Reference: Forgiveness
Hastings
Like many other words employed to convey ideas connected with the relations of God and man, this covers a variety of thoughts. In both OT and NT we have evidences of a more elastic vocabulary than the English Version would lead us to suppose. 1. The OT has at least three different words all tr 'forgiveness' or 'pardon,' referring either to God's actions with regard to men (cf. Ex 34:7; Ps 86:5; Ne 9:17) or to forgiveness extended to men by each other (cf. Ge 50:17; 1Sa 25:28). At a very early period of human, or at least of Jewish, history, some sense of the need of forgiveness by God seems to have been felt. This will be especially evident if the words of despairing complaint put into the mouth of Caln be tr literally (see Driver, The Book of Genesis, on Ge 4:13, cf. Revised Version margin). The power to forgive came to be looked on as inherent in God, who not only possessed the authority, but loved thus to exhibit His mercy (Da 9:9; Ne 9:17; Jer 36:3). In order, however, to obtain this gift, a corresponding condition of humiliation and repentance on man's part had to be fulfilled (2Ch 7:14; Ps 86:5), and without a conscious determination of the transgressor to amend and turn towards his God, no hope of pardon was held out (Jos 24:19; 2Ki 24:4; Jer 5:1,7). On the other hand, as soon as men acknowledged their errors, and asked God to forgive, no limit was set to His love in this respect (1Ki 8:36,50; Ps 103:3; cf. De 30:1-10). Nor could this condition be regarded as unreasonable, for holiness, the essential characteristic of the Divine nature, demanded an answering correspondence on the part of man made in God's image. Without this correspondence forgiveness was rendered impossible, and that, so to speak, automatically (cf. Le 19:2; Jos 24:19; see Nu 14:18; Job 10:14; Na 1:3).
According to the Levitical code, when wrong was done between man and man, the first requlsite in order to Divine pardon was restitution, which had to be followed up by a service of atonement (Le 6:2-7). Even in the case of sins of ignorance, repentance and its outward expression in sacrifice had to precede forgiveness (Le 4:13 ff., Nu 15:23 ff. etc.). Here the educative influence of the Law must have been powerful, inculcating as it did at once the transcendent holiness of God and the need of a similar holiness on the part of His people (Le 11:44). Thus the Pauline saying, 'The law hath been our tutor to bring us to Christ' (Ga 3:24), is profoundly true, and the great priestly services of the Temple, with the solemn and ornate ritual, must have given glimpses of the approach by which men could feel their way and obtain the help indispensable for the needs adumbrated by the demands of the Mosaic institutions. The burden of the prophetic exhortations, 'Turn ye, turn ye, why will ye die?' (Eze 33:11; cf. Isa 44:22; Jer 35:15; 18:11; Ho 14:1; Joe 2:13 etc.), would be meaningless if the power to obey were withheld, or the way kept hidden. Indeed, these preachers of moral righteousness did not hesitate to emphasize the converse side of this truth in dwelling on the 'repentance' of God and His returning to His afflicted but repentant people (Jon 3:9; Mal 3:7 etc.). The resultant effect of this mutual approach was the restoration to Divine favour, of those who had been alienated, by the free act of forgiveness on the part of God (Ps 85:4; Isa 55:7; 59:20; Jer 13:17,24 etc.).
2. We are thus not surprised to learn that belief in the forgiveness of sins was a cardinal article of the Jewish faith in the time of Jesus (Mr 2:7 = Lu 5:21, cf. Isa 43:25). Nor was the teaching of Jesus in any instance out of line with the national belief, for, according to His words, the source of all pardon was His Father (Mr 11:25 f., Mt 6:14 f.; cf. His appeal on the cross, 'Father, forgive them,' Lu 23:34). It is true that 'the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins' (Mr 2:10 = Mt 9:6 = Lu 5:24), but the form of the expression shows that Jesus was laying claim to a delegated authority (cf. Lu 7:43, where, as in the case of the palsied man, the words are declaratory rather than absolute; see Plummer, CC International Critical Commentary, in loc.). This is more clearly seen by a reference to NT epistolary literature, where again and again forgiveness and restoration are spoken of as mediated 'in' or 'through' Christ (Eph 4:32; Col 2:12 ff., 1Pe 5:10; cf. Eph 1:7; Re 1:5; 1Jo 2:12 etc.). Here, as in OT, only more insistently dwelt on, the consciousness of guilt and of the need of personal holiness is the first step on the road to God's forgiveness (1Jo 1:9, cf. Ps 32:5; 51:3 etc.); and the open acknowledgment of these feelings is looked on as the natural outcome of their existence (Ac 19:18; cf. Ro 10:10; 1Jo 1:9). The hopelessness which at times seemed to have settled down on Jesus, when confronted by Pharisaic opposition, was the result of the moral and spiritual blindness of the religious teachers to their real position (Joh 9:40 f.).
3. Again, following along the line we have traced in the OT, only more definitely and specifically emphasized, the NT writers affirm the necessity for a moral likeness between God and man (cf. Mt 5:48). It is in this region, perhaps, that the most striking development is to be seen. Without exhibiting, in their relations to each other, the Divine spirit of forgiveness, men need never hope to experience God's pardon for themselves. This, we are inclined to think, is the most striking feature in the ethical creations of Jesus' teaching. By almost every method of instruction, from incidental postulate (Mt 6:12=Lu 11:4; Mr 11:25) to deliberate statement (Mt 18:21 ff; Mt 6:15; Mr 11:25; Lu 17:4) and elaborate parable (Mt 18:23-35), He sought to attune the minds of His hearers to this high and difficult note of the Christian spirit (cf. Col 3:13; 1Jo 4:11). Once more, Jesus definitely asserts the limitation to which the pardon and mercy even of God are subjected. Whatever may be the precise meaning attaching to the words 'an eternal sin' (Mr 3:29), it is plain that some definite border-line is referred to as the line of demarcation between those who may hope for this evidence of God's love and those who are outside its scope (Mt 12:32). See art. Sin, iii. 1.
4. We have lastly to consider the words, recorded only by St. John, of the risen Jesus to His assembled disciples (Joh 20:23). It is remarkable that this is the only place in the Fourth Gospel where the word tr 'forgive' (RV) occurs, and we must not forget that the incident of conferring the power of absolution on the body of believers, as they were gathered together, is peculiar to this writer. At the same time, it is instructive to remember that nowhere is St. John much concerned with a simple narrative of events as such; he seems to be engaged rather in choosing those facts which he can subordinate to his teaching purposes. The choice, then, of this circumstance must have been intentional, as having a particular significance, and when the immediately preceding context is read, it is seen that the peculiar power transmitted is consequent upon the gift of the Holy Spirit. On two other occasions somewhat similar powers were promised, once personally to St. Peter as the great representative of that complete faith in the Incarnation of which the Church is the guardian in the world (Mt 16:19), and once to the Church in its corporate capacity as the final judge of the terms of fellowship for each of its members (Mt 18:18). In both these instances the words used by Jesus with regard to this spiritual power differ from those found in the narrative of the Fourth Gospel, and the latter is seen to be more definite, profound, and far-reaching in its scope than the former. The abiding presence of the living Spirit in the Church is the sure guarantee that her powers in judging spiritual things are inherent in her (cf. 1Co 2:12-15) as the Body of Christ. Henceforth she carries in her bosom the authority so emphatically claimed by her Lord, to declare the wondrous fact of Divine forgiveness (Ac 13:38) and to set forth the conditions upon which it ultimately rests (see Westcott, Gospel of St. John, in loc.). Closely connected with the exercis
See Verses Found in Dictionary
'This wise say unto Joseph: forgive, I pray thee, the trespass of thy brethren and their sin, for they rewarded thee evil.' Now therefore we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of thy father's God." And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
and keepest mercy in store for thousands, and forgivest wickedness, trespass and sin - for there is no man innocent before thee - and visitest the wickedness of the fathers upon the children and upon children's children, even unto the third and fourth generation."
"'If the whole commonalty of the children of Israel sin through ignorance, and the thing be hid from their eyes: so that they have committed any of these things which the LORD hath forbidden to be done in his commandments and have offended,
"When a soul sinneth and trespasseth against the LORD, and denied unto his neighbour that which was taken him to keep, or that was put under his hand, or that which he hath violently taken away, or that which he hath deceived his neighbour of with subtlety, or hath found that which was lost and denieth it, and sweareth falsely, in whatsoever thing it be that a man doth and sinneth therein; read more. Then when he hath sinned or trespassed, he shall restore again that he took violently away, or the wrong which he did, or that which was delivered him to keep, or the lost thing which he found, or whatsoever it be about which he hath sworn falsely, he shall restore it again in the whole sum, and shall add the fifth part more thereto and give it unto him to whom it pertaineth, the same day that he offereth for his trespass, and shall bring for his trespass offering unto the LORD: a ram without blemish out of the flock, that is esteemed worth a trespass offering unto the priest. And the priest shall make an atonement for him before the LORD, and it shall be forgiven him in whatsoever thing it be that a man doth and trespasseth therein."
For I am the LORD your God: be sanctified therefore that ye may be holy, for I am holy; and defile not your souls with any manner thing that creepeth upon the earth.
"Speak unto all the multitude of the children of Israel, and say unto them, 'Be holy for I, the LORD your God, am holy.
'The LORD is long yer he be angry, and full of mercy, and suffereth sin and trespass, and leaveth no man innocent, and visiteth the unrighteousness of the fathers upon the children, even upon the third and fourth generation.'
and all that the LORD hath commanded you by the hand of Moses, from the first day forward that the LORD commanded among your generation:
When all these words are come upon thee, whether it be the blessing or the curse which I have set before thee; yet if thou turn unto thine heart among all the nations whither the LORD thy God hath thrust thee, and come again unto the LORD thy God and hearken unto his voice according to all that I command thee this day - both thou and thy children with all thine heart and all thy soul - read more. then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity and have compassion upon thee and go and fetch thee again from all the nations, among which the LORD thy God shall have scattered thee. Though thou wast cast unto the extreme parts of heaven: even from thence will the LORD thy God gather thee and from thence fetch thee; and bring thee into the land which thy fathers possessed, and thou shalt enjoy it. And he will show thee kindness and multiply thee above thy fathers. And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart and the heart of thy seed for to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart and all thy soul, that thou mayest live. And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies and on them that hate thee and persecute thee. "But thou shalt turn and hearken unto the voice of the LORD and do all his commandments which I command thee this day. And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in all the works of thine hand and in the fruit of thy body, in the fruit of thy cattle and fruit of thy land and in riches. For the LORD will turn again and rejoice over thee to do thee good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: If thou hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and ordinances which are written in the book of this law, if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart and all thy soul.
Behold, I have said unto thee, be strong and bold: neither fear, nor dread. For the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest."
Now, therefore, swear unto me by the LORD because I have showed you mercy, that ye shall also show mercy unto my father's house and give me a true token.
When all the people were clean over, then went over the ark of the LORD, and also the priests before the people.
But Joshua said unto the people, "Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is a holy God and cannot bear your transgression and sin.
But Joshua said unto the people, "Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is a holy God and cannot bear your transgression and sin.
then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit.
and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them.
Yet if my people that are named after my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my presence, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and be merciful to their sins, and will heal their land.
and refused to hear, and were not mindful of the wonders that thou didst for them: but became obstinate and heady insomuch that they turned back to their bondage in their disobedience. But thou, my God, forgavest, and wast gracious, merciful, patient, and of great goodness, and forsookest them not.
and refused to hear, and were not mindful of the wonders that thou didst for them: but became obstinate and heady insomuch that they turned back to their bondage in their disobedience. But thou, my God, forgavest, and wast gracious, merciful, patient, and of great goodness, and forsookest them not.
"If I did sin, thou haddest an eye unto me, and shalt not declare me innocent because of mine offense.
I will acknowledge my sin unto thee; and mine unrighteousness have I not hid. I said, "I will confess my sins unto the LORD." And so thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin. Selah.
For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me.
For thou, LORD, art good and gracious, and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
For thou, LORD, art good and gracious, and of great mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities?
Whereas I yet am even he only, that for mine own self's sake do away thine offenses, and forget thy sins: so that I will never think upon them.
As for thine offenses, I drive them away like the clouds, and thy sins as the mist. Turn ye again unto me, and I will deliver thee.
Let the ungodly man forsake his ways and the unrighteous his imaginations, and turn again unto the LORD: so shall he be merciful unto him; and to our God, for he is ready to forgive.
But unto Zion there shall come a redeemer, and unto them in Jacob that turn from wickedness, sayeth the LORD.
Look through Jerusalem, behold and see. Seek through her streets also within, if ye can find one man, that doth equal and right, or that laboureth to be faithful: and I shall spare him, sayeth the LORD.
"Should I then, for all this, have mercy upon thee? Thy children have forsaken me, and sworn by them that are no gods. And albeit they were bound to me in marriage, yet they fell to adultery, and hunted harlots' houses.
But if ye will not hear me, that give you secret warning, I will mourn from my whole heart for your stubbornness. Piteously will I weep, and the tears shall gush out of mine eyes. For the LORD's flock shall be carried away captive.
Therefore will I scatter you, like as the stubble that is taken away with the south wind.
"Speak now therefore unto whole Judah, and to them that dwell at Jerusalem. Thus sayeth the LORD: Behold, I am devising a plague for you, and am taking a thing in hand against you. Therefore let every man turn from his evil way, take upon you the thing that is good, and do right.
Yea, I have sent my servants, all the prophets, unto you. I rose up early, and sent you word, saying: O turn you, every man from his wicked way: amend your lives, and go not after strange gods, to worship them: that ye may continue in the land, which I have given unto you and your fathers. But ye would neither hear me, nor follow me.
That when the house of Judah heareth of the plague, which I have devised for them, they may peradventure turn, every man from his wicked way, that I may forgive their offenses and sins."
Tell them, 'As truly as I live, sayeth the LORD God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but much rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn you, turn you from your ungodly ways, O ye of the house of Israel. Oh, wherefore will ye die?'
But unto thee O LORD our God, pertaineth mercy and forgiveness. As for us, we are gone back from him,
Turn Israel unto the LORD thy God: For thou art fallen for thy wickednesses' sake.
And tear your hearts and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God. For he is full of mercy and compassion, long ere he be angry, and great in mercy and repentance when he is at the point to punish.
"Who can tell whether God will turn and repent, and cease from his fierce wrath, that we perish not?"
The LORD suffereth long, he is of great power, and so innocent that he leaveth no man faultless before him. The LORD goeth forth in tempest and stormy weather; the clouds are the dust of his feet.
"Ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and since the time of your forefathers have ye not kept them. Turn you now unto me, and I will turn me unto you, sayeth the LORD of Hosts. Ye say, 'Wherein shall we turn?'
Ye shall therefore be perfect even as your father which is in heaven is perfect.
And forgive us our trespasses, even as we forgive our trespassers.
For and if ye shall forgive other men their trespasses, your heavenly father shall also forgive you. But and if ye will not forgive men their trespasses, no more shall your father forgive your trespasses.
That ye may know that the son of man hath power to forgive sins in earth" - then said he unto the sick of the palsy - "Arise, take up thy bed, and go home to thine house."
And whosoever speaketh a word against the son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the holy ghost, it shall not be forgiven him: no, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.
And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatsoever thou bindest upon earth, it shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou loosest on earth, it shall be loosed in heaven."
Verily I say unto you whatsoever ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heaven. And whatsoever ye loose on earth, shall be loosed in heaven.
Then came Peter to him, and said, "Master, how oft shall I forgive my brother, if he sin against me? Shall I forgive him seven times?"
Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain King, which would take accounts of his servants. And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents: read more. Whom, because he had nought to pay, his Master commanded him to be sold: and his wife, and his children, and all that he had; and payment to be made. The servant fell down and besought him saying, 'Sir, give me respite, and I will pay it every whit.' Then had the Lord pity on that servant, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt. And the said servant went out and found one of his fellows, which owed him a hundred pence. And laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, 'Pay me that thou owest.' And his fellow fell down, and besought him, saying, 'Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.' And he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt. When his other fellows saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their Lord all that had happened. Then his Lord called him, and said unto him, 'O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou praydest me: Was it not mete also, that thou shouldest have had compassion on thy fellow, even as I had pity on thee?' And his Lord was wroth, and delivered him to the jailers, till he should pay all that was due to him. So like wise shall my heavenly father do unto you, except ye forgive with your hearts, each one to his brother their trespasses."
John did baptise in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance, for the remission of sins.
"How doth this fellow so blaspheme? Who can forgive sins, but God only?"
That ye may know that the son of man hath power in earth to forgive sins," he spake unto the sick of the palsy,
but he that blasphemeth the holy ghost shall never have forgiveness: but is in danger of eternal damnation."
And when ye stand and pray: forgive, if ye have anything against any man;
And when ye stand and pray: forgive, if ye have anything against any man;
And when ye stand and pray: forgive, if ye have anything against any man;
And he came into all the coasts about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins,
And the scribes, and the Pharisees, began to think saying, "What fellow is this: which speaketh blasphemy? Who can forgive sins, but God only?"
But that ye may know that the son of man hath power to forgive sins on earth," he said unto the sick of the palsy, "I say to thee, arise, take up thy bed and go home to thy house."
Simon answered, and said, "I suppose that he to whom he forgave most." And he said unto him, "Thou hast truly judged."
And forgive us our sins: For even we forgive every man that trespasseth us, and lead us not into temptation; But deliver us from evil. Amen."
And though he sin against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee saying, It repenteth me, forgive him."
Then said Jesus, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
And some of the Pharisees which were with him, heard these words and said unto him, "Are we then blind?"
As soon as Jesus had received of the vinegar, he said, "It is finished," and bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.
Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained."
Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptised every one of of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.
Peter said unto them, "Repent, and be baptised every one of of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.
To him giveth all the prophets witness, that through his name all that believe in him shall receive remission of sins."
"Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptised, which have received the holy ghost as well as we?"
Be it known unto you therefore, ye men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins;
When they heard that, they were baptised in the name of the Lord Jesus.
And many that believed came, and confessed and showed their works.
We are buried with him by baptism for to die: That likewise as Christ was raised up from death by the glory of the father: even so we also should walk in a new life.
For the belief of the heart justifieth: and to knowledge with the mouth maketh a man safe.
And we have not received the spirit of the world: but the spirit which cometh of God, for to know the things that are given to us of God, which things also we speak - not in the cunning words of man's wisdom, but with the cunning words of the holy ghost, making spiritual comparisons of spiritual things. read more. For the natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are but foolishness unto him: Neither can he perceive them, because he is spiritually examined. But he that is spiritual discusseth all things: yet he himself is judged of no man.
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster unto the time of Christ, that we might be made righteous by faith.
By whom we have redemption through his blood, that is to say, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,
By whom we have redemption through his blood, that is to say, even the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,
Be ye courteous one to another, and merciful, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake forgave you.
in whom we have redemption through his blood, that is to say, forgiveness of sins,
in that ye are buried with him through baptism, in whom ye are also risen again through faith, that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death.
in that ye are buried with him through baptism, in whom ye are also risen again through faith, that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death.
forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel to another; even as Christ forgave you, even so do ye.
And almost all things are, by the law, purged with blood, and without shedding of blood, is no remission.
And where remission of these things is, there is no more offering for sin. Seeing, brethren, that by the means of the blood of Jesus, we may be bold to enter into that holy place,
The God of all grace - which called you unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus - shall his own self, after ye have suffered a little affliction, make you perfect: shall settle, strengthen, and establish you.
If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
and from Jesus Christ which is a faithful witness, and first begotten of the dead: and Lord over the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood,
Morish
There are three Hebrew words translated to forgive.
1. kaphar, 'to cover,' De 21:8; Ps 78:38; Jer 18:23. It is also translated 'atonement.'
2. nasa, 'to bear,' take away guilt: used by Joseph's brethren when they asked him to forgive them, Ge 50:17; and used of God as "forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin." Ex 34:7; Nu 14:18; and in describing the blessedness of the man "whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." Ps 32:1.
3. salach, 'to pardon,' used only of the forgiveness that God gives. It is employed for the forgiveness attached to the sacrifices: "it shall be forgiven him." Le 4:20,26,31,35; 5:10,13,16,18; etc. It occurs in the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple. 1Ki 8:30,34,36,39,50. Also in Ps 103:3; Jer 31:34; 36:3; Da 9:19.
In the N.T. two words are used: fesi" -->??????, from ??????, 'to send from, release, remit,' several times translated REMISSION; and ?????????, 'to be gracious, bestow freely, forgive.' Both words are applied to the forgiveness granted by God, as well as that between man and his fellow.
There are two aspects in which forgiveness is brought before us in scripture.
1. The mind and thought of God Himself towards the sinner whom He forgives. On the ground of the sacrifice of Christ, God not only ceases to hold those who have faith in Christ's blood as guilty before Him, but His favour is towards them. "Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more." Heb 10:17. Thus all sense of imputation of guilt is gone from the mind of God. "God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you" (?????????, graciously forgiven). Eph 4:32. So in the O.T., "I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely." Ho 14:4.
2. The guilty one is released, forgiven. "That they may receive forgiveness of sins." Ac 26:18. "As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us." Ps 103:12. "Your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." 1Jo 2:12. Hence it is true of all Christians, that their sins are forgiven. Another thought is included in the forgiveness of sins, namely, that having redemption by Christ, which brings into a new state, the whole guilty past is forgiven, removed from us, so that there is no hindrance to the enjoyment of that into which redemption brings.
The general principle as to forgiveness is stated in 1Jo 1:9; "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins;" and to this is added, "and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This involves honesty of heart, whether in a sinner first coming to God, or in a child who has grieved the heart of the Father by sinning. The two aspects above referred to are here also. The faithfulness and righteousness of God in forgiving, and the cleansing us from all unrighteousness. God is faithful to His own blessed character of grace revealed in His Son, and righteous through the propitiation which He has made.
3. If a Christian is 'put away' from the assembly and is repentant, he is forgiven and restored. 2Co 2:7,10. This of course is different from the act of God in forgiving sins, and may be called administrative forgiveness in the church; and if the act of discipline is led of the Spirit, it is ratified in heaven: cf. Joh 20:22-23. This is entirely different from any pretended absolution that may be pronounced over poor deluded unconverted persons.
4. There is also a governmental forgiveness in connection with the government of God here below in time, both on God's part, and toward one another. Isa 40:1-2; Lu 17:3; Jas 5:15-16; 1Jo 5:16. We are called upon to forgive one another; and if we indulge in a harsh unforgiving spirit, we must not expect our Father to forgive us in His governmental dealings. Mt 6:14-15.
See Verses Found in Dictionary
'This wise say unto Joseph: forgive, I pray thee, the trespass of thy brethren and their sin, for they rewarded thee evil.' Now therefore we pray thee, forgive the trespass of the servants of thy father's God." And Joseph wept when they spake unto him.
and keepest mercy in store for thousands, and forgivest wickedness, trespass and sin - for there is no man innocent before thee - and visitest the wickedness of the fathers upon the children and upon children's children, even unto the third and fourth generation."
and shall do with his ox as he did with the sin offering ox. And the priest shall make an atonement for them, and so it shall be forgiven them.
and burn all his fat upon the altar, as he doth the fat of the peace offerings. And the priest shall make an atonement for him as concerning his sin, and so it shall be forgiven him.
and shall take away all his fat as the fat of the peace offerings is taken away. And the priest shall burn it upon the altar for a sweet savour unto the LORD, and the priest shall make an atonement for him and it shall be forgiven him.
And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the sheep of the peace offerings was taken away. And the priest shall burn it upon the altar for the LORD's sacrifice, and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin, and it shall be forgiven him."'
And let him offer the second for a burnt offering as the manner is: and so shall the priest make an atonement for him for the sin which he hath sinned, and it shall be forgiven him.
And let the priest make an atonement for him for his sin - whatsoever of these he hath sinned - and it shall be forgiven. And the remnant shall be the priest's, as it is in the meat offering.'"
And he shall make amends for the harm that he hath done in the holy thing, and put the fifth part more thereto, and give it unto the priest. And the priest shall make an atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering, and it shall be forgiven him.
and shall bring a ram without blemish out of the flock that is esteemed to be worth a sin offering, unto the priest. And the priest shall make an atonement for him for the ignorance which he did, and was not ware, and it shall be forgiven him.
'The LORD is long yer he be angry, and full of mercy, and suffereth sin and trespass, and leaveth no man innocent, and visiteth the unrighteousness of the fathers upon the children, even upon the third and fourth generation.'
Be merciful LORD unto thy people Israel which thou hast delivered and put not innocent blood unto thy people Israel: and the blood shall be forgiven them.'
And hearken unto the supplication of thy servant and of thy people Israel which they shall pray in this place. And hear thou, up unto heaven thy dwelling place, and when thou hearest have mercy.
Then hear thou up to heaven and be merciful unto the sin of thy people Israel, and bring thee again unto the land which thou gavest unto their fathers.
then hear thou up to heaven, and be merciful unto the sin of thy servants and of thy people Israel, that thou show them a good way to walk in, and give rain upon thy land that thou hast given unto thy people to inherit.
And be merciful, and work, and give every man according to his ways - even as thou only knowest every man's heart, for thou knowest the hearts of all the children of Adam -
and be merciful unto thy people that have sinned against thee, and unto all their trespass that they have trespassed against thee, and get them favour in the sight of them that hold them captive that they may have compassion on them.
{An Instruction of David} Blessed is he, whose unrighteousness is forgiven, and whose sin is covered.
But he was so merciful, that he forgave their misdeeds, and destroyed them not. Yea, many a time turned he his wrath away, and would not suffer his whole displeasure to arise.
Who forgiveth all thy sin, and healeth all thine infirmities?
Look how wide the east is from the west, so far hath he set our sins from us.
Comfort my people, O ye prophets; comfort my people, sayeth your God. Comfort Jerusalem, and tell her that her travail is at an end, that her offense is pardoned, that she hath received of the LORD's hand sufficient correction for all her sins.
Yet LORD, thou knowest all their counsel that they have devised, to slay me. And therefore forgive them not their wickedness, and let not their sin be put out of thy sight: but let them be judged before thee as the guilty: This shalt thou do unto them in the time of thy indignation.
And from thenceforth shall no man teach his neighbour or his brother, and say, 'Know the LORD.' But they shall all know me, from the lowest unto the highest, sayeth the LORD. For I will forgive their misdeeds, and will never remember their sins anymore.
That when the house of Judah heareth of the plague, which I have devised for them, they may peradventure turn, every man from his wicked way, that I may forgive their offenses and sins."
O Lord, hear; O forgive Lord; O Lord consider, tarry not over long: but for thine own sake do it. O my God: for thy city and thy people is called after thy name."
I will heal their obedience and will love them of mine own accord: for my wrath is ceased from them.
For and if ye shall forgive other men their trespasses, your heavenly father shall also forgive you. But and if ye will not forgive men their trespasses, no more shall your father forgive your trespasses.
Take heed to yourselves: if thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
And when he had said that, he breathed on them, and said unto them, "Receive the holy ghost. Whosoever's sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them: And whosoever's sins ye retain, they are retained."
to open their eyes that they might turn from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in me.'
So that now contrariwise ye ought to forgive him and comfort him: lest that same person should be swallowed up with overmuch heaviness.
To whom ye forgive anything, I forgive also. And verily if I forgive anything, to whom I forgave it for your sakes forgave I it, in the room of Christ,
Be ye courteous one to another, and merciful, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake forgave you.
and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more."
and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Knowledge your faults one to another: and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man availeth much, if it be fervent.
If we knowledge our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Babes, I write unto you how that your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.