Quotes about Forgiveness

Forgiveness is a cornerstone of Christian faith, exemplifying the mercy and grace that believers are called to extend to others, just as God has forgiven them.

Throughout the Bible, forgiveness is portrayed as a powerful act of love, healing, and reconciliation. In this article, we will explore the significance of forgiveness in Christianity, examining its portrayal in both the Old and New Testaments, accompanied by 30 quotes that capture the essence of forgiveness.

Forgiveness in the New Testament

The New Testament is rich with teachings on forgiveness, often attributed to the words and actions of Jesus Christ. Here are a few key quotes that illuminate the importance of forgiveness in the Christian context:

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14

“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” – Luke 6:27-28

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25

“Then Peter came up and said to him, ‘Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'” – Matthew 18:21-22

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

Forgiveness in the Old Testament

In the Old Testament, forgiveness is portrayed as an essential aspect of God’s character and a call to His people to seek forgiveness and extend it to others. Here are some notable quotes from the Old Testament:

“But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” – Psalm 130:4

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” – Isaiah 43:25

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

“To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me.” – Psalm 25:1-2

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” – Psalm 103:10

Quotes on Forgiveness:

To further emphasize the significance of forgiveness, here are additional quotes that reflect the Christian perspective on forgiveness:

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14

“Forgiveness is the fragrance that the violet sheds on the heel that has crushed it.” – Mark Twain

“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

“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.” – Paul Boese

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12

“Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” – Hannah Arendt

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.” – Matthew 5:44

“Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13

“Forgiveness is the final form of love.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

“Forgiveness is an act of the will, and the will can function regardless of the temperature of the heart.” – Corrie ten Boom

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9

“To err is human, to forgive, divine.” – Alexander Pope

“Forgiveness is the key to action and freedom.” – Hannah Arendt

“Forgiveness is not an occasional act; it is a permanent attitude.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.” – Lewis B. Smedes

“Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

“Forgiveness is the final form of love.” – Reinhold Niebuhr

 

New Testament Forgiveness Quotes

“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37

“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25

“If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” – Luke 17:3-4

“But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” – Matthew 6:15

“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” – Matthew 6:12

“Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, and if he sins against you seven times in the day and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” – Luke 17:3-4

“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:31-32

“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” – Colossians 3:12-13

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” – Luke 6:35-36

Old Testament Forgiveness Quotes

“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” – Psalm 86:15

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever.” – Psalm 103:8-9

“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14

“Repent, therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out.” – Acts 3:19

“Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.” – Joel 2:13

“Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” – Isaiah 55:6-7

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” – Psalm 103:8-10

“But with you there is forgiveness, that you may be feared.” – Psalm 130:4

“I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.” – Isaiah 43:25

“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.” – Psalm 103:10

These additional references from the Bible emphasize the importance of forgiveness as a central theme in Christianity, reflecting God’s mercy and grace and the call for believers to extend forgiveness to others as they have been forgiven by God. Forgiveness is portrayed as a path to healing, reconciliation, and restoration in both the Old and New Testaments.

In conclusion, forgiveness is a fundamental concept in Christianity, reflecting the mercy and grace of God and the call for believers to extend the same forgiveness to others. These quotes and scriptures illustrate the transformative power of forgiveness, its role in healing relationships and hearts, and its place at the core of Christian faith. Forgiveness remains a source of reconciliation, freedom, and restoration, embodying the essence of Christ’s teachings.