Scripture calls us to forgive because God forgave us in Christ; Jesus connects our forgiveness of others with forgiveness from the Father and teaches us to forgive without limit. Forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoring trust are not the same thing: Scripture calls forgiveness everyone’s duty, while being at peace with others depends on what is possible (“if it is possible, as far as it depends on you”).
What does the Bible say about this?
- If you forgive people when they sin against you, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive, He will not forgive you (Matthew 6:14–15).
- We must forgive without limit (Matthew 18:21–22); the parable of the unforgiving debtor shows that a person forgiven by God must forgive others from the heart (Matthew 18:23–35).
- When you stand praying, forgive if you hold anything against anyone (Mark 11:25).
- Put away irritation, anger, and malice, and forgive one another, just as God in Christ forgave you (Ephesians 4:31–32; Colossians 3:13).
- Scripture calls us not to repay evil for evil, not to take revenge, to leave room for God’s wrath, and to overcome evil with good; “if it is possible, as far as it depends on you,” live at peace with everyone (Romans 12:17–21).
- If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him (Luke 17:3–4).
- Conclusion: forgiveness, reconciliation, and restoring trust are distinct. Forgiveness means renouncing revenge and bitterness and releasing the debt; reconciliation also requires the other person; trust is usually restored gradually. Scripture does not require us to restore trust immediately.
- Application: forgiveness does not mean calling evil good, denying the harm caused, or remaining in a dangerous situation. This is an application of principles, not the direct wording of Scripture.
The brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the verse texts are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
Key Scripture Passages
8 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
Matthew 6:14–15
14 For if you forgive people their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you; 15 but if you do not forgive people their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:21–35
21 Then Peter came to Him and said, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Up to seven times? 22 Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. 23 Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants; 24 and when he had begun to settle accounts, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents; 25 but since he had nothing with which to repay, his master commanded that he, his wife, his children, and everything he had be sold, and payment made; 26 then the servant fell down before him and said, Master, have patience with me, and I will repay you everything. 27 The master of that servant, moved with compassion, released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But that servant went out and found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, Pay me what you owe. 29 Then his fellow servant fell at his feet, pleaded with him, and said, Have patience with me, and I will repay you everything. 30 But he would not, and went and had him thrown into prison until he should repay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and told their master everything that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, Wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you? 34 And in anger, his master delivered him to the torturers until he should repay all that he owed. 35 So My Heavenly Father will also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart for his trespasses.
Mark 11:25
And when you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Heavenly Father may also forgive you your trespasses.
Ephesians 4:31–32
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking, along with all malice, be removed from you; 32 but be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God in Christ forgave you.
Colossians 3:13
bearing with one another and forgiving each other, if anyone has a complaint against another; just as the Lord forgave you, so you also must forgive.
Romans 12:17–21
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but pursue what is good in the sight of all people. 18 If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written: “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” says the Lord. 20 Therefore, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on his head. 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Luke 17:3–4
3 Watch yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. 4 And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, “I repent,” forgive him.
Luke 23:34
Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.” And they divided His garments by casting lots.
Related Questions
- How can I receive God’s forgiveness?
- What is repentance?
- How should I pray correctly?
- How should I treat my enemies? Is revenge permissible?
- What does the Bible say about anger?
