Bible Verses About Forgiving Others

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Jesus binds the two together tightly. The forgiveness we extend and the forgiveness we receive are not separate accounts.

Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Peter thought seven was generous. Jesus answers with a number meant to be uncountable — stop keeping the ledger entirely.

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.

Forgiveness is folded right into prayer. You can't fully reach toward God with a grudge still clenched in your fist.

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.

Honesty and forgiveness together — name the wrong, then release it. Repeatedly, if that's what the day requires.

Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

The most radical turn of all — not merely refraining from revenge, but feeding the very enemy who wronged you. Good is the only thing that finally overcomes evil.