God's Mercy and Forgiveness in Repentance

The concept of God's mercy and forgiveness is deeply intertwined with the idea of repentance in biblical teachings. Sirach emphasizes God's compassionate nature, stating that "God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation" ^[1]. This theme is echoed in various biblical passages, highlighting God's willingness to pardon those who turn to Him ^{[2, 3]}.

Repentance is a crucial step in receiving God's forgiveness. According to Easton's Bible Dictionary, true repentance involves a change of mind and purpose, leading to a change in life, and it is to this that remission of sin is promised ^[9]. The biblical basis for this understanding can be seen in passages such as Ezekiel 18:30-32 and Acts 17:30, which command repentance to all by God ^[8].

The relationship between God's mercy and forgiveness is also underscored in the biblical text. Numbers 14:18 describes God as "long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression" ^[5]. Similarly, Psalms 78:38 portrays God as merciful, pardoning iniquity, and not destroying, often turning back His anger ^[6]. The Psalmist further extols God's merciful nature, stating that "The Lord is mercifull and righteous, and our God is full of compassion" ^[7].

The atonement effected by Christ is seen as a demonstration of God's mercy and love. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, the atonement "exhibits the Grace and mercy of God" and reconciles the justice and mercy of God ^[10]. This understanding is rooted in biblical passages such as Romans 5:8 and 1 John 4:9-10, which highlight God's love and mercy in sending Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

In the context of repentance, God's forgiveness is not limited. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that forgiveness is to be unlimited, as exemplified in Christ's teachings ^[4]. The Lord's Prayer, as recorded in Matthew 6:14-15, also emphasizes the importance of forgiving others in order to receive forgiveness from God.

The theological understanding of God's mercy and forgiveness in repentance is further illuminated by the commentary of John Calvin on Isaiah, which highlights God's merciful nature in pardoning sin ^[11]. Similarly, John Gill's commentary on Hebrews 8:12 underscores the merciful character of God in forgiving unrighteousness ^[12].

The biblical narrative consistently portrays God as a merciful and forgiving deity, who desires the repentance and salvation of sinners. As Sirach 17:28 states, "How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him!" ^[2]. This theme is a testament to the enduring nature of God's mercy and forgiveness, available to those who repent and turn to Him.

The connection between God's mercy and the act of forgiveness is also seen in the prophetic literature. Daniel 9:9 attributes "Compassion and forgiveness" to the Lord, emphasizing that these attributes belong to Him ^[3]. Adam Clarke's commentary on this verse further explains that from God's goodness flow mercies, and from His mercies, forgivenesses ^[13].

Sources

Sirach “Sirach 2:13 (DRC) — For God is compassionate and merciful, and will forgive sins in the day of tribulation: and he is a protector to all that seek him in truth.”
Sirach “Sirach 17:28 (DRC) — How great is the mercy of the Lord, and his forgiveness to them that turn to him !”
Daniel “Daniel 9:9 (LEB) — ⌞Compassion and forgiveness belong to the Lord, our God⌟, for we have rebelled against him,”
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 --”
Numbers “Numbers 14:18 (Webster) — The LORD [is] long-suffering, and of great mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression, and by no means clearing [the guilty], visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children to the third and fourth [generation].”
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.”
Psalms “Psalms 116:5 (Geneva1599) — The Lord is mercifull and righteous, and our God is full of compassion.”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Repentance — What it is -- Isa 45:22; Mt 6:19-21; Ac 14:15; 2Co 5:17; Col 3:2; 1Th 1:9; Heb 12:1,2. Commanded to all by God -- Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30. Commanded by Christ -- Re 2:5,16; 3:3. Given by God -- Ac 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. Christ came to call sinners to -- Mt 9:13. Christ exalted to give -- Ac 5:31. By the operation of the Holy Spirit -- Zec 12:10. Called repentance to life -- Ac 11:18. Called repentance to salvation -- 2Co 7:10. We should be led to, by The long-suffering of God. -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9. The goodness of God. -- Ro 2:4. The chastisements of Go”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Repentance — There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Matt. 27:3). (2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised. Evangelical”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Atonement, The — Explained -- Ro 5:8-11; 2Co 5:18,19; Ga 1:4; 1Jo 2:2; 4:10. Foreordained -- Ro 3:25; 1Pe 1:11,20; Re 13:8. Foretold -- Isa 53:4-6,8-12; Da 9:24-27; Zec 13:1,7; Joh 11:50,51. Effected by Christ alone -- Joh 1:29,36; Ac 4:10,12; 1Th 1:10; 1Ti 2:5,6; Heb 2:9; 1Pe 2:24. Was voluntary -- Ps 40:6-8; Heb 10:5-9; Joh 10:11,15,17,18. Exhibits the Grace and mercy of God. -- Ro 8:32; Eph 2:4,5,7; 1Ti 2:4; Heb 2:9. Love of God. -- Ro 5:8; 1Jo 4:9,10. Love of Christ. -- Joh 15:13; Ga 2:20; Eph 5:2,25; Re 1:5. Reconciles the justice and mercy of God -- Isa 45:21; ”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 8:12: For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness,.... That is, sin; for all unrighteousness is sin, being contrary to the justice of God, and his righteous law: and the phrase is expressive of God's forgiveness of it, which is a very considerable article of the covenant of grace; mercy is the spring and original of pardon; it is what God delights in, and therefore he pardons freely; it is large and abundant, and hence he pardons fully; and this lays a foundation for hope in sensible sinners: and the way and means, in and by which God pardons, is the propitiatory sacri”
Daniel (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Daniel 9:9: Mercies and forgivenesses - From God's goodness flow God's mercies; from his mercies, forgivenesses.”

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