Why Should Christians Forgive Others?
Why Should Christians Forgive Others? Jesus commands forgiveness because God has forgiven believers an unpayable debt — refusing to forgive contradicts the gospel and imprisons the unforgiving heart.
Key verse: Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
Jesus commands forgiveness because God has forgiven believers an unpayable debt — refusing to forgive contradicts the gospel and imprisons the unforgiving heart.
Jesus commands forgiveness because God has forgiven believers an unpayable debt — refusing to forgive contradicts the gospel and imprisons the unforgiving heart.
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." — Ephesians 4:32 (KJV)
Meaning
Plain-language explanation
In Context
Surrounding KJV scripture
Related Verses
Cross-reference scriptures
The Biblical Answer
Forgiveness is not optional for Christians — it is a direct command from Jesus. In the Lord's Prayer, He taught, 'forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' (Matthew 6:12), then added, 'if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses' (Matthew 6:15). When Peter asked if forgiving seven times was sufficient, Jesus said, 'seventy times seven' (Matthew 18:22) — meaning without limit. He then told the parable of a servant forgiven a massive debt who refused to forgive a fellow servant's small debt. The master was furious: 'shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?' (Matthew 18:33). Forgiveness does not mean condoning wrong, forgetting the offense, or avoiding boundaries. It means releasing the desire for revenge and trusting God with justice. Ephesians 4:32 summarizes: 'forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.' Unforgiveness is a prison; forgiveness sets the prisoner free.
Topic Overview
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiveness?
What the Bible teaches about forgiving others, receiving God's forgiveness, and letting go of bitterness.
Key Scripture References
"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
"Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven."
"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Related Questions
What does the Bible say about forgiveness?
The Bible teaches that God freely forgives those who repent and that believers must forgive others as they have been forgiven — not seven times, but seventy times seven.
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible teaches that God is love, that He demonstrated love by sending His Son, and that love for God and neighbor is the greatest commandment.
What Does the Bible Say About Revenge?
The Bible explicitly forbids personal revenge, declaring 'Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord' (Romans 12:19).
What Does the Bible Say About Love?
The Bible defines love not as a feeling but as a sacrificial choice — modeled perfectly by God's gift of His Son.
How Do You Forgive Others According to the Bible?
Biblical forgiveness means releasing bitterness and choosing not to hold someone's offense against them — just as God in Christ forgave us.
Deep Dive Commentary
For a more in-depth study, read our verse-by-verse commentary:
Related Reading
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Read it in context
The answer above sits inside Ephesians. The 365-day chronological plan reads it in the order the events happened.
Read Ephesians on day 339 of the chronological Bible reading planKeep the verses to hand
Every verse quoted in “Why Should Christians Forgive Others?” comes from the King James Version, free to download and print.
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