Definition and Importance
Forgiving, in the biblical context, refers to the act of pardoning an offender and releasing them from the penalty of their wrongdoing. It is a central tenet of Christian doctrine, reflecting the character of God and the teachings of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness is not merely a suggestion but a commandment for believers, emphasizing the importance of grace, mercy, and reconciliation in the Christian life.

Biblical Foundation
The concept of forgiveness is deeply rooted in Scripture, beginning with God's own nature. In Exodus 34:6-7, God describes Himself as "compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This foundational understanding of God's forgiving nature sets the stage for the expectation that His followers will also forgive.

Teachings of Jesus
Jesus Christ emphasized forgiveness in His teachings, making it a hallmark of Christian discipleship. In the Lord's Prayer, He instructs His followers to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). This prayer highlights the reciprocal nature of forgiveness; believers are to forgive others as they have been forgiven by God.

In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter asks Jesus how many times he should forgive a brother who sins against him, suggesting "up to seven times?" Jesus responds, "I tell you, not just seven times, but seventy-seven times" , indicating that forgiveness should be limitless and ongoing.

Parables and Illustrations
Jesus often used parables to illustrate the importance of forgiveness. The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:23-35) is a poignant example. In this account, a servant who is forgiven a massive debt by his master refuses to forgive a fellow servant a much smaller debt. The master, upon hearing this, revokes his forgiveness and punishes the unforgiving servant. This parable underscores the expectation that those who have received God's forgiveness must extend it to others.

Apostolic Teachings
The apostles continued to teach the importance of forgiveness in the early church. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, writes, "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). Similarly, in Colossians 3:13, he instructs believers to "bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you" .

Forgiveness and Reconciliation
Forgiveness is often the first step toward reconciliation, though the two are distinct. Forgiveness is a personal decision to release resentment and the desire for retribution, while reconciliation involves the restoration of a broken relationship. Romans 12:18 advises, "If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone" , suggesting that while forgiveness is always required, reconciliation depends on the willingness of both parties.

Challenges and Rewards
Forgiving others can be challenging, especially when the offense is severe. However, Scripture promises spiritual and emotional rewards for those who forgive. Jesus states in Matthew 6:14-15, "For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive yours" . This passage highlights the spiritual necessity of forgiveness for maintaining a right relationship with God.

Conclusion
Forgiveness is a vital aspect of Christian living, reflecting the grace and mercy of God. It is a commandment that requires believers to extend the same forgiveness they have received from God to others, fostering peace, healing, and unity within the body of Christ.1. (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Forgive.

2. (a.) Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild; merciful; compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper.

2436. hileos -- propitious
... propitious. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: hileos Phonetic Spelling:
(hil'-eh-oce) Short Definition: propitious, forgiving Definition: propitious ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2436.htm - 7k

5483. charizomai -- to show favor, give freely
... Word Origin from charis Definition to show favor, give freely NASB Word Usage bestowed
(1), forgave (2), forgive (3), forgiven (4), forgiving (2), freely give ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5483.htm - 8k

3781. opheiletes -- a debtor
... For the , 3781 ("being a ") where Christ paid . He extends release to us, forgiving
the penalty for each time we His gift of life rather than it. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3781.htm - 7k

5546. callach -- ready to forgive, forgiving
... callach. 5546a . ready to forgive, forgiving. Transliteration: callach Phonetic
Spelling: (saw-lawkh') Short Definition: forgiving. placable, ready to forgive ...
/hebrew/5546.htm - 5k

5546a. sallach -- ready to forgive, forgiving
... 5546, 5546a. sallach. 5546b . ready to forgive, forgiving. Transliteration:
sallach Short Definition: forgive. Word Origin from ...
/hebrew/5546a.htm - 5k

5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... 1), exalt (2), exalted (9), exalting (2), favor* (1), fetch (1), forgave (2), forget
(1), forgive (8), forgiven (3), forgives (1), forgiving (2), found (3 ...
/hebrew/5375.htm - 8k

The Forgiving Spirit in Prayer
... PART III. SOME ASPECTS OF THE WAY OF PRAYER XXI. THE FORGIVING SPIRIT
IN PRAYER. "Lord, teach us to pray.""Luke 11:1. "When ye ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxi the forgiving spirit in.htm

Invitation. CM The Forgiving One.
... 104 Invitation. CM The Forgiving One. The Forgiving One. (232) What grace,
O Lord! and beauty shone Around thy steps below! What ...
/.../lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/104 invitation c m the forgiving.htm

Christ's Example in Forgiving.
... CHRIST; HIS CHARACTER AND OFFICES. 251. " Christ's Example in Forgiving.
251. LM H. Ballou. Christ's Example in Forgiving. 1 ...
/.../adams/hymns for christian devotion/251 christs example in.htm

Christ, by Forgiving Our Sins, Opened the Way to Our Home.
... Book I. Chapter 17."Christ, by Forgiving Our Sins, Opened the Way to Our
Home. 16. Further, when we are on the way, and that not ...
/.../on christian doctrine in four books /chapter 17 christ by forgiving our.htm

Fourteenth Lesson. When Ye Stand Praying, Forgive;'
... The first lesson taught here is that of a forgiving disposition. ... The deep
sure ground of answer to prayer is God's forgiving love. ...
/.../murray/with christ in the school of prayer/fourteenth lesson when ye stand.htm

'Forgive us Our Debts'
... In a very real sense our forgiving is the condition of our being forgiven. ...
The possession of God's forgiveness will make us forgiving. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/forgive us our debts.htm

Ephesians iv. 32 and v. 1, 2
... 32 and v. 1, 2. Ephesians iv.32 and v.1, 2 "And be ye kind one to another, tender
hearted, forgiving each other, even as God also in Christ forgave you. ...
/.../homily xvii ephesians iv 32.htm

Luke x. The Latter Part of the 25Th Verse.
... Pain of Damnation, to relinquish, and forsake; and lastly, since there is so much
said in the Gospel of the peculiar Necessity of this forgiving Temper towards ...
/.../sermon v luke x the.htm

Unprofitable Servants.
... The duty of forgiving a repenting injurer is not modified by the frequency of his
sin; the form of the expression "seven times in a day," is manifestly ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvii unprofitable servants.htm

Israel Returning
... verses 1 to 3 the very essence of true return to God is set forth in the prayer
which Israel is exhorted to offer, while in verses 4 to 8 the forgiving love of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/israel returning.htm

Forgiving (11 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Disposed to forgive; inclined to overlook offenses; mild; merciful;
compassionate; placable; as, a forgiving temper. ...Forgiving (11 Occurrences). ...
/f/forgiving.htm - 10k

Forgiveness (124 Occurrences)
... (see JUSTIFICATION.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. 1. (n.) The act of forgiving; the
state of being forgiven; as, the forgiveness of sin or of injuries. ...
/f/forgiveness.htm - 68k

Lovingkindness (176 Occurrences)
... the English Revised Version "plenteous in mercy")"; (34:7) "keeping lovingkindness
(the English Revised Version "mercy") for thousands, forgiving iniquity and ...
/l/lovingkindness.htm - 40k

Visiting (10 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Exodus 34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and
disobedience and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the ...
/v/visiting.htm - 10k

Unpunished (24 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience
and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the ...
/u/unpunished.htm - 13k

Forgave (13 Occurrences)
... Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving each other,
just as God also in Christ forgave you. (WEB ASV RSV NIV). ...
/f/forgave.htm - 10k

Rebellion (51 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience
and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the ...
/r/rebellion.htm - 22k

Mercy (467 Occurrences)
... oiktirmos, "pity," "compassion," occurs a few times, also oiktirmon, "pitiful,"
eleemon, "kind," "compassionate," twice; hileos, "forgiving," and anileos, "not ...
/m/mercy.htm - 43k

Merciful (53 Occurrences)
... oiktirmos, "pity," "compassion," occurs a few times, also oiktirmon, "pitiful,"
eleemon, "kind," "compassionate," twice; hileos, "forgiving," and anileos, "not ...
/m/merciful.htm - 28k

Clearing (11 Occurrences)
... Exodus 34:7 keeping mercy unto thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and
sin, but by no means clearing the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the ...
/c/clearing.htm - 11k

What does the Bible say about forgiving yourself / self-forgiveness? | GotQuestions.org

What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven? | GotQuestions.org

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Forgiving: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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