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Cultivating a Culture of Forgiveness in the Church

Cultivating a culture of forgiveness within a community is presented in scripture as a natural response to the forgiveness received from God [12]. The Apostle Paul exhorts believers in Colossians 3:13 to be "forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye" [1]. Similarly, Ephesians 4:32 encourages kindness, tenderheartedness, and mutual forgiveness, "just as in Christ God forgave you" [2]. This emphasis suggests that the experience of divine forgiveness should intrinsically motivate individuals to extend forgiveness to others [12].

Forgiveness, in a theological sense, involves God absolving a sinner from the condemnation of the law due to the work of Christ, thereby removing the guilt of sin and the liability to eternal wrath [3]. This act of grace frees the sinner from the penalty of their sins [3]. The prerogative to pardon sin belongs uniquely to God, and this forgiveness is offered freely to all through the gospel [3]. The human act of forgiving others is portrayed as a reflection of a repentant heart that has experienced God's mercy [13]. Those who have received God's forgiveness are expected to forgive others; an unwillingness to do so may indicate a lack of true repentance or a failure to grasp God's mercy [13].

The concept of the church as the "body of Christ" provides a foundational understanding for the necessity of forgiveness within the community [4, 5, 8]. This metaphor, frequently used by Paul, illustrates that the church is composed of many different parts, each with its own function, yet all united as one body [4, 6, 10]. Just as a physical body requires harmony among its members, so too does the church require unity and mutual care [9]. This unity transcends differences, including those of gender or social status, as all are "one in Christ Jesus" [8]. Allegiance to Christ as Lord is seen as fostering harmonious relationships and peace within this unified body [7].

Within this unified body, disagreements and offenses are inevitable. John Gill, commenting on Colossians 3:13, explains that "forbearing one another" means not only bearing burdens and weaknesses but also refraining from retaliation or seeking revenge for affronts [14]. Forgiving one another, in this context, means forgiving trespasses and offenses committed against oneself, and praying for God to forgive those offenses as they were committed against Him [14]. Adam Clarke adds that "forbearing one another" involves avoiding actions that might irritate or provoke others [15]. If an offense occurs, forgiveness should be readily extended upon the acknowledgment of the fault [15]. However, Clarke also notes that while one should not harbor ill will, actual forgiveness from the offended party is typically extended when the offender sorrowfully acknowledges their fault [15].

The call to forgive is not merely an individual ethical directive but a communal imperative that shapes the very nature of the church. The church is described as a "holy temple for the Lord," where God is present among His people [11]. This sacred space necessitates an environment where reconciliation and forgiveness are actively practiced, reflecting the divine character. The unity of the church, encompassing both Jewish and Gentile believers, is forged "in Christ" [11]. This unity, as Tyndale House notes on Colossians 3:15, implies that "just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ," and this singular allegiance to Jesus should lead to peaceful, harmonious relationships [7].

The emphasis on forgiveness is not simply about resolving conflict but about embodying the grace received. The instruction to forgive "as Christ forgave you" [1, 2] sets a high standard, pointing to the unconditional and radical nature of divine forgiveness. This divine act serves as the model and the motivation for human forgiveness. The expectation is that those who have experienced such profound grace will naturally extend it to others within their community. This reciprocal forgiveness reinforces the bonds of unity and love that are characteristic of the body of Christ.

Sources

  1. Colossians “Colossians 3:13 (KJV) — Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
  2. Ephesians “Ephesians 4:32 (BSB) — Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.”
  3. 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.)”
  4. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:12: 12:12-31 The church is like a body (see 12:27) composed of many different parts, each with its own function as determined by God (see 12:11, 18, 28; Rom 12:4-5).”
  5. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 12:27: members in particular--that is, severally members of it. Each church is in miniature what the whole aggregate of churches is collectively, "the body of Christ" (compare Co1 3:16): and its individual components are members, every one in his assigned place.”
  6. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 12:20: But now are they many members,.... Of different make and shape, in different parts and places, and of different use and service: yet but one body; all are united together, and make up one complete body, and which without each of them would not be perfect: so there are many members in the body of Christ, the church; some are teachers, others are hearers; some give, and others receive; but all make up but one church, of which Christ is the head; nor can anyone of them be spared; was anyone wanting, even the meanest, there would be a deficiency, and the church ”
  7. Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:15: 3:15 Just as Christ is one, so there can be only one body of Christ (see 1:18; Eph 4:4-6). Allegiance to Jesus as Lord must transcend differences and will result in peace (harmonious relationships).”
  8. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 3:28: 3:28 There is no longer: Everyone comes to Christ and receives God’s promises in exactly the same way (cp. 1 Cor 12:12-13; Eph 2:14; Col 3:11). • male and female: Cp. Gen 1:27. • you are all one: The community of believers is one body, the body of Christ (see Rom 12:4-5; 1 Cor 12:27; Eph 2:15-16, 19-22). • in Christ Jesus: See Col 2:6–3:11.”
  9. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 12:25: 12:25-26 The church is a unified body, so harmony and care for each other in the church is essential.”
  10. 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 12:14: For the body is not one member - The mystical body, the Church, as well as the natural body, is composed of many members.”
  11. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:21: 2:21 Joined together in Christ, Gentile and Jewish Christians become a holy temple for the Lord, because the Lord himself is among his people (see Matt 18:20; 28:20; 1 Cor 3:16; 1 Pet 2:4-5).”
  12. Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:32: 4:32 Forgiving fellow believers is a natural and good response to experiencing God’s forgiving grace in Christ (cp. Col 3:12-13; 1 Jn 4:19).”
  13. 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.”
  14. Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3:13: Forbearing one another,.... Not only bearing one another's burdens, and with one another's weaknesses, but forbearing to render evil for evil, or railing for railing, or to seek revenge for affronts given, in whatsoever way, whether by words or deeds: and forgiving one another; all trespasses and offences, so far as committed against themselves, and praying to God to forgive them, as committed against him: if any man have a quarrel against any; let him be who he will, high or low, rich or poor, of whatsoever age, state, or condition, and let his quarrel or com”
  15. Colossians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Colossians 3:13: Forbearing one another - Avoid all occasions of irritating or provoking each other. Forgiving one another - If ye receive offense, be instantly ready to forgive on the first acknowledgment of the fault. Even as Christ forgave you - Who required no satisfaction, and sought for nothing in you but the broken, contrite heart, and freely forgave you as soon as you returned to Him. No man should for a moment harbour ill will in his heart to any; but the offended party is not called actually to forgive, till the offender, with sorrow, acknowledges his fault. He should ”
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