“Forgiveness” is such a loaded word. It is so loaded that even Biblical Scholars can’t agree on how many times forgive verses in Bible passages come up! The word itself is used 15 times in the NIV Bible, but the concept of forgiveness is used much, much more. For such a long read, you would expect the Bible to mention such an important practice more often.
Forgiveness brings out so many emotions and opinions, and for some, it brings out pain and heartache. Holding on to anger or resentment may seem like the right thing to do at the moment, and perhaps it is, depending on what has happened. However, anger makes itself known emotionally, mentally, and physically. Forgiveness is good for the soul, but if that doesn’t convince you that it’s the right choice, take into consideration the physical attributes of forgiveness. Allowing yourself to hold on to an emotion or response that provokes an unhealthy reaction can lead to stress, exhaustion, or even chronic pain.
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Forgive Verses In Bible Passages: 70 Times 7
“Forgive” verses in Bible passages certainly impress upon us the importance of forgiveness, but what if the person needing the forgiveness keeps doing the same thing over and over again? In Matthew 18 we read that Peter asked Jesus this very question. How many times must we forgive? Jesus responds “70 times 7.”
Don’t break out the calculator. This number is symbolic. The number 7 was a sacred number to the Hebrews, and since the Hebrews would have been reading this scripture, they would have recognized the importance of that number. It is considered the most sacred number because it is the symbol of God’s work. The number 70 combines two spiritual realities of the Hebrew tradition. 10 represents the completeness of God’s Law. This, multiplied by his Sacred Work (7), is what we hope to achieve by communicating in love (forgiveness), not hate (resentment).
If Christianity is not something you or your family practice or can relate to, the major religions around the world have practiced the importance of forgiveness so much that it is in their sacred works as well. (See quotes from Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Bahai, and Sikh.)
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If religion isn’t your thing at all, then George Lucas may be able to convince you. Forgiveness is a vital practice for a Jedi.
10 Forgive Verses In Bible
- Luke 23:34 “Father, forgive them. They know not what they do.”
Even as Jesus was hanging on the cross, he forgave the crowds of sneers and judgment, and even his executioners. - Ephesians 4:31-32 “All bitterness, fury, anger, shouting, and reviling must be removed from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another as God has forgiven you in Christ.”
- Mark 11:25 “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.”
- Proverbs 17:9 “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”
- Luke 6:37 “Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
- Psalm 86:5 “For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”
- 2 Corinthians 2:5-8, 10 “Now if anyone has caused pain, he has caused it not to me, but in some measure — not to put it too severely — to all of you. For such a one, this punishment by the majority is enough, so you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. So I beg you to reaffirm your love for him … Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive.”
- Romans 4:7-8 “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.”
- Colossians 3:13 “The Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
- Matthew 18:21 “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, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven.'”
The power of forgiveness is something that we truly have control over, even if it seems impossible. There are many resources out there to help us understand the importance of forgiving and letting go of anger or resentment, but we cannot reach that until we make the decision to forgive. These 10 powerful forgive verses in Bible passages are ancient and well-known, but they speak to an ideal that you have the power to bring to life in your own experience.
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THose are some very powerful bible verses. Forgiveness is so important for everyday small errors to larger mistakes. My favorite verse is Proverbs 17:9