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What the Bible Says About Forgiveness of Injuries

Overview

The Bible addresses forgiveness of injuries across 20 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew and Genesis. Closely related themes include Charitableness, Creditor, Talent and Debtor. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joseph.

Key Bible verses about forgiveness of injuries

Old Testament

Genesis

Genesis 45:5

Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. nor: Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes

Genesis 45:6

For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

Genesis 45:7

And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. to preserve: Heb. to put for you a remnant

Genesis 45:8

So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

Genesis 45:9

Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

Genesis 45:10

And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

Genesis 45:11

And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

New Testament

Matthew

Matthew 18:23

Therefore is the kingdom of heaven likened unto a certain king, which would take account of his servants.

Matthew 18:24

And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought unto him, which owed him ten thousand talents. talents: a talent is.ounces of silver, which after five shillings the ounce is.li..s.

Matthew 18:25

But forasmuch as he had not to pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, and his wife, and children, and all that he had, and payment to be made.

Matthew 18:26

The servant therefore fell down, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, have patience with me, and I will pay thee all. worshipped him: or, besought him

Matthew 18:27

Then the lord of that servant was moved with compassion, and loosed him, and forgave him the debt.

Matthew 18:28

But the same servant went out, and found one of his fellowservants, which owed him an hundred pence: and he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying, Pay me that thou owest. pence: the Roman penny is the eighth part of an ounce, which after five shillings the ounce is seven pence halfpenny; about fourteen cents

Matthew 18:29

And his fellowservant fell down at his feet, and besought him, saying, Have patience with me, and I will pay thee all.

Matthew 18:30

And he would not: but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the debt.

Matthew 18:31

So when his fellowservants saw what was done, they were very sorry, and came and told unto their lord all that was done.

Matthew 18:32

Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me:

Matthew 18:33

Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?

Matthew 18:34

And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him.

Matthew 18:35

So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.

People in the Bible and forgiveness of injuries

Biblical figures whose stories intersect with this theme.

In the Bible dictionary

Studying forgiveness of injuries for yourself

  • Begin with Genesis 45:5, then read the passages below in canonical order.
  • Compare how Matthew and Genesis each treat the theme.
  • Consider the lives of Joseph and how their stories intersect with it.
  • Widen the study to related themes: Charitableness, Creditor, Talent and Debtor.

Frequently asked questions

What does the Bible say about forgiveness of injuries?

The Bible addresses forgiveness of injuries across 20 verses, drawn from both the Old and New Testaments. These passages cluster most in Matthew and Genesis. Closely related themes include Charitableness, Creditor, Talent and Debtor. Figures whose stories touch this theme include Joseph.

How many Bible verses are about forgiveness of injuries?

The Bible references forgiveness of injuries in 20 verses (King James Version).

Where does the Bible first mention forgiveness of injuries?

In canonical order, the first of these passages is Genesis 45:5: “Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. nor: Heb. neither let there be anger in your eyes”

Which people in the Bible are associated with forgiveness of injuries?

Joseph.

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