Despite being at the core of the Christian faith, forgiveness is nonetheless one of the hardest commands to follow. Peter suggested a generous “seven times” when he asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive someone who had sinned against him. Jesus responded with a radical charge: “Not seven times, but seventy times seven.” Matthew 18:22. Jesus redefined forgiveness as an ongoing, unconditional act of grace that reflects God’s boundless mercy toward us in that moment, expanding it beyond our bounds.
The phrase “70 times 7” refers to unending forgiveness rather than being computed literally. It teaches that a believer should always be forgiving, regardless of how severely we are hurt or how frequently others fail. Jesus exhorts His disciples to repeatedly show mercy, even when it seems unmerited, to prevent cycles of bitterness, revenge, and emotional captivity. A process of healing, true forgiveness releases the heart from resentment and creates space for God’s love to mend what has been damaged.
Scripture contains several verses that repeatedly demonstrate God’s kindness, tolerance, and capacity for forgiveness. These verses not only serve as a reminder of the grace we receive, but they also provide us with the tools necessary to show others the same kindness. By examining Bible passages about “70 times 7,” we learn that forgiveness is not a sign of weakness but rather a potent manifestation of obedience and trust that embodies the essence of Christ. Let these verses encourage you to let go of past wrongs, welcome tranquility, and live each day in the liberation of God’s unending kindness.
40 Inspiring Bible Verses About 70 Times 7 (2025)
1. Matthew 18:21-22
“Then Peter came to Him and said, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy times seven.’”
Here, Jesus introduces a radical standard of forgiveness that surpasses human expectation. Peter believed seven times was generous, yet Christ’s response reveals that divine forgiveness has no numerical limit. Rather than keeping score, believers are called to adopt a lifestyle where grace flows continuously. This verse underscores that true Christian love reflects God’s endless mercy toward us.
2. Colossians 3:13
“Bear with one another and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Paul reminds believers that forgiveness is a reflection of Christ’s character at work in us. Just as we have been forgiven of every sin through grace, we are called to extend that same grace to others. It is not based on merit or deserving but on our identity as recipients of God’s overwhelming mercy.
3. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
This passage emphasizes that kindness and compassion are key expressions of a forgiven heart. Our forgiveness of others is inseparably linked to the forgiveness we have received. In forgiving, we honor Christ’s sacrifice and allow healing to flow into relationships that may otherwise remain broken.
4. Luke 17:3-4
“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”
Jesus teaches perseverance in forgiveness — not out of exhaustion but from a heart aligned with heaven. Forgiveness is a continuous practice, especially among those we love most. This verse challenges us to release resentment repeatedly, knowing that restoration glorifies God.
5. Mark 11:25
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Forgiveness is crucial in our relationship with God. Holding grudges creates spiritual barriers that hinder prayer and fellowship. Jesus calls us to release offenses quickly, recognizing that the posture of our heart affects our connection with the Father. Forgiveness is not optional — it is essential for spiritual growth.
6. Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
Jesus places forgiveness at the center of the Christian life. God’s forgiveness toward us becomes the standard by which we forgive others. Withholding forgiveness suffocates spiritual freedom and blocks our own access to grace. This powerful scripture reminds believers that forgiveness isn’t merely an act of kindness — it’s a direct demonstration of obedience and gratitude for what God has already done for us.
7. Psalm 103:10-12
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities… As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”
David celebrates God’s immeasurable mercy. While humans tend to measure offenses and keep score, God chooses complete separation from our past failures. This verse gives believers a picture of forgiveness that is final and total. When God forgives, He forgets — not out of weakness, but out of abundant love.
8. Isaiah 43:25
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
God declares that His forgiveness is rooted in His divine nature. He blots out sin not because we are deserving, but because forgiveness magnifies His glory. This scripture assures the believer that God chooses to erase our guilt and shame, giving us a clean slate as a reflection of His grace and compassion.
9. Micah 7:18-19
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance?… You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.”
Micah marvels at the uniqueness of God’s forgiveness. Unlike human beings who may forgive reluctantly, God delights in mercy. His compassion is active — He not only pardons, but destroys the power of sin in our lives. Our past mistakes are cast into the deepest spiritual ocean, never to resurface.
10. Daniel 9:9
“The Lord our God is merciful and forgiving, even though we have rebelled against Him.”
Daniel confesses the failures of Israel yet acknowledges that God’s mercy is unwavering. Rebellion does not disqualify us from forgiveness. God’s compassion stands firm even when we fall short. This verse encourages believers that repentance leads to restoration because forgiveness is rooted in who God is — not in our perfection.
11. Matthew 5:23-24
“Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.”
Jesus teaches that forgiveness and reconciliation are matters of worship. Our relationship with God is affected by our relationship with others. Before offering prayers, praise, or service, we are called to pursue peace and resolve conflicts. God desires hearts free from bitterness more than religious rituals.
12. Proverbs 17:9
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
Solomon highlights how forgiveness preserves relationships, while dwelling on offenses destroys trust. Love chooses to overlook mistakes rather than broadcast them. This verse encourages believers to protect unity by showing grace and refusing to rehearse past wrongs.
13. Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.”
Jesus links forgiveness directly to spiritual freedom. When we release others from judgment and condemnation, we position ourselves to receive abundant mercy. A heart that forgives is a heart aligned with the kingdom of God — open, generous, and free from the weight of resentment.
14. Matthew 6:12
“And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus places forgiveness at the center of daily life. Just as we continually receive God’s mercy, we are to continually extend it. This verse teaches believers that forgiveness is not a one-time act but a continuous posture that reflects our gratitude for God’s grace.
15. Romans 12:17-18
“Do not repay anyone evil for evil… If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”
Paul urges believers to reject retaliation and pursue peace, even when wronged. Forgiveness often means choosing restraint rather than revenge. This scripture teaches that while reconciliation may sometimes be difficult, our responsibility is to cultivate peace and refuse to let bitterness take root.
16. Romans 5:8
“But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
This verse roots forgiveness in divine love rather than human merit. Before we ever turned to God, Christ’s sacrificial death secured our pardon — demonstrating that forgiveness is initiated by God’s heart toward the undeserving. When forgiveness is grounded in such costly love, it reshapes how we view others’ failures and our calling to extend mercy.
17. 1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
John promises that confession opens the way to cleansing and restoration. Forgiveness is not an abstract doctrine but a living reality that restores relationship and moral standing before God. This assurance frees believers from shame and propels them toward holiness, knowing God’s forgiveness truly removes the stain of sin.
18. Hebrews 8:12
“For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.”
Quoted from the prophecy of a new covenant, this promise underscores the finality of God’s pardon under Christ. The new covenant establishes forgiveness that is decisive and irrevocable — God chooses to stop counting our debts. That catastrophic erasure of sin becomes the model for how disciples should release offenses.
19. Psalm 86:5
“For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon you.”
David’s prayer highlights God’s character: goodness, abundant mercy, and responsiveness to the repentant heart. Forgiveness is portrayed as an overflow of God’s loving nature, always available to those who turn to Him. This encourages confidence in approaching God when we — or others — need mercy.
20. Acts 3:19
“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.”
Peter ties repentance directly to the erasure of sin. Forgiveness is not merely legal acquittal; it requires a turning of the heart and life toward God. This verse calls people to a tangible reorientation that results in cleansing and renewal.
21. James 5:16
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”
James links communal confession and mutual prayer with spiritual and relational healing. Forgiveness often happens within the body of Christ as believers humbly share failures and intercede for each other. This practice creates an environment where mercy circulates and wounds are mended.
22. 1 Peter 4:8
“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”
Peter teaches that active, persevering love obscures offenses and prevents them from festering. Love’s covering doesn’t ignore truth; it chooses restoration and restraint over exposure and revenge. When love rules, counting offenses becomes secondary to pursuing healing.
23. Matthew 18:23-35
“A king wished to settle accounts with his servants… one servant begged for patience and was forgiven a great debt, but then refused to forgive a fellow servant. The king, hearing this, punished him.”
This parable starkly connects God’s mercy with our responsibility to be merciful. The forgiven servant’s hypocrisy illustrates how easy it is to accept grace intellectually while refusing to practice it relationally. Jesus warns that receiving forgiveness without extending it corrodes the authenticity of our faith and invites God’s corrective justice.
24. Luke 23:34
“And Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.’”
From the cross, Christ models forgiveness under the most extreme injustice. His plea for the very ones who crucified him reveals forgiveness as a divine posture of compassion, even toward persecutors. This example sets the Christian standard: forgiveness can be a redemptive response that transcends human limits.
25. John 20:23
“If you forgive anyone’s sins, they are forgiven; if you withhold forgiveness, it is withheld.”
Jesus grants the church a ministry of reconciliation tied to the wider reality of divine forgiveness. While this text has theological depth about authority and the Spirit’s work, practically it underscores how church discipline, proclamation of the gospel, and acts of mercy participate in God’s reconciling work. The community’s disposition toward forgiveness matters.
26. 2 Corinthians 2:7-8
“So you should rather turn to forgive and comfort him, or he may be overwhelmed… reaffirm your love to him.”
Paul urges the Corinthian church to restore a repentant brother with forgiveness and consolation. Discipline without restoration can crush; mercy without truth can enable. Healthy church life balances correction with loving rehabilitation, demonstrating how forgiveness rebuilds community.
27. Galatians 6:1
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.”
Paul frames restoration as the aim when confronting sin, not shame or public humiliation. Forgiveness in this context is a careful, humble activity that seeks to heal rather than condemn. The “spirit of gentleness” keeps the focus on recovery and reintegration into the family of faith.
28. Matthew 7:1-2
“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged.”
Jesus links judgmentalism to a reciprocal standard that endangers our own standing. A forgiving spirit resists quick condemnation and acknowledges human frailty. When we withhold mercy and presume to judge, we forfeit the attitude of humility that opens the door to receiving God’s mercy ourselves.
29. Romans 14:10-13
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother?… Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”
Paul urges Christians to prioritize mutual care over righteous posturing. Forgiveness here becomes an act of protecting others’ consciences and unity. The community that forgives removes obstacles to growth and fosters an atmosphere where grace, not condemnation, shapes conduct.
30. Ephesians 1:7
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.”
Paul celebrates forgiveness as the fruit of Christ’s redemptive work and the measure of God’s lavish grace. Forgiveness is presented as a present possession for believers — not merely a future hope — and its source is the riches of God’s unmerited favor. Understanding forgiveness this way empowers believers to extend grace generously.
31. Psalm 32:1
“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.”
David declares forgiveness as the true foundation of blessedness. Joy does not come from perfection, but from knowing that God has covered our failures. When sin is forgiven, guilt loses its power, and peace takes its place. Forgiveness becomes the gateway to genuine happiness and freedom.
32. Psalm 130:3-4
“If you, Lord, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”
This passage recognizes universal human guilt. If God held every sin against us, none would survive His judgment. But forgiveness makes worship possible — our reverence flows not from fear of condemnation but from awe at His mercy. Grace draws us into deeper devotion.
33. Proverbs 10:12
“Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses.”
Solomon exposes the cycle of bitterness — hatred multiplies conflict, while love breaks it. Forgiveness becomes an active weapon against division. Choosing grace disables hostility and restores unity, proving that love is stronger than every offense.
34. Zechariah 7:9
“Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another.”
God commands His people to embody justice wrapped in mercy. Righteousness is not merely legal fairness but compassionate action. Forgiveness displays a justice that redeems instead of destroying. This verse strengthens the call to balance accountability with grace.
35. Matthew 18:15
“If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.”
Jesus teaches a restorative approach to conflict. Instead of public exposure or gossip, forgiveness begins with a private pursuit of reconciliation. Addressing offenses directly and lovingly protects dignity and creates space for relationships to heal.
36. 1 Corinthians 13:5
“Love… keeps no record of wrongs.”
Paul defines love as release — refusing to store up past offenses. True love doesn’t weaponize memory. This verse models forgiveness as a decision to stop counting failures and instead choose grace as the ongoing language of relationship.
37. Proverbs 19:11
“Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.”
Wise people show patience and restraint, valuing peace over pride. Overlooking an offense doesn’t minimize hurt; it magnifies godly character. This verse highlights that forgiveness is not weakness — it is a glorious expression of strength and self-control.
38. Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.”
Jesus emphasizes that mercy is both a gift we give and a blessing we receive. A forgiving heart positions itself under a continuous flow of divine favor. When mercy becomes our lifestyle, God’s compassion becomes our constant reward.
39. Ephesians 4:31
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.”
Paul urges believers to remove every toxic root that opposes forgiveness. Bitterness distorts the heart and poisons relationships. This verse calls for a deliberate cleansing — letting go of destructive emotions so that grace and peace can thrive.
40. 1 Corinthians 16:14
“Let all that you do be done in love.”
Paul establishes love as the foundation of the believer’s life. Forgiveness is love in action — a reflection of God’s heart moving through us. When love motivates every decision, offense loses control, reconciliation becomes possible, and unity flourishes.
Conclusion
Jesus reminds us that forgiveness is necessary for our spiritual development and tranquility, even though it is not always simple. The “70 times seven” invitation to forgiveness pushes us to let go of resentment and let God’s grace transform our hearts. Every time we decide to forgive, we free ourselves from the bonds of bitterness and follow Christ’s model of unwavering love. These verses are a potent reminder that forgiveness is a way of life that reflects God’s boundless mercy toward us, not just an act.
May you have the fortitude, bravery, and compassion to show grace wherever it is required as you consider these biblical passages. God has shown us far more forgiveness than we deserve, and He extends an invitation for us to show others the same kindness. We experience healing, restoration, and a closer relationship with God when we walk in forgiveness. Let these facts offer you the ability to love completely, forgive freely, and experience the freedom that comes from Christ’s boundless compassion.
