bible verses about forgiving someone
Bible Verses About Forgiving Someone Who Hurt You
Christian forgiveness releases personal revenge and responds to received mercy. It does not automatically restore trust, remove consequences, or require continued access to someone who is harming you.
A place to begin
Calls to forgive are sometimes used to rush pain or silence accountability. These passages place forgiveness alongside truth, patience, and refusal to repay evil with evil; reconciliation and renewed trust require additional conditions.
Three passages to read
01
Ephesians 4:31–32
Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, outcry, and slander be put away from you, with all malice. And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
World English Bible · engwebp-source-2026-09-12
Context
Paul contrasts destructive patterns with kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness grounded in God's forgiveness.
What bitterness can be named honestly before deciding what release could mean?
02
Colossians 3:12–13
Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
World English Bible · engwebp-source-2026-09-12
Context
Forgiveness appears among practices for a chosen community learning patience with one another.
Which part of the grievance concerns revenge, and which part concerns necessary accountability?
03
Romans 12:17–21
Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men. Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.” Therefore “If your enemy is hungry, feed him. If he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.” Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
World English Bible · engwebp-source-2026-09-12
Context
Paul forbids personal repayment of evil and calls believers to pursue peace as far as it depends on them.
What response refuses revenge while still telling the truth about harm?
A simple practice
- Describe the harm without excusing it or enlarging it.
- Separate release of revenge from decisions about trust, contact, and consequences.
- If there is ongoing harm, seek support and make a safety plan before considering renewed contact.
Questions for reading
Does forgiveness require reconciliation?
No. Reconciliation involves more than one person's decision and normally requires truth, repentance, safety, and rebuilding trust.
Does forgiveness remove legal or relational consequences?
No. A person can reject revenge while supporting appropriate consequences, boundaries, and protection of others.