God's Forgiveness of All Sins in Scripture

The concept of God's forgiveness of all sins is deeply rooted in biblical teachings. According to Psalms 103:3, "He has forgiveness for all your sins; he takes away all your diseases" ^[2]. This verse highlights God's willingness to pardon sins, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.

The Bible emphasizes that God's forgiveness is available to all who repent and believe. In Mark 3:28, Jesus states, "Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme" ^[3]. This passage underscores the comprehensive nature of God's forgiveness.

The biblical basis for God's forgiveness is closely tied to the concept of justification. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines justification as including "the forgiveness of sin," where God "removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it" ^[1]. This understanding is supported by various biblical references, such as Acts 5:31 and 13:38, which emphasize the free forgiveness of sins through faith in Christ.

The process of forgiveness involves confession of sin, as highlighted in Torrey's Topical Textbook ^[4]. The act of confession is accompanied by godly sorrow, submission to punishment, and restitution where necessary. Scripture promises pardon following genuine confession, as seen in 1 John 1:9, which states that if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins ^[1].

Different Christian traditions interpret the extent and implications of God's forgiveness. For instance, one commentary tradition on 1 John 3:8 notes that sinning is associated with being of the devil, contrasting with being born of God ^[7]. In contrast, the Methodist/Wesleyan perspective, as represented by Adam Clarke's commentary on Ephesians 2:7, emphasizes that God's forgiveness is an example of his grace that encourages believers and serves as a testament to the power of Christ's salvation ^[8].

The biblical concept of forgiveness is also linked to the idea of grace. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, God's throne is described as the "throne of grace," emphasizing the availability of forgiveness and mercy through Christ ^[5]. The Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentary on Psalms 103:3, highlights the richness of divine grace in pardoning iniquities, stressing that forgiveness is a fundamental aspect of God's character and a crucial blessing for believers ^[9].

The historical development of the doctrine of forgiveness is rooted in the Old Testament sacrificial system, where sin-offerings played a crucial role in atoning for sin. The law governing sin-offerings is detailed in Leviticus 4-6:13 and other passages, demonstrating the significance of sacrifice in the context of forgiveness ^[6].

Sources

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.)”
Psalms “Psalms 103:3 (BBE) — He has forgiveness for all your sins; he takes away all your diseases;”
Mark “Most certainly I tell you, all sins of the descendants of man will be forgiven, including their blasphemies with which they may blaspheme; -- Mark 3:28”
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 -”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Grace — God is the God of all -- 1Pe 5:10. God is the Giver of -- Ps 84:11; Jas 1:17. God's throne, the throne of -- Heb 4:16. The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of -- Zec 12:10; Heb 10:29. Was upon Christ -- Lu 2:40; Joh 3:24. Christ spoke with -- Ps 45:2; Lu 4:22. Christ was full of -- Joh 1:14. Came by Christ -- Joh 1:17; Ro 5:15. Given by Christ -- 1Co 1:4. Foretold by the prophets -- 1Pe 1:10. Riches of, exhibited in God's kindness through Christ -- Eph 2:7. Glory of, exhibited in our acceptance in Christ -- Eph 1:6. Is described as Great. -- Ac 4:33. Sovereign. -- R”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin-offering — (Heb. hattath), the law of, is given in detail in Lev. 4-6:13; 9:7-11, 22-24; 12:6-8; 15:2, 14, 25-30; 14:19, 31; Num. 6:10-14. On the day of Atonement it was made with special solemnity (Lev. 16:5, 11, 15). The blood was then carried into the holy of holies and sprinkled on the mercy-seat. Sin-offerings were also presented at the five annual festivals (Num. 28, 29), and on the occasion of the consecration of the priests (Ex. 29:10-14, 36). As each individual, even the most private member of the congregation, as well as the congregation at large, and t”
1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
Ephesians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Ephesians 2:7: That in the ages to come - God has produced us an example, and one which shall be on record through all generations, that he quickens dead souls; that he forgives the sins of the most sinful, when they repent and believe in Christ Jesus. So that what God has done for the sinners at Ephesus will serve as an encouragement to all ages of the world; and on this evidence every preacher of the Gospel may boldly proclaim that Christ saves unto the uttermost all that come unto God through him. And thus the exceeding riches of his grace will appear in the provision he has ”
Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 103:3: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities,.... The psalmist explains here what he means by benefits, and gives a particular enumeration of them; and begins with the blessing of pardon, which is a special and peculiar benefit; it is according to the riches of divine grace, and the multitude of tender mercies; without which all outward blessings signify nothing; and, without a sense of this, a man is not in a suitable and proper frame to bless the Lord; and this being the first benefit a soul sensible of sin, its guilt and is concerned for, and seeks after; so enjoying it, it”

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