Forgiveness and the Heart of God in Scripture
Forgiveness in Scripture is presented as a core attribute of God, extended to humanity, and also as a command for believers in their interactions with one another [5, 11]. God's forgiveness is rooted in His merciful and compassionate character [3, 15]. The Old Testament describes God as "gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness" [3], and as one who "pardoneth iniquity, and destroyeth not" [6]. This divine long-suffering is intended to lead people to repentance [7].
The act of forgiveness from God involves absolving the sinner from the condemnation of the law and removing the guilt of sin, which is the sinner's liability to eternal wrath [4]. This is considered a constituent part of justification [4]. All sins are freely forgiven by God [4], a prerogative uniquely His [4]. The New Testament emphasizes that God's forgiveness is offered to all through the gospel [4]. Forgiveness is closely linked with the atonement, which is effected by Christ alone and demonstrates God's grace, mercy, and love [10]. God's mercy is the origin of pardon, which He delights in and gives freely and fully [16].
Human repentance and confession are necessary for receiving divine forgiveness [8, 12]. Joel 2:13 calls for an inward change of heart rather than mere external displays of grief, urging people to "tear your heart, and not your garments" [3, 15]. Confession of sin should be accompanied by submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, godly sorrow, and forsaking sin [8]. When these conditions are met, pardon follows [8]. The prayer of faith can also lead to forgiveness for those who have committed sins [2].
Believers are commanded to forgive others, mirroring God's forgiveness of them [1, 5]. Jesus set an example of forgiveness, even for those who wronged Him [1]. This command for unlimited forgiveness is highlighted in passages like Matthew 18:22 and Luke 17:4 [1]. Forgiving others is seen as a reflection of a repentant heart, making one's own forgiveness possible [11]. Those who have experienced God's forgiveness are expected to forgive others [11]. Conversely, an unwillingness to forgive may indicate a lack of understanding of God's mercy or a lack of true repentance [11].
The concept of forgiveness extends to practical Christian living, where believers are urged to be kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving towards one another, "just as God also in Christ forgave you" [5]. This forgiveness should be accompanied by forbearance and kindness [1]. The New Testament explicitly forbids revenge, instead encouraging believers to trust in God, exhibit love, and overcome evil with good [9]. The forgiving spirit of Job, for instance, is seen as foreshadowing the love of Christ and Christians toward enemies [13]. God's willingness to forgive a repentant person's sin also implies restoration to the community of faith [14].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Forgiveness of Injuries — Christ set an example of -- Lu 23:34. Commanded -- Mr 11:25; Ro 12:19. To be unlimited -- Mt 18:22; Lu 17:4. A characteristic of saints -- Ps 7:4. Motives to The mercy of God. -- Lu 6:36. Our need of forgiveness. -- Mr 11:25. God's forgiveness of us. -- Eph 4:32. Christ's forgiveness of us. -- Col 3:13. A glory to saints -- Pr 19:11. Should be accompanied by Forbearance. -- Col 3:13. Kindness. -- Ge 45:5-11; Ro 12:20. Blessing and prayer. -- Mt 5:44. Promises to -- Mt 6:14; Lu 6:37. No forgiveness without -- Mt 6:15; Jas 2:13. Illustrated --”
- James “and the prayer of faith will heal him who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. -- James 5:15”
- Joel “Tear your heart, and not your garments, and turn to Yahweh, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and relents from sending calamity. -- Joel 2:13”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
- Ephesians “And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you. -- Ephesians 4:32”
- Psalms “Psalms 78:38 (YLT) — And He--the Merciful One, Pardoneth iniquity, and destroyeth not, And hath often turned back His anger, And waketh not up all His fury.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Long-Suffering of God, The — Is part of his character -- Ex 34:6; Nu 14:18; Ps 86:15. Salvation, the object of -- 2Pe 3:15. Through Christ's intercession -- Lu 13:8. Should lead to repentance -- Ro 2:4; 2Pe 3:9. An encouragement to repent -- Joe 2:13. Exhibited in forgiving sins -- Ro 3:25. Exercised toward His people. -- Isa 30:18; Eze 20:17. The wicked. -- Ro 9:22; 1Pe 3:20. Plead in prayer -- Jer 15:15. Limits set to -- Ge 6:3; Jer 44:22. The wicked Abuse. -- Ec 8:11; Mt 24:48,49. Despise. -- Ro 2:4. Punished for despising. -- Ne 9:30; Mt 24:48-51; Ro 2:5. Illustr”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Revenge — Forbidden by our Lord -- Le 19:18; Pr 24:17,29; Mt 5:39-41; Ro 12:17,19; 1Th 5:15; 1Pe 3:9. Christ an example of forbearing -- Isa 53:7; 1Pe 2:23. Rebuked by Christ -- Lu 9:54,55. Inconsistent with Christian spirit -- Lu 9:55. Proceeds from a spiteful heart -- Eze 25:15. Instead of taking, we should Trust in God. -- Pr 20:22; Ro 12:16. Exhibit love. -- Le 19:18; Lu 6:35. Give place to wrath. -- Ro 12:19. Exercise forbearance. -- Mt 5:38-41. Bless. -- Ro 12:14. Overcome others by kindness. -- Pr 25:21,22; Ro 12:20. Keep others from taking -- 1Sa 24:10; 25:24”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 6:12: 6:12 as we have forgiven (see also 6:14-15; 18:21-35): Forgiving others is a reflection of a repentant, regenerate heart, which makes our own forgiveness possible. Those who have experienced God’s forgiveness will forgive. Jesus implies that those who are unwilling to forgive have not perceived God’s mercy, and perhaps have never truly repented.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 32:5: 32:5 God has forgiven the guilt and rebellion of 32:1. The Lord’s nature is to reconcile and forgive (78:38; 85:2; 130:4), but he requires confession and repentance.”
- Job (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Job 42:9: The forgiving spirit of Job foreshadows the love of Jesus Christ and of Christians to enemies (Mat 5:44; Luk 23:34; Act 7:60; Act 16:24, Act 16:28, Act 16:30-31).”
- Leviticus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Leviticus 4:20: 4:20 A similar form of the phrase they will be forgiven appears frequently in passages dealing with atonement (4:26, 31, 35; 5:10, 13, 16, 18; 6:7; 19:22; Num 15:25, 26, 28). God is willing to forgive a repentant person’s sin and restore him or her to the community of faith.”
- Joel (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Joel 2:13: 2:13 One means of showing grief in the ancient world was to tear one’s clothing (Gen 37:34; 2 Sam 3:31; 2 Kgs 19:1). • tear your hearts: In Hebrew, the heart is the center of thought, faith, and will. God’s people were to go beyond external demonstrations of repentance to repent inwardly—to change their orientation, priorities, and attitudes. This could only happen if they would return to the Lord. • for he is merciful and compassionate . . . and filled with unfailing love: The people’s only hope was in the merciful character of the Lord (see also Exod 34:6-7; Num 1”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 8:12: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,.... That is, sin; for all unrighteousness is sin, being contrary to the justice of God, and his righteous law: and the phrase is expressive of God's forgiveness of it, which is a very considerable article of the covenant of grace; mercy is the spring and original of pardon; it is what God delights in, and therefore he pardons freely; it is large and abundant, and hence he pardons fully; and this lays a foundation for hope in sensible sinners: and the way and means, in and by which God pardons, is the propitiatory sacri”