If you’re struggling to forgive someone who hurt you, if guilt is crushing you, or if bitterness is eating you alive, the Bible offers more than “just forgive.” Scripture reveals that forgiveness isn’t pretending nothing happened or excusing behavior. It’s releasing your right to revenge and trusting God with justice. Forgiveness sets you free, not them.
In this guide, you’ll find 12 carefully selected Bible verses about forgiveness, each with deep commentary to help you understand how to forgive the unforgivable, receive God’s forgiveness, and break free from the prison of unforgiveness. These verses will show you that forgiveness is more about your freedom than their absolution.
When You Need to Forgive Someone
1. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
Why This Helps
This is Jesus speaking, and it’s a hard teaching. Your forgiveness from God is connected to your willingness to forgive others. Not because you earn God’s forgiveness by forgiving others, but because unforgiveness reveals you haven’t truly grasped God’s forgiveness of you.
Think about it: You’ve been forgiven for massive debt against God. When you refuse to forgive someone’s smaller debt against you, you’re saying their sin against you is worse than your sin against God. That’s spiritual amnesia. You’ve forgotten how much you’ve been forgiven.
This verse isn’t meant to guilt you. It’s meant to wake you up. When you truly grasp how much God has forgiven you, forgiving others becomes possible. The hard part isn’t forcing yourself to forgive. It’s receiving God’s forgiveness so deeply that you can’t help but extend it to others.
How to Use This Verse Today
- Before trying to forgive, spend time meditating on what God has forgiven you for. Make a list. Get specific.
- Ask: “Am I acting like my sin against God is smaller than [person’s] sin against me?”
- Pray: “God, help me see [person’s] offense in light of how much You’ve forgiven me.”
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I’m struggling to forgive [person]. But I’ve forgotten how much You’ve forgiven me. Remind me of my own sin against You. Let the weight of Your forgiveness toward me crush my unwillingness to forgive. Help me forgive as I’ve been forgiven. Amen.”
2. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Why This Helps
“Forgive as the Lord forgave you” is the standard. Not “as you feel like it.” Not “if they deserve it.” As Jesus forgave you. And how did Jesus forgive you? While you were still a sinner. Before you apologized. Before you changed. He forgave you unconditionally.
“Bear with each other” comes before forgive. It acknowledges people are annoying, frustrating, and imperfect. You’re going to have grievances. That’s normal. The question is: what do you do with grievances? You can nurse them into bitterness, or you can forgive as you’ve been forgiven.
This verse makes forgiveness a community practice. You’re going to need to forgive repeatedly. Others are going to need to forgive you repeatedly. That’s how Christian community works. No one is perfect. Everyone offends. Everyone needs grace.
How to Use This Verse Today
- When someone annoys or hurts you, remember: “Bear with each other” means tolerating imperfection, not demanding perfection.
- Ask: “How did Jesus forgive me? Did He wait for an apology? Did He demand I earn it?” Then do the same for [person].
- If you’re waiting for them to apologize before you forgive, you’ve misunderstood forgiveness. Jesus forgave you first.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I have a grievance against [person]. Help me bear with them and forgive as You forgave me. You forgave me while I was still a sinner. You didn’t wait for my apology. Help me extend that same grace. I choose to forgive as I’ve been forgiven. Amen.”
3. Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Why This Helps
This verse reveals the reciprocal nature of forgiveness. How you treat others is how you’ll be treated. Not because God is keeping score, but because unforgiveness hardens your heart and makes you unable to receive forgiveness yourself.
“Do not condemn” means releasing the right to judge and sentence someone. Unforgiveness keeps you in the judge’s seat, constantly rehearsing their guilt and planning their punishment. Forgiveness gets you out of the judge’s seat and lets God be the judge.
“Forgive, and you will be forgiven” doesn’t mean you earn God’s forgiveness. It means when you forgive, you become capable of receiving God’s forgiveness. Unforgiveness clogs the channel. Forgiveness opens it. The more you forgive, the more you experience being forgiven.
How to Use This Verse Today
- Notice when you’re mentally rehearsing [person’s] guilt. That’s you in the judge’s seat. Get out of it. Say: “God, You be the judge. I release my right to condemn.”
- Practice this: Every time you think about their offense, immediately think about your own need for forgiveness. This keeps you humble and forgiving.
- Remember: Forgiving doesn’t mean excusing. It means releasing your right to revenge and letting God handle justice.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I’m sitting in the judge’s seat toward [person], rehearsing their guilt and planning their punishment. That’s not my job. You be the judge. I release my right to condemn. I choose to forgive. Open my heart to receive Your forgiveness more deeply as I extend it to others. Amen.”
When You Need God’s Forgiveness
4. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Why This Helps
“If we confess” is a simple condition. You don’t have to grovel or do penance. Just confess. Agree with God about your sin. Call it what it is. That’s it. Confession isn’t complicated – it’s honest acknowledgment.
“He is faithful and just” means God forgiving you isn’t a maybe. It’s guaranteed. His forgiveness isn’t based on how good your confession is or how sorry you feel. It’s based on His faithfulness to His promise and Christ’s payment on the cross. The work is already done.
“Purify us from all unrighteousness” goes beyond forgiveness. God doesn’t just pardon you. He cleanses you. He removes the stain. You’re not just forgiven – you’re clean. No guilt. No shame. No record. Clean.
How to Use This Verse Today
- When guilt crushes you, confess specifically: “God, I [specific sin]. I was wrong. I’m sorry.” Then receive His forgiveness.
- Don’t keep confessing the same sin over and over. That’s doubting God’s faithfulness. He forgave you the first time. Receive it.
- Speak this over yourself: “God is faithful and just. He has forgiven me and purified me. I am clean.”
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I confess [specific sin]. I was wrong. I’m sorry. You are faithful and just to forgive me and purify me from all unrighteousness. I receive Your forgiveness right now. I am clean because of Jesus. Thank You for making me righteous. Amen.”
5. Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.”
Why This Helps
“As far as the east is from the west” is infinite distance. East and west never meet. God didn’t remove your sins as far as north is from south (which would eventually meet at poles). He removed them infinitely. They’re gone. Unreachable. Irretrievable.
This destroys the lie that God is still holding your sin against you. “God forgave me, but He’s still disappointed/angry/distant.” No. He removed your sin as far as east is from west. It’s GONE. God doesn’t remember it. He’s not disappointed. He sees you through Christ, completely righteous.
When Satan or your conscience brings up past forgiven sin, this verse is your weapon. “That sin is as far as east is from west. God doesn’t remember it. Neither will I.”
How to Use This Verse Today
- When guilt resurfaces over forgiven sin, speak this verse aloud: “God has removed my transgression as far as the east is from the west. It’s gone. He doesn’t remember it.”
- Picture your sin being carried infinitely away, never to return. That’s what God did with it.
- If you keep remembering what God forgot, you’re disagreeing with God’s forgiveness. Stop. Agree with God. It’s gone.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, You have removed my transgressions as far as the east is from the west. That sin is gone. Unreachable. You don’t remember it. I won’t either. Thank You for completely removing my sin from me. I receive this truth and reject guilt. Amen.”
6. Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”
Why This Helps
“Redemption through his blood” means forgiveness cost something. It wasn’t cheap grace. Jesus’ blood paid the full price. Your sin is forgiven not because it didn’t matter, but because it mattered so much that Jesus died to pay for it.
“In accordance with the riches of God’s grace” means God’s forgiveness isn’t stingy. It’s lavish. He doesn’t forgive barely enough. He forgives “in accordance with the riches” – abundantly, generously, completely. There’s no sin too big for the riches of God’s grace.
This verse connects forgiveness to redemption. You’re not just pardoned. You’re bought back. Redeemed. Restored. God didn’t just release you from prison – He brought you into His family. Forgiveness leads to relationship, not just acquittal.
How to Use This Verse Today
- When you doubt if God can forgive [specific big sin], remember: Forgiveness is “in accordance with the riches of God’s grace,” not the smallness of your sin.
- Thank Jesus specifically for the blood He shed. Your forgiveness cost Him everything. Receive it as the costly gift it is.
- Don’t just receive forgiveness – receive redemption. You’re not just pardoned. You’re family.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“Jesus, I have redemption through Your blood. My sins are forgiven in accordance with the riches of God’s grace. You didn’t forgive stingily – You forgave lavishly. Thank You for paying the full price. I’m not just pardoned. I’m redeemed. Brought back. Restored. Amen.”
When Forgiveness Feels Impossible
7. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.'”
Why This Helps
Peter thought he was being generous offering seven times. Jesus’ answer (seventy-seven times, or “seventy times seven” in some translations) means unlimited forgiveness. Don’t keep count. That’s the point – when you’re counting, you’re not actually forgiving.
This verse addresses repeat offenses. The hardest forgiveness is when someone keeps hurting you. Jesus says forgive anyway. Not because their behavior is okay, but because unforgiveness destroys you, not them. Each time they hurt you, you have a choice: bitterness or forgiveness.
“Seventy-seven times” doesn’t mean enabling abuse. You can forgive and still set boundaries. You can forgive and still remove yourself from danger. Forgiveness releases your anger. Boundaries protect your safety. Both can coexist.
How to Use This Verse Today
- If you’re keeping count of offenses, stop. Forgiveness doesn’t track. Delete your mental scoreboard.
- When [person] hurts you again, choose forgiveness again. Each offense is a new choice. Don’t let past hurt determine present response.
- Remember: Forgiving doesn’t mean trusting. Forgiveness is immediate. Trust is rebuilt over time with changed behavior.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“Jesus, [person] has hurt me repeatedly. I want to keep count. I want to stop forgiving. But You say forgive seventy-seven times – unlimited. Help me forgive again. I release this offense. I’m not keeping score. I forgive, even though it’s hard. Amen.”
8. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Why This Helps
“When you stand praying” means unforgiveness blocks your prayers. You can’t come to God holding bitterness against someone while expecting to receive from God. Unforgiveness clogs your spiritual life. It creates distance between you and God.
“If you hold anything against anyone” includes the person you think doesn’t deserve forgiveness. The one who hurt you worst. The one who hasn’t apologized. Anyone. If you’re holding it against them, you need to forgive.
This isn’t about earning God’s forgiveness. It’s about the state of your heart. When you refuse to forgive, your heart hardens. A hard heart can’t receive forgiveness, can’t pray effectively, can’t experience intimacy with God. Forgiveness softens your heart and opens you to God.
How to Use This Verse Today
- Before you pray, ask: “Am I holding anything against anyone?” If yes, deal with it first.
- Picture yourself standing before God holding a grudge in your clenched fist. You can’t receive from Him when your hands are full of bitterness. Open your hand. Release it.
- If you’re avoiding prayer because of unforgiveness, that’s your sign. Deal with the unforgiveness first.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I’m standing before You, but I’m holding something against [person]. I can’t pray effectively while clinging to bitterness. I’m releasing it now. I forgive [person]. Not because they deserve it, but because I need to be free. Open my heart to receive from You. Amen.”
When You Keep Reliving the Hurt
9. Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Why This Helps
“Get rid of” is active. Bitterness doesn’t leave on its own. You have to evict it. When you keep reliving the hurt, rehearsing what they did, imagining revenge – that’s bitterness taking root. You have to actively get rid of it.
Notice the progression: bitterness → rage → anger → brawling → slander → malice. It starts with unforgiveness and escalates. The longer you hold unforgiveness, the worse it gets. This verse says stop it before it grows. Get rid of bitterness at the root.
“Just as in Christ God forgave you” is the motivation. You don’t forgive because they deserve it. You forgive because you’ve been forgiven. When you keep replaying how they hurt you, replay how God forgave you. That shifts everything.
How to Use This Verse Today
- When you catch yourself replaying the hurt, stop. Literally say: “I’m getting rid of this bitterness. I refuse to let it take root.”
- Replace the replay with truth: “They hurt me, but God forgave me for hurting Him. I choose to forgive as I’ve been forgiven.”
- Practice this: Every time you think of the offense, immediately thank God for forgiving you. This interrupts the bitterness loop.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I’m holding bitterness, rage, and anger toward [person]. I see it growing into malice. I’m actively getting rid of it now. I choose kindness and compassion. I forgive as You forgave me. Help me stop replaying the hurt and start remembering Your forgiveness of me. Amen.”
10. Hebrews 12:15
“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.”
Why This Helps
“Bitter root” is imagery. Bitterness is a root that grows underground where you can’t see it, then suddenly breaks through and defiles everything. That’s what unforgiveness does. It grows silently, then suddenly poisons your whole life.
“Cause trouble and defile many” means bitterness never stays contained. You think you’re just bitter at one person, but it seeps into every relationship. You become cynical, suspicious, hard. Bitterness toward one person defiles your entire life.
“See to it” means you’re responsible for dealing with bitterness. Don’t let it grow. Don’t nurture it. Don’t justify it. Dig it up and get rid of it before it defiles everything. Forgiveness is how you dig up the root.
How to Use This Verse Today
- Ask: “Is bitterness growing underground in me? Am I becoming cynical, suspicious, hard toward everyone because I’m bitter at one person?”
- Identify where bitterness is defiling other relationships. That’s your sign it needs to be dealt with.
- Confess: “God, I’m harboring a bitter root toward [person]. I don’t want it to defile my whole life. Help me dig it up through forgiveness.”
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I see bitterness growing underground in me. It started with [person], but now it’s defiling everything. I don’t want this root to poison my whole life. Help me dig it up through forgiveness. Replace bitterness with Your grace. Make me free. Amen.”
Understanding What Forgiveness Is (and Isn’t)
11. Romans 12:19
“Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.”
Why This Helps
“Do not take revenge” means you release your right to get even. That’s what forgiveness is – releasing revenge. Not pretending they didn’t hurt you. Not excusing behavior. Releasing your right to hurt them back and letting God handle justice.
“Leave room for God’s wrath” is key. Forgiveness doesn’t mean God won’t deal with their sin. It means you’re letting Him deal with it, not you. When you cling to unforgiveness, you’re essentially saying “God, Your justice isn’t enough. I need to add my revenge.” Forgiveness says “God, Your justice is sufficient. I trust You.”
“I will repay” is God’s promise. He will deal with wrongs. You can forgive because you know God will handle justice. You’re not letting them “get away with it.” You’re trusting God to repay better than you ever could.
How to Use This Verse Today
- When unforgiveness says “they need to pay,” counter with: “God will repay. That’s His job, not mine.”
- Picture yourself releasing [person] from your prison of revenge and handing them over to God’s court. You’re not dismissing their offense – you’re trusting God to handle it justly.
- Practice: “It’s not my job to make them pay. My job is to forgive and trust God with justice.”
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I want revenge against [person]. But You say vengeance is Yours, not mine. I release my right to get even. I’m handing [person] over to You. Deal with them justly. I trust Your justice is better than my revenge. Help me leave room for Your wrath and walk in forgiveness. Amen.”
12. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11
“Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, to keep Satan from gaining a foothold.”
Why This Helps
“To keep Satan from gaining a foothold” reveals unforgiveness gives Satan access. When you refuse to forgive, you give the enemy a foothold in your life. Bitterness, revenge thoughts, rehearsing offenses – these are all footholds for Satan to torment you.
Paul says he forgives “for your sake” – not for the offender’s sake. Forgiveness benefits you more than them. It’s for your freedom, your peace, your protection from Satan’s attacks. When you forgive, you close the door Satan was using to torment you.
This verse shows forgiveness is spiritual warfare. Every time you choose unforgiveness, you empower the enemy. Every time you choose forgiveness, you shut down his attack. Forgiveness isn’t weak – it’s warfare.
How to Use This Verse Today
- When unforgiveness tempts you, recognize it’s spiritual attack. Say: “I will not give Satan a foothold through bitterness. I choose forgiveness.”
- Remember: Forgiving benefits you more than them. It’s for your protection and freedom.
- Picture unforgiveness as a door Satan uses to torment you. Forgiveness slams that door shut.
A Prayer Based on This Verse
“God, I see unforgiveness toward [person] is giving Satan a foothold in my life. He’s using my bitterness to torment me. I refuse to give him access anymore. I forgive [person] for my sake – for my freedom, my peace, my protection. I’m closing the door Satan was using. Amen.”
Frequently Asked Questions About Bible Verses for Forgiveness
Does forgiveness mean I have to trust them again?
No. Forgiveness is immediate. Trust is rebuilt over time through changed behavior. You can forgive someone and still maintain boundaries. You can forgive and still require them to earn trust back. Forgiveness releases your anger. Trust requires proof of change.
What if they never apologize?
Forgive anyway. Forgiveness isn’t contingent on their apology. Jesus forgave you while you were still a sinner, before you apologized. You forgive for your freedom, not for their absolution. Waiting for an apology keeps you in prison.
How do I know if I’ve truly forgiven?
You’ve forgiven when you can think about the offense without rage, when you don’t wish harm on them, when you can pray for their good. You might still feel pain when remembering, but the bitterness and desire for revenge are gone.
What if I forgive and they hurt me again?
Forgive again. Jesus said seventy-seven times. Each offense requires a fresh choice. Forgiving doesn’t mean tolerating abuse – set boundaries. But each time they hurt you, choose forgiveness for your own freedom. Don’t let their behavior control your heart.
Can I forgive but still feel angry?
Yes. Forgiveness is a choice, not a feeling. You can choose to forgive while still feeling angry about what happened. Over time, as you practice forgiveness, the anger typically subsides. But initially, feelings and choice don’t always align.
What if the hurt is too big to forgive?
No hurt is too big for God’s grace. If God can forgive you (and He can), you can forgive others. Start by being honest: “God, this feels too big. I can’t forgive in my own strength. Help me.” Forgiveness is supernatural work God does through you.
How do I forgive myself?
If God has forgiven you, who are you to withhold forgiveness from yourself? Self-unforgiveness is pride – it says your standard is higher than God’s. If God forgave you through Christ’s blood, receive it. Agree with God. If He says you’re forgiven, you are.
How to Use These Verses Daily
Morning Declaration: Start each day declaring: “I choose forgiveness today. I will not give bitterness a foothold. I forgive as I’ve been forgiven.”
Throughout the Day: When someone hurts you or when past hurts resurface, immediately recall a forgiveness verse. Choose forgiveness before bitterness takes root.
Evening Practice: Before bed, release the day’s offenses. Name them: “I forgive [person] for [offense].” Don’t go to bed harboring bitterness.
Long-Term: Memorize Ephesians 4:32. It becomes your standard: “Forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
Related Topics
Struggling with forgiveness or want to dig deeper? Explore these related topics:
- Bible Verses About Peace
- Bible Verses About Healing
- Bible Verses About Love
- Bible Verses About Anger
- Bible Verses About Comfort
Remember: Forgiveness isn’t pretending it didn’t happen. It’s releasing your right to revenge and trusting God with justice. Forgiveness sets you free.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” — Colossians 3:13