“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Bible Verses About Asking For Forgiveness
1. Genesis 50:17 – An appeal for forgiveness is made in this heartfelt moment of reconciliation.
“Say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive the transgression of your brothers and their sin, because they did evil to you.’ And now, please forgive the transgression of the servants of the God of your father.’ And Joseph wept when they spoke to him.” – Genesis 50:17
2. Matthew 6:14-15 – The importance of forgiving others is highlighted here.
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
3. James 5:16 – Confessing our sins leads to healing and forgiveness.
“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” – James 5:16
4. Luke 17:3-4 – This verse reminds us of the obligation to forgive continuously.
“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.” – Luke 17:3-4
5. Mark 11:25 – Our prayers are affected if we hold grudges.
“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Mark 11:25
6. Colossians 3:13 – We are urged to follow Christ’s example in forgiving one another.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
7. Psalms 51:1-2 – A heartfelt plea for God’s forgiveness can lead to restoration.
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” – Psalms 51:1-2
8. Ephesians 4:32 – We are reminded to be compassionate and forgiving.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
9. Luke 23:34 – Even in His last moments, Jesus exemplified forgiveness.
“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’ And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.” – Luke 23:34
10. Isaiah 1:18 – God invites us to leave our sins behind and be cleansed.
“Come now, let us settle the matter,’ says the Lord. ‘Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.'” – Isaiah 1:18
11. 2 Chronicles 7:14 – The promise of healing in response to humility and prayer.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14
12. Matthew 5:23-24 – Our relationships with others and God are interconnected.
“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.” – Matthew 5:23-24
13. Micah 7:18 – God’s desire to pardon our sins emphasizes His mercy.
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy.” – Micah 7:18
14. Acts 3:19 – Repentance leads to refreshing and forgiveness.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” – Acts 3:19
15. John 20:23 – Jesus gives His followers authority to forgive sins.
“If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” – John 20:23
16. Romans 3:23-24 – All have sinned, yet we can be justified freely through grace.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:23-24
17. 1 Peter 5:10 – After suffering, God restores us.
“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” – 1 Peter 5:10
18. Proverbs 28:13 – Acknowledging our sins leads to mercy.
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
19. Job 33:27-28 – A reminder of God’s ability to restore us after sin.
“And he shall sing before men, and say, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not.’ He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.” – Job 33:27-28
20. Psalm 130:3-4 – A plea for help and that forgiveness is found in God.
“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.” – Psalm 130:3-4
21. Hebrews 8:12 – God’s promise to remember our sins no more is a comfort.
“For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” – Hebrews 8:12
22. Matthew 26:28 – Jesus’ blood is shed for the forgiveness of sins.
“This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” – Matthew 26:28
23. 1 Timothy 1:15 – A reminder that Jesus came to save sinners.
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” – 1 Timothy 1:15
24. 2 Peter 3:9 – God’s desire is for everyone to come to repentance.
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” – 2 Peter 3:9
25. Acts 2:38 – Salvation through repentance and baptism in Jesus’ name.
“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” – Acts 2:38
26. Ezekiel 18:30 – Turning away from wrongdoing is necessary for forgiveness.
“Therefore I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.” – Ezekiel 18:30
27. Psalm 51:10 – A prayer to cleanse the heart and spirit.
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” – Psalm 51:10
28. John 3:16 – The ultimate act of love leads to salvation.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
29. Psalm 32:5 – A reflection on confessing sin and receiving forgiveness.
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.” – Psalm 32:5
30. Isaiah 55:7 – The invite to return to God for mercy.
“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.” – Isaiah 55:7
31. 1 John 2:1 – Encouragement about forgiveness for our failures.
“My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” – 1 John 2:1
32. Hebrews 9:22 – The significance of blood in forgiveness.
“In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” – Hebrews 9:22
33. Matthew 18:21-22 – An inquiry about how often to forgive leads to Jesus’ response.
“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times!'” – Matthew 18:21-22
34. Luke 15:18 – The story of the prodigal son expresses repentance and forgiveness.
“I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.” – Luke 15:18
35. 2 Corinthians 5:19 – God through Christ reconciles the world to Himself.
“that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” – 2 Corinthians 5:19
36. Psalm 103:10-12 – God’s forgiveness is vast and merciful.
“He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities. For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” – Psalm 103:10-12
37. Ephesians 1:7 – Redemption through Christ’s blood brings forgiveness.
“In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” – Ephesians 1:7
38. Romans 10:9-10 – Confession leads to salvation.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.” – Romans 10:9-10
39. Hebrews 10:17 – God promises not to remember our sins.
“Then he adds: ‘Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.'” – Hebrews 10:17
40. Revelation 3:19 – The call to repentance aims for restoration.
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.” – Revelation 3:19
Final Thoughts
Asking for forgiveness is an essential part of our relationship with God and with each other. We see throughout the Bible and especially in Jesus’ teachings the importance of humility and recognizing our shortcomings. Each verse we explored reminds us that when we confess and repent, it leads us away from guilt and towards healing. We are not just seeking to be forgiven but also to forgive those who have wronged us. As we reflect on forgiveness in our lives, let’s strive to embody compassion and understanding towards ourselves and others.
If you’ve found this exploration helpful, I encourage you to check out other topics like Bible Verses About Jesus’ Sacrifice or Bible Verses About Temptation. There’s so much more to learn about our faith and its profound messages!