Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Your Enemies?
16 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Forgiving Your Enemies in the Bible
Discover 17 powerful Bible verses about forgiving your enemies. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential love & relationships topic.
Top 10 Verses About Forgiving Your Enemies
- 1Proverbs 19:11
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence”
KJV - 2Matthew 5:43
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.”
KJV - 3Matthew 5:44
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
KJV - 4Matthew 6:14
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
KJV - 5Matthew 18:15
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
KJV - 6Matthew 18:21
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
KJV - 7Mark 11:25
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
KJV - 8
- 9Luke 17:3
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
KJV - 10Luke 23:34
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Your Enemies? (1 Verses)
“The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression. discretion: or, prudence”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Forgiving Your Enemies? (15 Verses)
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.”
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;”
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:”
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother.”
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?”
“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you,”
“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.”
“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”
“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.”
“Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.”
“Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:”
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
“And be ye kind one to another , tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.”
“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. quarrel: or, complaint”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Forgiving Your Enemies
- 1
Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.
- 2
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about forgiving your enemies. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 3
Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.
- 4
Memorise at least one key verse about forgiving your enemies and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.
Practical Application
Studying what the Bible says about forgiving your enemies is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:
Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on forgiving your enemies needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about forgiving your enemies with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.
Pray through the key verses about forgiving your enemies, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.
How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Forgiving Your Enemies?
You have studied 16 verses about forgiving your enemies. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.