Bible Verses About Forgiveness: Given and Received
Forgiveness in the Bible runs two ways. God forgives you, completely, when you confess. And because you’ve been forgiven so much, you’re called to forgive the people who hurt you. In recovery both matter, because unforgiven guilt and unforgiven grudges can each pull you back toward the bottle.
Receiving it
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
The condition is simple: confess. Not explain, not earn, not wait until you feel worthy. God is faithful and just to forgive. He keeps His word.
“He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.”
East never meets west. You can travel east forever and never start heading west. That’s how far God puts your sins away from you. He doesn’t keep a file.
““Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.”
“Come now, and let us reason together.” God invites you to talk it through. Scarlet was the hardest stain to get out of cloth. He says He can make it white.
If guilt over specific things you did is still heavy, read Bible verses about guilt next.
Passing it on
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”
Bitterness, wrath and clamor all have to go. The reason is right at the end: God forgave you first. You give what you got.
“…bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”
“If any man have a quarrel against any.” Paul admits you may have a real complaint. Some of the people who hurt you really did wrong. Forgive anyway, as Christ forgave you.
“Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.”
Peter thought seven times was generous. Jesus said seventy times seven. In other words, stop counting. Some grudges you’ll have to let go of again every morning for a while.
Resentment is a heavy thing to carry sober
“And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.””
Jesus links prayer and forgiveness. If you stand praying and something against someone comes to mind, let it go right there. Resentment blocks the line. Writing these grudges down is a big part of Step 4, and you can learn more about resentment here.
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
These are hard words. Jesus means them. A heart that won’t release others is closing a door it needs open.
““Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;”
Judge not, condemn not, forgive. Many of us were quick to judge others to cover what we were doing ourselves. Sobriety gives you a chance to be a different kind of person.
The hardest example
“And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.”
Jesus prayed this while they were still hurting Him. If you can’t forgive someone yet, start here: ask God to forgive them, even before you feel like it.
A prayer for both directions
“Father, thank You for forgiving me. I don’t deserve it, and I’m grateful. Now help me do the same. I name before You the person I’m holding on to. I let go of my right to get even. Keep me wise about trust, and soften my heart. Amen.”
One thing to do this week
Write down the name of one person you resent. Pray for them by name each day for a week, even if the prayer is short and you don’t mean it yet. Notice what changes in you.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
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Common questions
Do I have to forgive someone who isn't sorry?
Jesus forgave people who were still nailing Him to a cross. Forgiveness is letting go of your right to get even. It doesn't need their apology, and it doesn't mean you have to trust them again.
Does forgiving mean I have to let them back into my life?
No. Forgiveness and trust are different. You can release the debt and still keep healthy boundaries, especially with someone who is unsafe or still drinking.
Why is forgiveness such a big deal in recovery?
Many people in recovery find that old grudges are among their strongest pulls back toward drinking. Holding on to them keeps you stuck in the past. Letting them go frees up room for peace.
Talk it through with Jimmy or Sarah — first month free
Jimmy and Sarah are AI sponsors who know the Twelve Steps and the Bible. They'll listen, walk the steps with you, and keep pointing you to real people: a meeting, a sponsor, a church.
Free to download · first month free, no card · adults 18+
After the first month, talking with Jimmy or Sarah needs Plus ($9.99/month or $59.99/year).
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