If you are looking to better understand what the Bible says about only God having the power to forgive sins, then this article is for you. Today I will be sharing key Bible verses that clarify that while people can and should forgive each other, ultimate forgiveness and atonement for sins is granted by God alone. These verses will help give you a solid Biblical basis on this topic.
Table of Contents
Introductions
The Bible teaches that forgiveness of sins is something that ultimately only God has the power and authority to grant. While people can and should forgive one another when wronged, only God can provide true atonement and cleansing from sin. This is an important distinction that runs throughout Scripture.
In the Old Testament, the elaborate sacrificial system was a way for people to have their sins “covered” temporarily. But it is clear this was intended to foreshadow and point towards Christ’s future sacrifice that would permanently take away sin. In the gospels, Jesus surprises the religious leaders of his day by boldly proclaiming the authority to forgive people’s sins. The Pharisees rightly understood that no ordinary man could make such a claim.
Throughout his ministry, Jesus emphasized the importance of having a repentant heart that turns from sin rather than relying on empty religious rituals. He taught the liberating power of receiving God’s redemption. The apostles later reinforced that it is only through Christ’s atonement on the cross applied to each individual life that the stain of sin can be cleansed. While believers must have merciful and gracious attitudes to others, actual spiritual forgiveness is a divine gift.
Dear friends, now let’s look at the Bible scriptures below that talk about only God having the power to forgive sins.
What does the Bible say about forgiveness of sins?
Ephesians 1:7
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace”
Colossians 1:14
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins”
Acts 13:38
“Be it known unto you therefore, men brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins”
Psalm 103:12
“As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us”
Isaiah 1:18
“Come now, let us reason together, saith the Lord : though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool”
Micah 7:18-19
“Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea”
Can we forgive sins or only God can forgive sins?
Mark 2:7
“Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?”
Luke 5:21
“The scribes the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?”
Matthew 9:6
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, go unto thine house”
Luke 7:48
“He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven”
Do we need to confess our sins to be forgiven?
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful just to forgive us our sins, to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”
Psalm 32:5
“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
James 5:16
“Confess your faults one to another, pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much”
Proverbs 28:13
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth forsaketh them shall have mercy”
Luke 15:21
“The son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, in thy sight, am no more worthy to be called thy son”
Matthew 3:6
“Were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins”
Acts 19:18
“Many that believed came, confessed, shewed their deeds”
What did Jesus say about forgiving sins?
Matthew 9:6
“But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, go unto thine house”
Luke 7:48
“He said unto her, Thy sins are forgiven”
What Old Testament verses talk about atonement for sins?
Leviticus 16:30
“For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the Lord”
Isaiah 53:5
“But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; with his stripes we are healed”
Psalm 32:5
“I acknowledge my sin unto thee, mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord ; thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
Ezekiel 18:21-23
“But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, keep all my statutes, do that which is lawful right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord God : not that he should return from his ways, live?”
Exodus 34:6-7
“The Lord passed by before him, proclaimed, The Lord , The Lord God, merciful gracious, longsuffering, abundant in goodness truth, Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity transgression sin, that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, upon the children’s children, unto the third to the fourth generation”
Psalm 51:1-2
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, cleanse me from my sin”
Daniel 9:9
“To the Lord our God belong mercies forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him”
What should we do after receiving forgiveness of sins?
Colossians 3:13
“Forbearing one another, forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye”
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”
Ephesians 4:32
“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you”
