12 Bible Verses About Forgiveness Of Sins

Written by: Evelyn Johnson
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Discover the power of forgiveness with these twelve Bible verses about forgiveness of sins.

The Bible teaches that forgiveness is a gift of grace from God, available to all who repent and confess their sins.

It is a central theme of God’s plan for humanity and essential for healing and restoring relationships.

In addition to the verses, this article also explores related concepts and recommends five Bible chapters to read for a deeper understanding of forgiveness of sins.

Bible verses about forgiveness of sins

Here are twelve powerful Bible verses about forgiveness of sins:

1. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
2. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Ephesians 4:32
3. “For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.” – Matthew 6:14
4. “And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” – Mark 11:25
5. “Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” – Luke 23:34
6. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” – Ephesians 1:7

7. “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” – 1 John 2:2
8. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to 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 that is in me.” – Acts 26:18
9. “And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” – Colossians 3:13
10. “And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me.” – Jeremiah 33:8
11. “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” – Matthew 26:28
12. “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.” – James 5:15

What does the Bible say about forgiveness of sins?

The Bible teaches that forgiveness of sins is a central theme of God’s plan for humanity.

It emphasizes that all people have sinned and fall short of God’s glory, but through faith in Jesus Christ, they can be forgiven and reconciled to God.

Forgiveness is not earned but is a gift of grace from God.

It requires repentance and confession of sins, as well as a willingness to forgive others.

God’s forgiveness is complete and removes all guilt and shame.

Christians are called to forgive others as God has forgiven them and to seek reconciliation with those they have wronged.

Forgiveness is essential for healing and restoring relationships and is a key aspect of living a life of love and compassion.

What Bible chapters should you read if you want to learn more about forgiveness of sins?

1. Psalm 51 – This chapter is a prayer of repentance and confession of sin. It is relevant to forgiveness of sins because it shows the importance of acknowledging one’s wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness from God.

2. Isaiah 53 – This chapter prophesies about the suffering servant who would bear the sins of the people. It is relevant to forgiveness of sins because it shows that forgiveness is possible through the sacrifice of a sinless substitute.

3. Matthew 18 – This chapter contains the parable of the unforgiving servant, which teaches the importance of forgiving others as we have been forgiven by God. It is relevant to forgiveness of sins because it shows that forgiveness is not only a one-time event but a continuous process of extending grace to others.

4. Luke 15 – This chapter contains the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son, which all illustrate God’s willingness to forgive and restore those who repent. It is relevant to forgiveness of sins because it shows that forgiveness is not based on merit but on God’s mercy and grace.

5. 1 John 1 – This chapter emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins and receiving forgiveness from God. It is relevant to forgiveness of sins because it shows that forgiveness is available to all who acknowledge their need for it and turn to God in repentance.

Ideas and concepts related to forgiveness of sins that are also taught or mentioned in the Bible.

1. Repentance – This is the act of turning away from sin and towards God. It is a necessary step towards receiving forgiveness of sins. Repentance involves acknowledging one’s wrongdoing, feeling remorseful, and making a commitment to change one’s ways. Repentance is related to forgiveness of sins because it is a prerequisite for receiving forgiveness.

2. Atonement – This refers to the process of making amends for one’s sins. In the Old Testament, atonement was achieved through the sacrifice of animals. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is seen as the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of humanity. Atonement is related to forgiveness of sins because it is a means of satisfying the demands of justice and making things right with God.

3. Grace – This is the unmerited favor of God towards humanity. It is through grace that God offers forgiveness of sins to those who repent and believe in Jesus Christ. Grace is related to forgiveness of sins because it is the basis for God’s offer of forgiveness.

4. Redemption – This refers to the act of buying back or rescuing something that has been lost or taken captive. In the Bible, redemption is often used to describe the process of God rescuing humanity from the power of sin and death. Redemption is related to forgiveness of sins because it is through redemption that we are able to be reconciled to God and receive forgiveness.

5. Justification – This refers to the act of being declared righteous or innocent. In the Bible, justification is often used to describe the process of God declaring believers to be righteous on the basis of their faith in Jesus Christ. Justification is related to forgiveness of sins because it is through justification that we are able to be reconciled to God and receive forgiveness.

Evelyn Johnson - Bible Verses
Written by Evelyn Johnson


Evelyn Johnson is a theologian, Bible expert, and the founder of EncouragingBibleVerses.org, a trusted resource for uplifting and empowering Bible verses.

With a Master's degree in Divinity, Evelyn is dedicated to studying and interpreting the Bible. Her website features curated collections of verses on various topics, along with insightful commentary and practical tips for everyday life.

Evelyn is also a sought-after speaker and author on matters of faith and spirituality. In her free time, she enjoys hiking and volunteering in her local church and community.

Learn more about her and read her other articles here.