Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church – With permission to use content ideas from Salem Web Network, the Communications Team of Vietnam Evangelical Covenant Church is pleased to share with you a list of key verses arranged by topic from the Bible (Berean Standard Bible).
Forgiveness is one of the central themes of the gospel. The Bible speaks of forgiveness in two directions: God forgives our sins through Jesus Christ, and because we have been forgiven, we are called to forgive others. Neither is easy. Some find it hard to believe they are truly forgiven; others find it hard to let go of wounds others have caused.
The 16 Bible verses about forgiveness below help you see God’s merciful heart and find strength to forgive those who have hurt you.
16 Bible Verses About Forgiveness
1. Matthew 6:14–15
“For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.”
– Matthew 6:14–15 (BSB)
Jesus links being forgiven with forgiving others. Those who have truly received grace cannot hold on to resentment forever.
2. 1 John 1:9
“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 (BSB)
God’s forgiveness does not depend on our worthiness but on His faithfulness. What He asks of us is honest confession.
3. Isaiah 43:25–26
“I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more. Remind Me, let us argue the matter together. State your case, so that you may be vindicated.”
– Isaiah 43:25–26 (BSB)
God forgives “for My own sake,” for His name and merciful nature. When He forgives, He chooses to remember the sin no more.
4. Acts 3:19
“Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.”
– Acts 3:19 (BSB)
Repentance is not just regret, but turning back to God. It is the door through which sins are wiped away.
5. Isaiah 1:18
““Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.””
– Isaiah 1:18 (BSB)
No sin is too red for God to make white. This is an invitation for anyone who thinks they have gone too far.
6. 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come!”
– 2 Corinthians 5:17 (BSB)
God’s forgiveness not only erases the past but gives a new beginning. In Christ, we are no longer defined by old mistakes.
7. Ephesians 1:7
“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace.”
– Ephesians 1:7 (BSB)
Forgiveness came at a very high price: the blood of Jesus Himself. So we should never take that grace lightly.
8. Hebrews 10:17
“Then He adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.””
– Hebrews 10:17 (BSB)
Some people have been forgiven but still carry guilt. This promise reminds us that God no longer keeps record of what He has forgiven.
9. Daniel 9:9
“To the Lord our God belong compassion and forgiveness, even though we have rebelled against Him.”
– Daniel 9:9 (BSB)
Daniel prayed on behalf of a whole nation that had sinned. He made no excuses but relied completely on God’s mercy.
10. Colossians 1:13–14
“He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.”
– Colossians 1:13–14 (BSB)
Being forgiven also means being moved from darkness into the kingdom of God’s Son. It is a complete change of standing.
11. Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
– Psalm 103:12 (BSB)
East and west never meet. This image shows how far God has removed our sins.
12. Numbers 14:20
“The LORD replied, “I have pardoned them as you requested.””
– Numbers 14:20 (BSB)
Moses interceded for the people and God answered. This verse encourages us to pray for others to be forgiven and restored.
13. Micah 7:18–19
“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion? He will again have compassion on us; He will vanquish our iniquities. You will cast out all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
– Micah 7:18–19 (BSB)
God “delights in loving devotion.” He does not forgive reluctantly, but gladly casts our sins into the depths of the sea.
14. Matthew 6:9–15
“So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours.”
– Matthew 6:9–15 (BSB)
In the Lord’s Prayer, asking for forgiveness and forgiving others stand side by side. Every time we pray it, we are reminded to examine our hearts.
15. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand to pray, if you hold anything against another, forgive it, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your trespasses as well.”
– Mark 11:25 (BSB)
Holding grudges can hinder our prayer life. Forgiveness does not make wrong right; it hands judgment back to God.
16. Matthew 26:28
“This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”
– Matthew 26:28 (BSB)
Every time we take Communion, we remember the price of forgiveness: the blood of the covenant Jesus poured out for many.
Living in the Grace of Forgiveness
Forgiveness is often a process rather than a moment. Some wounds take many prayers before we can let them go. Begin by telling God honestly about your pain, then ask Him for strength to forgive as He has forgiven you. Forgiveness also does not mean putting yourself in danger; in serious situations, seek guidance from a pastor or a qualified professional.
And if you are carrying the burden of a past sin, trust God’s promise: whoever confesses their sins is forgiven. You do not need to punish yourself any longer.
You may also like: Hurt in the Church: Overcoming Pain and Holding On to Faith and 15 Bible Verses About Anxiety.
Lord, thank You for forgiving all my sins through the blood of Jesus. Help me forgive those who have hurt me, and heal my heart from bitterness. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Compiled by: Ly Nguyễn
With permission from: Salem Web Network
Read more articles in Key Verses, or find a church near you on our Locations page. Contact the church office: 0942 248 688 (Zalo available).
