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Nature of Forgiveness in Christianity and its Implications

Forgiveness in Christianity is understood as God's act of pardoning sin, thereby absolving the sinner from the condemnation of the law and removing their liability to eternal wrath [1]. This divine act is freely offered through the gospel [1] and is considered a unique prerogative of God [1, 2]. The concept of forgiveness is closely linked to God's mercy and loving-kindness [7, 8].

The Old Testament highlights God's character as one who forgives iniquity, transgression, and sin [2, 6, 7]. Forgiveness is presented as an act of compassion for the miserable, made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Christ, which aligns mercy with truth and righteousness [8]. The prophet Micah asks, "Who is a God like unto thee, that forgiveth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in loving-kindness" [7]. Similarly, Psalm 78:38 states that God, "being full of pity, has forgiveness for sin, and does not put an end to man: frequently turning back his wrath, and not being violently angry" [6].

In the New Testament, forgiveness is central to the message of the gospel. The apostle Paul preached that "through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins" [15]. This forgiveness is rooted in God's mercy, which is the "spring and original of pardon" [9]. Adam Clarke, a Methodist commentator, emphasizes that the forgiveness of iniquity is provided for by the "immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice," leading to the remission of sins for those who believe with penitent hearts [10].

Forgiveness is often distinguished from justification, though they are related. Forgiveness is described as a constituent part of justification [1]. While pardon is an act of a sovereign granting remission of penalty, justification is the act of a judge that includes pardon and also confers a title to the rewards and blessings of the covenant of life [3, 5]. Justification is a "forensic term" where God pardons sins and accounts believers as righteous, having satisfied the law's demands through Christ [5]. John Gill, a Baptist commentator, notes that forgiveness of sins through Christ's blood and justification by his righteousness are key benefits of the covenant of grace [15].

Christian teaching also extends the concept of forgiveness to human relationships. Believers are commanded to forgive others [4]. Jesus set an example of forgiveness, even on the cross [4]. This command is not limited, with Jesus stating that one should forgive "seventy times seven" [4]. The ability to forgive others is seen as a characteristic of saints and a reflection of a repentant heart [4, 11]. Tyndale House commentary suggests that those who have experienced God's forgiveness will forgive, and an unwillingness to forgive may indicate a lack of perception of God's mercy or true repentance [11].

The apostle Paul exhorts believers to "be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32) [12, 14]. This implies that God's forgiveness of believers serves as the model and motivation for their forgiveness of others [12, 14]. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's commentary on Ephesians 4:32 highlights that God's forgiveness "in Christ" cost Him the death of His Son, contrasting this with the relative ease of forgiving fellow humans [12]. The "end of the commandment" is love, which includes forgiveness, and this love comes through faith in Christ, purifying the heart and offering pardon through His blood [13].

Sources

  1. 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.)”
  2. Exodus “Exodus 34:7 (Webster) — Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear [the guilty]; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, to the third and to the fourth [generation].”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Pardon — The forgiveness of sins granted freely (Isa. 43:25), readily (Neh. 9:17; Ps. 86:5), abundantly (Isa. 55:7; Rom. 5:20). Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission of the penalty due to sin, but securing neither honour nor reward to the pardoned. Justification (q.v.), on the other hand, is the act of a judge, and not of a sovereign, and includes pardon and, at the same time, a title to all the rewards and blessings promised in the covenant of life.”
  4. 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 --”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Justification — A forensic term, opposed to condemnation. As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them as righteous in the eye of the law, i.e., as conformed to all its demands. In addition to the pardon (q.v.) of sin, justification declares that all the claims of the law are satisfied in respect of the justified. It is the act of a judge and not of a sovereign. The law is not relaxed or set aside, but is declared to be fulfilled in the strictest sense; an”
  6. Psalms “Psalms 78:38 (BBE) — But he, being full of pity, has forgiveness for sin, and does not put an end to man: frequently turning back his wrath, and not being violently angry.”
  7. Micah “Micah 7:18 (Darby) — Who is aGod like unto thee, that forgiveth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? He retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in loving-kindness.”
  8. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mercy — Compassion for the miserable. Its object is misery. By the atoning sacrifice of Christ a way is open for the exercise of mercy towards the sons of men, in harmony with the demands of truth and righteousness (Gen. 19:19; Ex. 20:6; 34:6, 7; Ps. 85:10; 86:15, 16). In Christ mercy and truth meet together. Mercy is also a Christian grace (Matt. 5:7; 18:33-35).”
  9. 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”
  10. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 8:12: I will be merciful to their unrighteousness - In order to be their God, as mentioned under the preceding verse, it is requisite that their iniquity should be pardoned; this is provided for by the immolation of Jesus Christ as the covenant sacrifice. By his blood, redemption has been purchased, and all who with penitent hearts believe on the Lord Jesus receive remission of sins, and God remembers their iniquities no more against them so as to punish them on that account. All spiritual evil against the nature and law of God is represented here under the following ter”
  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. 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”
  13. 1 Timothy (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Timothy 1:5: Now the end of the commandment is charity - These genealogical questions lead to strife and debate; and the dispensation of God leads to love both to God and man, through faith in Christ. These genealogical questions leave the heart under the influence of all its vile tempers and evil propensities; Faith in Jesus purifies the heart. No inquiry of this kind can add to any thing by which the guilt of sin can be taken away; but the Gospel proclaims pardon, through the blood of the Lamb, to every believing penitent. The end, aim, and design of God in giving this dispe”
  14. 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).”
  15. Acts (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Acts 13:35: Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren,.... The apostle having discoursed concerning the incarnation of Christ, his death and resurrection, proceeds to take notice of some particular benefits and blessings of grace arising from thence, which are published and made known to the sons of men in the everlasting Gospel, as were now to the Jews by Paul and Barnabas; such as forgiveness of sins through the blood of Christ, and justification by his righteousness; the former of them is mentioned in this verse, the latter in the next: that through this man is preach”
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