Saying “I’m sorry” requires humility and sincerity, but it’s an essential step toward healing and reconciliation. The Bible emphasizes the importance of repentance and forgiveness. Today, we’ll reflect on verses that teach us how to seek and extend forgiveness in meaningful ways.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Fake Love
Bible Verses About Being Sorry
2 Chronicles 7:14 – Humility invites God’s forgiveness
“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
Acts 3:19 – True repentance leads to refreshing
“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
Psalm 51:17 – A contrite heart pleases God
“My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” – Psalm 51:17
Matthew 5:4 – Grieving sin brings comfort
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.” – Matthew 5:4
1 John 1:9 – Confession brings cleansing
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
Isaiah 55:7 – God invites the wicked to return
“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
Proverbs 28:13 – Hidden sins lead to downfall
“Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” – Proverbs 28:13
Luke 15:10 – Joy in heaven over repentance
“In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” – Luke 15:10
James 4:7-8 – Draw closer to God, repent
“Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” – James 4:7-8
Romans 2:4 – God’s kindness leads to repentance
“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” – Romans 2:4
Luke 17:3-4 – Forgiveness towards others
“So watch yourselves. 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
2 Corinthians 7:10 – Godly sorrow brings repentance
“Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:10
Matthew 3:8 – Fruits of true repentance
“Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” – Matthew 3:8
Ezekiel 18:30 – A call to turn from sin
“Therefore you Israelites, 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
Galatians 6:1 – Restoring the sinner with gentleness
“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1
Matthew 26:75 – Peter’s remorse illustrates true sorrow
“Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: ‘Before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.’ And he went outside and wept bitterly.” – Matthew 26:75
Hebrews 12:1 – Lay aside sin and pursue holiness
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” – Hebrews 12:1
Colossians 3:13 – Forgive as the Lord forgave
“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
Isaiah 1:18 – God invites us to reason together
“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
Jeremiah 3:22 – Return to God for healing
“Return, faithless people; I will cure you of your backsliding.” – Jeremiah 3:22
Proverbs 24:16 – A righteous man rises after falling
“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” – Proverbs 24:16
Job 42:6 – Repentance brings restoration
“Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” – Job 42:6
Romans 12:1 – Offering ourselves in repentance
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.” – Romans 12:1
Psalm 32:5 – Acknowledging sin leads to 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
Proverbs 19:3 – Foolishness leads to strife
“A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.” – Proverbs 19:3
Matthew 7:3 – Examine our own faults
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” – Matthew 7:3
Romans 14:10 – We all stand before God’s judgment
“You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.” – Romans 14:10
Philippians 3:13-14 – Pressing on towards the goal
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14
Luke 6:37 – Judging not to be judged
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged; do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Psalms 138:8 – God perfects that which concerns us
“The Lord will vindicate me; your love, Lord, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.” – Psalms 138:8
1 Corinthians 10:13 – God provides a way out
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.” – 1 Corinthians 10:13