Forgive (Aphiēmi)
ἀφίημι (aphiēmi)
To release, let go, or send away — canceling a debt and setting the offender free.
Aphiēmi is the Greek word for forgive, meaning 'to send away' or 'to release.' Biblical forgiveness is the deliberate cancellation of a debt — choosing to release an offender from the obligation their wrongdoing created.
"For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." — Matthew 6:14 (KJV)
Key Verses
Matthew 6:14
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”Read in context
Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”Read in context
Colossians 3:13
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”Read in context
Strong's Concordance
Strong's G863 — Forgive (Aphiēmi) (ἀφίημι (aphiēmi))
Browse the full lexicon entry and every KJV verse where ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) appears.
Open Strong's G863Etymology and Original Meaning
Aphiēmi combines apo ('away from') and hiēmi ('to send'), meaning 'to send away.' It was used for canceling debts, releasing prisoners, and divorcing (sending away). When applied to sin, it pictures God taking the record of our wrongdoing and sending it away — releasing us from the penalty, the guilt, and the power of past offenses.
God's Forgiveness
God's forgiveness is radical and complete. He removes sins 'as far as the east is from the west' (Psalm 103:12). He casts them into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19). He remembers them no more (Hebrews 8:12). Divine forgiveness is not pretending the offense didn't happen but bearing its cost and choosing to release the offender. The cross is where forgiveness becomes possible.
The Call to Forgive Others
Jesus ties our forgiveness to our willingness to forgive: 'If ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you' (Matthew 6:14). The parable of the unforgiving servant (Matthew 18:21-35) powerfully illustrates that those who have received immeasurable forgiveness are obligated to extend it. Forgiveness is not optional for the forgiven.
The Practice of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling — it may precede emotional healing. It does not mean condoning wrong, forgetting the offense, or eliminating consequences. It means releasing the debt, refusing bitterness, and trusting God with justice. Paul's standard is clear: 'Forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you' (Ephesians 4:32).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does forgive mean in the Bible?
Forgive (aphiēmi) means 'to send away' or 'to release' — canceling the debt created by an offense. It is a deliberate choice to release the offender, modeled on God's forgiveness through Christ.
Do I have to forgive everyone?
Yes. Jesus taught that receiving God's forgiveness obligates extending forgiveness to others (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:21-35). Forgiveness is not optional — it is essential for spiritual health and obedience.
Which Bible verse uses the word "Forgive (Aphiēmi)"?
Matthew 6:14 — "For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you" (KJV). It also appears in Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13.
Why does the Greek word behind "Forgive (Aphiēmi)" matter?
Aphiēmi combines apo ('away from') and hiēmi ('to send'), meaning 'to send away.' It was used for canceling debts, releasing prisoners, and divorcing (sending away). English uses one word, "Forgive (Aphiēmi)", where the Greek ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) carries the fuller sense: to release, let go, or send away — canceling a debt and setting the offender free.
Related Words
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Forgive (Aphiēmi) (ἀφίημι (aphiēmi))
To release, let go, or send away — canceling a debt and setting the offender free.
Strong's G863 — Forgive (Aphiēmi)
ἀφίημι (aphiēmi) • To release, let go, or send away — canceling a debt and setting the offender free.
Forgiveness (ἄφεσις (Aphesis))
The release from guilt, penalty, and the debt of sin
Bible Verses About Forgiveness
10 curated KJV verses
Bible Verses About Unforgiveness
10 curated KJV verses
1 John 1:9 — Meaning & Devotional
Forgiveness
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