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God's Forgiveness and Human Response in Scripture

God's forgiveness is a central theme in Scripture, characterized by divine mercy and a readiness to pardon iniquity [1, 3, 4]. This divine attribute is not merely an abstract concept but is consistently presented as a basis for human ethical and spiritual responses.

The Old Testament frequently emphasizes God's character as "ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness" [4]. For instance, Psalm 78:38 describes God as the "Merciful One" who "Pardoneth iniquity, and destroyeth not," often turning back anger [1]. Similarly, Daniel 9:9 states that "Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord, our God," even in the face of rebellion [3]. This divine long-suffering is intended to lead humanity to repentance [8].

In the New Testament, God's forgiveness is intrinsically linked to the work of Christ. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines the forgiveness of sin as a constituent part of justification, where God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law "on account of the work of Christ" [5]. This act removes the guilt of sin and the sinner's liability to eternal wrath [5]. All sins are freely forgiven through this grace [5]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Ephesians 4:32 clarifies that "God in Christ" is how God "vouchsafes forgiveness to us," emphasizing that it "cost God the death of His Son" [9].

Human response to God's forgiveness involves several key elements:

  1. Confession and Repentance: Scripture indicates that God requires and regards confession of sin [6]. Promises of pardon are linked to confession, which should be accompanied by submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, godly sorrow, forsaking sin, and restitution [6]. Tyndale House's commentary on Psalm 32:5 notes that while God's nature is to reconcile and forgive, "he requires confession and repentance" [10]. Leviticus 4:20 also shows that God is willing to forgive a repentant person and restore them to the community of faith [12].

  2. Forgiveness of Others: A crucial aspect of the human response is the command to forgive those who have wronged us [2]. Jesus set an example of forgiveness, even on the cross (Luke 23:34), and commanded his followers to forgive without limit (Matthew 18:22; Luke 17:4) [2]. The Jamieson, Fausset & Brown Commentary on Ephesians 4:32 argues that because God has shown kindness and forgiveness to believers, they should extend the same to fellow humans, especially considering that human offenses against each other are not as great as humanity's offenses against God [9]. Tyndale House's commentary on Matthew 6:12 states that forgiving others is a "reflection of a repentant, regenerate heart," making one's own forgiveness possible [11]. It suggests that those unwilling to forgive may not have truly perceived God's mercy [11]. This forgiveness should be accompanied by forbearance and kindness, rather than revenge [2, 7].

  3. Avoiding Revenge: The concept of revenge is explicitly forbidden in Scripture, with passages like Leviticus 19:18 and Romans 12:19 instructing believers not to seek vengeance [7]. Instead, believers are encouraged to trust in God, exhibit love, bless those who wrong them, and overcome evil with kindness [7]. Christ himself is presented as an example of forbearing revenge (Isaiah 53:7; 1 Peter 2:23) [7].

The divine long-suffering of God, which is part of His character, aims at salvation and should lead to repentance [8]. While God's long-suffering is extended to both His people and the wicked, there are limits to it, and those who abuse or despise it will face punishment [8]. God's forgiveness is a free act of grace, but it necessitates a corresponding transformation in the believer's heart and actions, particularly in their relationships with others [5, 11, 13].

Sources

  1. 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.”
  2. 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 --”
  3. Daniel “Daniel 9:9 (LEB) — ⌞Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord, our God⌟, for we have rebelled against him,”
  4. Nehemiah “and refused to obey, neither were they mindful of your wonders that you did among them, but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage. But you are a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, and didn’t forsake them. -- Nehemiah 9:17”
  5. 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.)”
  6. 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 -”
  7. 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”
  8. 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”
  9. Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:32: (Luk 7:42; Col 3:12). even as--God hath shown Himself "kind, tender-hearted, and forgiving to you"; it is but just that you in turn shall be so to your fellow men, who have not erred against you in the degree that you have erred against God (Mat 18:33). God for Christ's sake--rather as Greek, "God in Christ" (Co2 5:19). It is in Christ that God vouchsafes forgiveness to us. It cost God the death of His Son, as man, to forgive us. It costs us nothing to forgive our fellow man. hath forgiven--rather as Greek, "forgave you." God has, once for all”
  10. 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.”
  11. 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.”
  12. 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.”
  13. 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).”
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