20+ Bible Verses About Forgiving Others Who Hurt You
Updated At:
June 12, 2025
Forgiveness is one of the most difficult acts of faith. When someone deeply hurts us, our natural response is often to protect ourselves or seek justice. But the Bible calls us to something higher: grace, mercy, and the power to forgive, even when it’s hard.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting or pretending the pain didn’t happen. It means releasing bitterness, choosing peace, and trusting God to bring justice in His time. The Bible gives us timeless, powerful guidance on forgiving others, just as Christ forgave us.
Whether you're holding onto resentment, struggling to let go of betrayal, or trying to move forward after being wounded, these 20+ Bible verses about forgiving others who hurt you (KJV) will help you walk the path of healing with God’s truth.
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How to Forgive Others According to the Bible
Forgiving others is a spiritual discipline, and the Bible provides a clear model for how to do it:
- Remember how much you've been forgiven – Ephesians 4:32 reminds us to forgive as God forgave us. Reflection on God's mercy fosters humility and grace.
- Let go of revenge – Romans 12:19 tells us, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” True forgiveness releases the offender into God's hands.
- Pray for those who hurt you – Matthew 5:44 teaches us to love and pray for our enemies. Prayer helps soften our hearts and break the chains of bitterness.
- Forgive repeatedly and sincerely – Matthew 18:22 shows that forgiveness is not a one-time event but an ongoing posture of grace.
- Forgive with love and gentleness – Colossians 3:13 and Galatians 6:1 instruct us to forgive with compassion, restoring others rather than condemning them.
- Guard your heart from bitterness – Hebrews 12:15 warns that unforgiveness becomes a “root of bitterness,” damaging you and others around you.
Forgiveness is not weakness, it is spiritual strength. It reflects the heart of Jesus, who prayed for His executioners even from the cross.
Bible Verses About Forgiving Others Who Hurt You
1. Ephesians 4:32
“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Explanation: We are called to reflect God's kindness and forgiveness, even when it's difficult.
2. Matthew 6:14–15
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you…”
Explanation: Forgiveness is not just a gift we give others—it's part of receiving God's grace.
3. Colossians 3:13
“…forgiving one another… even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”
Explanation: Forgiveness is part of living like Christ. It’s an act of obedience and love.
4. Luke 6:37
“Forgive, and ye shall be forgiven.”
Explanation: A forgiving spirit opens the door to receive God’s blessings and freedom.
5. Matthew 18:21–22
“Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me… Until seventy times seven.”
Explanation: Jesus calls us to forgive without keeping count—because God's mercy is endless.
6. Mark 11:25
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any…”
Explanation: Forgiveness clears the way for an unhindered relationship with God.
7. Romans 12:19
“Avenge not yourselves… vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”
Explanation: Releasing someone from our anger allows God to work justice His way.
8. Proverbs 17:9
“He that covereth a transgression seeketh love…”
Explanation: Forgiveness is an act of love that fosters unity, not division.
9. Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”
Explanation: God’s complete forgiveness is the model for how we let go of others’ wrongs.
10. 1 Peter 4:8
“Charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”
Explanation: Love helps us forgive and overlook offenses in others.
11. Isaiah 43:25
“I… will not remember thy sins.”
Explanation: God chooses to forget our sins—we should learn to do the same for others.
12. Matthew 5:44
“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you…”
Explanation: True forgiveness expresses itself in love and blessing, not retaliation.
13. Luke 17:3–4
“…if he trespass… and turn again to thee… forgive him.”
Explanation: We are called to forgive again and again, just as God forgives us daily.
14. Micah 7:18–19
“He delighteth in mercy.”
Explanation: Forgiveness brings God joy—He desires to show mercy, and so should we.
15. James 2:13
“…he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy…”
Explanation: A merciless heart will struggle to receive grace from God.
16. Galatians 6:1
“…restore such an one in the spirit of meekness…”
Explanation: Forgiveness is about restoration, not humiliation or punishment.
17. Job 42:10
“The Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends.”
Explanation: Job’s healing began with forgiveness—so can yours.
18. 2 Corinthians 2:7
“…forgive him, and comfort him…”
Explanation: Forgiveness includes emotional healing and compassion for those who repent.
19. Hebrews 12:14–15
“…lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you…”
Explanation: Holding onto hurt poisons your spirit; forgiveness pulls the root out.
20. Genesis 50:20
“Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good…”
Explanation: Joseph forgave betrayal by seeing God’s greater plan.
21. Acts 7:60
“Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.”
Explanation: Stephen forgave his killers, modeling the ultimate example of grace.
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