Scriptures on Forgiveness: God's Mercy and Ours
A reference collection of Bible verses on God's forgiveness of us and our call to forgive others — organized for prayer and reflection.
Forgiveness runs in two directions through Scripture: the forgiveness God lavishes on us, and the forgiveness He calls us to extend to others. Both are gathered here — the promises to receive, and the instructions to live.
Verse quotations are from the World English Bible (public domain). Read each passage in your own Bible for its full context.
God's Forgiveness Toward Us
- 1 John 1:9 — "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
- Psalm 103:12 — "As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us."
- Isaiah 1:18 — "Though your sins are as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow."
- Micah 7:19 — "You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea."
- Ephesians 1:7 — "In him we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace."
- Hebrews 8:12 — "I will be merciful to their unrighteousness. I will remember their sins and lawless deeds no more."
Our Call to Forgive Others
- Ephesians 4:32 — "Be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you."
- Colossians 3:13 — "Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other... even as Christ forgave you, so you also do."
- Matthew 6:14 — "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
- Mark 11:25 — "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone."
- Matthew 18:21-22 — "Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?" Jesus said to him, "I don't tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven."
- Luke 23:34 — "Father, forgive them, for they don't know what they are doing."
The Freedom Connection
Unforgiveness is a weight the forgiver carries, not the forgiven. Scripture links our willingness to release others with our own peace, our prayers, and even our health — which is why forgiveness appears so often alongside healing in the Gospels.
For the sacramental side of God's mercy, the Church gives us Confession — and for teaching on how sin, forgiveness and healing connect, read Marybeth's essays The Answer to Sin, Consequences of Sin, and God Still Loves You.
Related Resources
This page is part of our free Scripture & Prayer Library. For Marybeth's personal teaching, testimony, and encouragement, visit the blog — or join us live at our daily prayer call and weekly Bible study.