to Holy Spirit and say the lies that come to your mind As they come in each of these categories below:
Lies about:
Myself (name the lies about yourself)
My relationships (name the lies about you relationships)
My view of men/women (name the lies about this)
My view of marriage (name the lies about marriage)
My view of motherhood/fatherhood (name the lies here)
My view of God (name the lies about God)
Other (name any other lies)
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(Person’s name), I forgive you for bringing fear into my life.
For example: Fear of intimacy, failure, being alone, death, not being enough, fear of man… these are just some examples. Listen to what Holy Spirit is saying about this situation. List out all of the fears, until you feel you have them all listed out.
Fear of _____________
Fear of _____________
Fear of _____________
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(Person’s name), I forgive you for opening the door to:
For example: Anger, self-hatred, passivity, accusation, feelings of worthlessness, shame, self-protection, sexual perversion, shutting down, depression, the occult… these are just some examples. Listen to what Holy Spirit is saying to you. List everything out about this situation.
Opening the door to _____________
Opening the door to _____________
Opening the door to _____________
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(Person’s name), I forgive you for the lack of:
For example: Protection, love, nurturing, relationship, knowing me, affection, attention, care, stability, etc…. these are just some examples. Listen to what Holy Spirit is saying about this situation.
Lack of _____________
Lack of _____________
Lack of _____________
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(Person’s name), I forgive you for all of the pain and suffering that I’ve had to deal with [throughout my life] because of what you did.
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Pray and bless the person you just forgave.