Forgiveness
ἄφεσις (Aphesis)
The release from guilt, penalty, and the debt of sin
Forgiveness (aphesis) means 'release' or 'letting go.' It is God's gracious act of canceling the debt of sin, releasing the sinner from guilt and punishment through the atoning work of Christ.
"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace." — Ephesians 1:7 (KJV)
Key Verses
Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”Read in context
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.”Read in context
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”Read in context
The Meaning of Aphesis
The Greek 'aphesis' comes from 'aphiemi' — 'to send away, release, or let go.' It was used in legal contexts for releasing a prisoner or canceling a debt. When God forgives, He does not merely overlook sin or pretend it did not happen. He releases the sinner from the penalty, cancels the moral debt, and restores the broken relationship. Forgiveness is an act of both justice (the penalty was paid by Christ) and grace (the benefit is given freely).
God's Forgiveness of Humanity
The Bible uses vivid imagery to describe God's forgiveness: sins cast into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19), removed as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12), blotted out like a thick cloud (Isaiah 44:22), remembered no more (Jeremiah 31:34). These images emphasize the completeness and finality of divine forgiveness. In Christ, forgiveness is not partial or provisional — it is total and permanent.
Forgiving Others
Jesus taught that receiving God's forgiveness creates an obligation to forgive others. The Lord's Prayer links the two: 'Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors' (Matthew 6:12). The parable of the unmerciful servant (Matthew 18:21-35) warns that those who refuse to forgive others cannot genuinely have received God's forgiveness. Peter asked if forgiving seven times was enough; Jesus said seventy times seven — meaning without limit.
The Cost of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is free to the recipient but infinitely costly to the giver. God did not forgive by simply declaring a general amnesty — He sent His Son to bear the full weight of sin's penalty on the cross. 'Without shedding of blood is no remission' (Hebrews 9:22). Every act of human forgiveness also involves a cost — choosing to absorb the hurt rather than demand retribution, releasing the desire for vengeance, and trusting God with justice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there any sin God cannot forgive?
Jesus spoke of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit as an unforgivable sin (Matthew 12:31-32), generally understood as the persistent, willful rejection of the Spirit's testimony about Christ. Apart from this, Scripture teaches that God's forgiveness extends to every sin confessed in genuine repentance. 'The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin' (1 John 1:7).
Does forgiving mean forgetting?
When God says He will 'remember their sin no more' (Jeremiah 31:34), it means He chooses not to hold it against us — not that He has amnesia. Similarly, human forgiveness does not require erasing memory but choosing not to use past offenses as weapons. Forgiveness is a decision of the will, not a feeling of the emotions, though healing often follows.
Do I have to forgive someone who is not sorry?
Jesus forgave from the cross before His executioners repented: 'Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do' (Luke 23:34). While reconciliation requires both parties, forgiveness can be granted unilaterally — releasing the offender to God and freeing yourself from the prison of bitterness.
What is the Greek word for "Forgiveness" in the Bible?
ἄφεσις (Aphesis), pronounced "AH-feh-sis." It means the release from guilt, penalty, and the debt of sin. It is the word behind "Forgiveness" in both Testaments, for example in Ephesians 1:7.
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