Does forgiveness have conditions?
Does forgiveness have conditions?
Definition: Forgiveness is to grant another to not have to pay for what they did
If someone wronged someone else, that person can have a debt toward the other person, as justice would need to be done there.
Forgiving someone is to grant the other person to not have to pay what they owe to you.
The Greek word used that can be translated as "TO-FORGIVE" [aphiémi 863 in Greek, verb] can also be translated as "TO-LET-GO". To forgive someone can mean to let go of the other person's obligation to pay what they owe to you.
For example, Jesus illustrated with the following parable: "one DEBTOR (of) ten-thousand talents was-brought to-him. But he (was) not having (the means) TO-GIVE-BACK" (Matthew 18:24-25), and it is written that "the master (of) that slave released him and FORGAVE [aphiémi 863 in Greek] him THE LOAN" (Matthew 18:27). In this story nobody ended up paying for the loan, instead the master simply decided to forgive it so that the debtor did not have to pay it anymore.
Another example, Jesus said: "There-were two DEBTORS (to a) certain lender. The one WAS-OWING five-hundred denarii, and the-other, fifty. They not having (the means) TO-GIVE-BACK, HE-FORGAVE both" (Luke 7:41-42).
Opposite of "to forgive":
An opposite of "TO-FORGIVE" [aphiémi 863 in Greek, verb] can be "TO-RETAIN" [krateо́ 2902 in Greek, verb], which can also be translated as "TO-HOLD". To retain someone can be to hold the other person to their obligation to pay what they owe (instead of letting them go of their obligation to pay what they owe).
For example: "If YOU-FORGIVE [aphiémi 863 in Greek] the sins (of) any, they-have-been-forgiven (for) them. If YOU-RETAIN [krateо́ 2902 in Greek] (the sins of) any, they have-been-retained" (John 20:23).
What: Sins and trespasses can be linked to debts that can be forgiven
In the Bible, trespasses and sins can be linked to debts (toward others).
For more information:
Sins can be linked to debts:
Click here
Click here
These debts can be forgiven, as for example, Jesus said to pray to the Father to "FORGIVE us our DEBTS, as we also forgave our DEBTORS" (Matthew 6:12).
What: One would only have to forgive if they actually have something against someone else
Jesus said: "FORGIVE — IF YOU-HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE" (Mark 11:25).
Someone can pray for a sin that people committed to not be set against them, as it is written: "Lord, DO NOT SET [stēsēs 2476 in Greek] THIS SIN (AGAINST) THEM" (Acts 7:60). In that case, the sin would not have to be forgiven as it would be set against someone else to begin with.
Another example, Paul wrote: "At my first defense no-one was-present (with) me, but they all deserted me. MAY-IT NOT BE-COUNTED (AGAINST) THEM" (2 Timothy 4:16).
What: Forgiveness is not limited to things done outwardly
Deeds that people committed can be forgiven, but forgiveness is not limited to deeds.
For example, the intention of the heart can be forgiven, as Peter said: "repent from this badness (of) yours, and pray (to) the Lord, if perhaps THE INTENTION (OF) YOUR HEART WILL-BE-FORGIVEN YOU" (Acts 8:22).
Another example: sins can be forgiven, but not all sins are outward.
For more information:
Are all sins the same in every way?:
Click here
Click here
Who: Humans can be forgiven:
God toward humans:
In the Bible there are multiple accounts of God forgiving humans. For example: "GOD in Christ also FORGAVE YOU" (Ephesians 4:32).
Humans toward other humans:
In the Bible there are multiple accounts of humans forgiving other humans. For example: "If YOUR BROTHER sins, rebuke him. And if he-repents, FORGIVE HIM" (Luke 17:3).
How many: there may be no limit to how many times someone could be forgiven
Peter asked Jesus: "“Lord, HOW-OFTEN will my brother sin against me and I-WILL-FORGIVE HIM? Up-to seven-times?” Jesus says (to) him, “I-do not say (to) you up-to seven-times, but UP-TO SEVENTY-TIMES (AND) SEVEN" (Matthew 18:21-22). Here Jesus may have implied that there would be no limit to how many times someone can be forgiven, even if they often come to ask for it.
Jesus said: "If your brother sins, rebuke him. And if he-repents, forgive him. And IF HE-SINS AGAINST YOU SEVEN-TIMES (IN) THE DAY, and returns to you seven-times saying ‘I-repent’, FORGIVE HIM”." (Luke 17:3-4). Even if someone were to sin seven times in a day, that person could still be forgiven for that. Here Jesus may have implied that even if a sin may be committed several times a day, it would be possible to be forgiven.
How many: someone can be forgiven of more than someone else
Jesus said: "“There-were two debtors (to a) certain lender. THE ONE WAS-OWING FIVE-HUNDRED DENARII, and THE-OTHER, FIFTY. They not having (the means) to-give-back, HE-FORGAVE BOTH. So which (of) them will-love him more?” And having-responded, Simon said, “I-assume that (it is to) whom HE-FORGAVE THE MORE”. And the (One) said (to) him, “YOU-JUDGED CORRECTLY”." (Luke 7:41-43). Jesus then applied this to someone who was forgiven of her sins, as it is then written: "And having-turned toward the woman, He-said (to) Simon, “Do-you-see this woman?" (Luke 7:44) "her MANY SINS HAVE-BEEN-FORGIVEN, because she-loved much. BUT he (to) whom LITTLE IS-FORGIVEN, loves little" (Luke 7:47).
How: Forgiving others is expected to be done from the heart
Jesus said: "My heavenly Father will-do (to) you if you do not FORGIVE— each (one) his brother his trespasses — FROM YOUR HEARTS" (Matthew 18:35).
How: The things forgiven are not expected to be remembered
It is written in Hebrews that the things for which forgiveness was received will never be remembered: "I-WILL NEVER REMEMBER their sins and their lawless (deeds) again”. Now where (there is) FORGIVENESS of-these (things, there is) no-longer (an) offering for sin" (Hebrews 10:17-18).
How: We are to forgive just as God forgave
Paul wrote to be "FORGIVING each-other JUST-AS GOD in Christ also FORGAVE you" (Ephesians 4:32).
Paul wrote to be "FORGIVING each-other, if anyone has (a) complaint against anyone. JUST-AS indeed the LORD FORGAVE you, SO ALSO you (FORGIVE)" (Colossians 3:13).
God's disposition toward forgiveness
The Lord is ready to forgive, as it is written: "For You, O Lord, are good and READY TO FORGIVE, and rich in mercy to all who call on You" (Psalms 86:5 (Masoretic)).
The benefits of the Lord is that He can forgive all your iniquities, as it is written: "Bless YHWH, O my soul, and forget not all HIS BENEFITS; HE WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR INIQUITIES; who heals all your diseases" (Psalms 103:2-3 (Masoretic)).
It is written about God that "He-is FAITHFUL and righteous TO-FORGIVE us the sins" (1 John 1:8).
Forgiveness could be described as conditional
God toward humans:
There can be cases in which God would not be willing to forgive something, for example: "Surely at the mouth of YHWH this came upon Judah, to remove them from His presence for the sins of Manasseh, according to all he did, and also the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and YHWH WAS NOT WILLING TO FORGIVE" (2 Kings 24:3-4). This could suggest that there could be conditions for God to be willing to forgive someone.
God's forgiveness may be described as conditional in the following verses using the conditional particle "IF", as it is written: "IF you-forgive people their trespasses, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE you. BUT IF you do not forgive people (their trespasses), NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15).
Peter said to someone who sinned, using the conditional particle "IF": "repent from this badness (of) yours, and pray (to) THE LORD, IF perhaps the intention (of) your heart WILL-BE-FORGIVEN you" (Acts 8:22).
Humans toward other humans:
Jesus said to His disciples, using the conditional particle "IF": "IF YOU-FORGIVE the sins (of) any, they-have-been-forgiven (for) them. IF YOU-RETAIN (the sins of) any, they have-been-retained" (John 20:23). Here there is the possibility to forgive but also the possibility to retain sins instead of forgiving them. This could suggest that there could conditions for people to forgive the sins of others.
Jesus said, using the conditional particle "IF": "If your brother sins, rebuke him. And IF HE-REPENTS, FORGIVE him" (Luke 17:3).
Jesus said, using the conditional particle "IF": "FORGIVE — IF YOU-HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE" (Mark 11:25).
It is important to remember that in the Bible, absence of STATED condition does not necessitate the absence of a condition. For example, if there is only one condition STATED in a verse, it does not preclude that there can be other conditions specified in other passages that can apply.
For more information:
Absence of stated condition does not necessitate the absence of a condition:
Click here
Click here
Overview of the general conditions for forgiveness
After that someone has been rebuked for committing sin, forgiveness can be received under the following general conditions:
1) Repent (from committing sin).
2) Turn back (from committing sin).
3) Ask to be forgiven, by confessing (instead of denying) that you indeed committed sin.
You can find more details about these points below:
Forgiveness can be described after the person was rebuked first
Jesus described how a brother can first be rebuked by the person before being forgiven, as He said: "If your brother sins, REBUKE HIM. AND if he-repents, FORGIVE HIM" (Luke 17:3).
Forgiveness can be described on the condition of repentance
God toward humans:
Peter said to someone who sinned, using the conditional particle "IF": "REPENT from this badness (of) yours, and pray (to) the Lord, IF perhaps the intention (of) your heart WILL-BE-FORGIVEN you" (Acts 8:22).
Peter described how someone would first repent so that their sins may be wiped out, as he said: "REPENT and turn-back SO-THAT your sins (may) BE-WIPED-OUT" (Acts 3:19).
Humans toward other humans:
Jesus said, using the conditional particle "IF": "If your brother sins, rebuke him. And IF HE-REPENTS, FORGIVE HIM. And if he-sins against you seven-times (in) the day, and returns to you seven-times saying ‘I-REPENT’, FORGIVE HIM”." (Luke 17:3-4).
The repentance here would be a repentance from what was committed against the other party.
Repentance from sin specifically can be in view here.
For more information:
What can "repentance" mean?:
Click here
Click here
Repentance from what?:
Click here
Click here
Forgiveness can be described on the condition that the person returned first
God toward humans:
Jesus described people not turning back (not returning) and so not having their sins forgiven, as He said: "they-may-be-hearing and not understanding, that they-may not ever TURN-BACK AND (their sins) BE-FORGIVEN them”." (Mark 4:12).
It is written in 2 Chronicles that people shall turn back (return) and then they will be forgiven: "My people, on whom My name is called, shall be humbled, and shall pray, and shall seek My face, and SHALL TURN BACK from their evil ways, THEN I will hear from Heaven, and WILL FORGIVE their sin" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Peter described how someone would first turn back (return) before having their sins wiped out, as he said: "repent and TURN-BACK SO-THAT your sins (may) BE-WIPED-OUT" (Acts 3:19).
Humans toward other humans:
Jesus described how a brother would first return to the person before being forgiven, as He said about a brother that: "if he-sins against you seven-times (in) the day, and RETURNS TO YOU seven-times saying ‘I-repent’, FORGIVE HIM”." (Luke 17:4).
Forgiveness from God can be described after praying directly to God
To receive forgiveness from God, someone can pray to God directly (without necessarily naming all the sins which would have been committed). For example:
Jesus said: "Whenever YOU-PRAY, say, ‘FATHER" (Luke 11:2) "FORGIVE us our sins" (Luke 11:4).
Peter said to someone who sinned: "PRAY (TO) THE LORD, IF perhaps the intention (of) your heart WILL-BE-FORGIVEN you" (Acts 8:22).
It is written in Amos: "I said, Lord YHWH, I PRAY, FORGIVE" (Amos 7:2).
It is written in 2 Chronicles that people shall pray and then they will be forgiven: "My people, on whom My name is called, shall be humbled, and SHALL PRAY, and shall seek My face, and shall turn back from their evil ways, THEN I will hear from Heaven, and WILL FORGIVE their sin" (2 Chronicles 7:14).
Forgiveness from God can be described on the condition of confessing
It is written about God, using the conditional particle "IF", that "IF WE-ARE-CONFESSING our sins, HE-is faithful and righteous TO-FORGIVE us the sins" (1 John 1:8).
David wrote: "I acknowledged my sin, and I did not cover my iniquity. I said, “I WILL CONFESS my iniquity TO THE LORD against myself.” AND You FORGAVE the ungodliness of my sin" (Psalm 32:5).
What can confessing mean?
To CONFESS something can be the opposite of DENYING something.
For example, it is written: "HE-CONFESSED and did NOT DENY. And HE-CONFESSED that “I am not the Christ”" (John 1:20).
Another example, it is written: "everyone who CONFESSES Me in-front-of people, the Son (of) Man also WILL-CONFESS him in-front-of the angels (of) God. BUT the (one) HAVING-DENIED Me before people WILL-BE-DENIED before the angels (of) God" (Luke 12:8-9).
Someone can confess a sin that they did against God to a human:
David was rebuked by Nathan for his specific sin against God of murdering Uriah the Hittite, as Nathan said: "Why have you despised the Word of YHWH to do evil in His eyes? You have stricken Uriah the Hittite by the sword" (2 Samuel 12:9). In response, David did not deny that specific sin mentioned, but David confessed TO Nathan directly what he did, as it is written that "David said TO NATHAN, “I HAVE SINNED " (2 Samuel 12:13). In this story the specific sin that David committed against God was mentioned, and David confessed TO Nathan to have done this specific sin against God.
Confessing a sin against God can be done directly to God:
After sinning against God, David seemingly addressed God directly, confessing to God: "O God" (Psalms 51:2), "AGAINST YOU only I SINNED, and did the evil before You" (Psalms 51:4).
Confessing a sin against a human can be done directly to the human in question:
A confession may be illustrated in the parable of the prodigal son, in which the son had sinned against his father and when he returned to his father the son did not deny his sin, but "the son said (to) him, ‘FATHER, I-SINNED AGAINST HEAVEN AND BEFORE YOU" (Luke 15:21) and as a response "the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly, bring-out the best robe and put-(it)-on him" (Luke 15:22) and "they-began to-celebrate" (Luke 15:24), implying that the father would have forgiven his son as a result.
Sins can be confessed-out in public:
It is written: "many (of) the (ones) having-believed were-coming, CONFESSING-OUT and DECLARING THEIR (EVIL) PRACTICES. And many (of) the (ones) having-practiced sorceries, having-brought-together (their) books, were-burning-(them)-up in-the-presence-of everyone" (Acts 19:18-19).
Forgiveness from God can be described on the condition of forgiving others
Jesus said, using the conditional particle "IF": "IF YOU-FORGIVE PEOPLE their trespasses, YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER WILL ALSO FORGIVE you. BUT IF you do NOT FORGIVE people (their trespasses), NEITHER WILL YOUR FATHER FORGIVE your trespasses" (Matthew 6:14-15).
Jesus said: "FORGIVE — IF YOU-HAVE ANYTHING AGAINST ANYONE — IN-ORDER-THAT YOUR FATHER in the heavens also MAY-FORGIVE you your trespasses" (Mark 11:25).
What could happen if the conditions for forgiveness are not met?
Sins can be described as debts that someone can have against another subject. If the conditions for these debts to be forgiven do not end up being met by the person being indebted, then God could avenge the person to whom the debt was due by giving back to the person being indebted what they need to pay, according to their works.
It could be inferred that if that person would end up repenting or turn back to God, but would not have any means to reach out to the subject that they are indebted with, God could still give them forgiveness according to their ways.
Paul wrote "(TO) NOT (BE) AVENGING YOURSELVES, beloved, BUT GIVE (A) PLACE (TO) THE WRATH (OF GOD). For it-has-been-written: “VENGEANCE (IS FOR) ME, I WILL-GIVE-BACK-IN-RETURN, SAYS (THE) LORD”" (Romans 12:19).
Paul wrote for example about someone who did great evil against him, and Paul added: "ALEXANDER the coppersmith SHOWED MANY EVIL (THINGS AGAINST) ME — THE LORD WILL-GIVE-BACK (TO) HIM ACCORDING-TO HIS WORKS" (2 Timothy 4:14). It may be implied here that ALEXANDER would not have ended up meeting the conditions of forgiveness, and so Paul would have ended up saying that the Lord would give back to him according to his works.
In Revelation, Jesus is addressing different churches, and said: "I-have (a) few (things) AGAINST YOU" (Revelation 2:14), "THEREFORE REPENT. OTHERWISE, I-AM-COMING (TO) YOU quickly" (Revelation 2:16). Jesus would otherwise come to them to give them back according to their works.
Another example: "I-HAVE AGAINST YOU that you-left your first love. THEREFORE, be-remembering from-where you-have-fallen, and REPENT, and do the first works. OTHERWISE, I-AM-COMING (TO) YOU. And I-will-move your lampstand from its place UNLESS YOU-REPENT" (Revelation 2:4-5).
Another example: "I-HAVE AGAINST YOU that you-are-tolerating your wife Jezebel" (Revelation 2:20), "Behold — I-am-throwing her into (a) bed, and the (ones) committing-adultery with her into (a) great affliction, UNLESS THEY-REPENT from her works. And I-will-kill her children with (a) death. And all the churches will-know that I am the (One) searching minds and hearts, and I-WILL-GIVE (TO) YOU, (to) each (one), ACCORDING-TO YOUR WORKS" (Revelation 2:22-23).
These verses addressed to churches may suggest that repentance would be needed for them to be forgiven of the things that Jesus had against them. As such, it may be implied that their sins committed at that moment (which were way after the time that they initially converted) would not already have been forgiven in advance.
Future sins would not be forgiven in advance
Someone can be ready to forgive someone else and make a provision for that, but that does not mean that all sins are to be necessarily already forgiven before they are even committed.
If someone did not yet commit a sin, that person is not yet guilty of that sin, thus it could also follow that this person would not have a need for this sin to be forgiven yet.
Jesus:
Jesus commanded His disciples: "WHENEVER YOU-PRAY, SAY" (Luke 11:2): "FORGIVE us our SINS" (Luke 11:4).
Why would Jesus command His disciples that whenever they pray they have to ask the Father to forgive them their sins if their new sins would already have been forgiven in the past?
Jesus said: "If your brother sins, rebuke him. And if he-repents, forgive him. And IF HE-SINS AGAINST YOU SEVEN-TIMES (IN) THE DAY, and returns to you seven-times saying ‘I-repent’, FORGIVE HIM”." (Luke 17:3-4).
Even if someone were to sin seven times in a day, that person could still be forgiven for that. Here Jesus commanded to forgive the person even after already having forgiven that person.
Jesus' command did not imply that all the person's future sins would already be forgiven, but that each time the person comes, we are to actually forgive the person, which could assume that they would not already have been forgiven in the past for that new sin.
Peter:
"Peter" (Acts 2:38) commanded people to "Repent, and let each (of) you BE-BAPTIZED on (the basis of) the name (of) Jesus Christ FOR (THE) FORGIVENESS (OF) YOUR SINS" (Acts 2:38).
Several chapters later, after that Philip announced the good news, "Simon himself also believed. And HAVING-BEEN-BAPTIZED, he-was attaching-himself (to) Philip" (Acts 8:13).
Because Simon here believed the good news and was BAPTIZED, it could be implied that he may also have received the forgiveness of his sins, as "Peter" (Acts 2:38) preached: "BE-BAPTIZED on (the basis of) the name (of) Jesus Christ FOR (THE) FORGIVENESS (OF) YOUR SINS" (Acts 2:38).
Yet the same "Peter" (Acts 8:20) then later told Simon after Simon committed a sin at some point after his baptism to "repent from this badness (of) yours, and pray (to) the Lord, if perhaps the intention (of) your heart WILL-BE-FORGIVEN you" (Acts 8:22).
Peter here did not assume that this sin which happened after Simon believed and had been baptized would already have been forgiven, as he used the future tense when he said to "pray (to) the Lord, if perhaps the intention (of) your heart WILL-BE-FORGIVEN you" (Acts 8:22).
James wrote to "brothers" (James 2:1) "having the faith (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (James 2:1). Because these brothers were already "having the faith (of) our Lord Jesus Christ" (James 2:1), it could be inferred that they already would have been forgiven of their sins.
To these, James wrote: "my brothers" (James 5:12), "IS ANYONE AMONG YOU sick? Let-him-summon the elders (of) the church, and let-them-pray over him, having-anointed him (with) oil in the name (of) the Lord. And the prayer (of) faith will-restore the (one) being-ill, and the Lord will-raise him. AND-IF HE-HAS COMMITTED SINS, IT-WILL-BE-FORGIVEN HIM" (James 5:14-15).
Here brothers who would already have had their sins forgiven in the past are said that if they committed any more sins after that, "IT-WILL-BE-FORGIVEN" (James 5:15) in the future tense, indicating that these sins would not already have been forgiven in the past as the future tense is used here.
1 John:
It is written in 1 John: "If WE-are-confessing our sins, He-is faithful and righteous TO-FORGIVE US the SINS" (1 John 1:9).
The author of 1 John, who would have had his sins forgiven in the past already, included himself in this sentence, as he used the pronoun "US".
Why would the author of 1 John need to confess his sins to be forgiven if the author's new sins would already have been forgiven in the past?
Will everything be forgiven by God?
Jesus said that apart from the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, "ALL SINS AND BLASPHEMIES WILL-BE-FORGIVEN (to) the sons (of) humans" (Mark 3:28), under the conditions for which forgiveness can be received. Thus virtually every sin that people can think about can be forgiven, from lesser sins to greater sins.
Knowing this does not allow someone to therefore commit evil so that good may come out of it, as such a person would bring judgment upon themselves, as Paul wrote: "(why) not (say) “LET-US-DO EVIL (things) THAT GOOD (things) MAY-COME”, as we-are-blasphemed, and as some affirm us to-say — whose JUDGMENT is just" (Romans 3:8). Such a judgment may be indicated in the previous verse: "BEING-JUDGED AS (A) SINNER" (Romans 3:7). This is important because in the Bible a sinner can be described in opposition to a righteous person, and Peter warned: "if the RIGHTEOUS (one) IS-BEING-SAVED WITH-DIFFICULTY, where will the non-worshiping and SINNER appear?" (1 Peter 4:18). Jesus indicated that it is "the RIGHTEOUS (ones who will go) to eternal life" (Matthew 25:46).
For more information on how a sinner can be described in indirect opposition to a righteous person:
Descriptions of a righteous person:
Click here
Click here
Jesus said: "ALL SINS AND BLASPHEMIES WILL-BE-FORGIVEN (to) the sons (of) humans, whatever they-may-blaspheme. BUT WHOEVER BLASPHEMES AGAINST THE HOLY SPIRIT DOES NOT HAVE FORGIVENESS" (Mark 3:28).
For more information about the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit:
Mark 3:29 - Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?:
Click here
Click here
What about unknown sins?
Sins can be forgiven, and not all sins are done with knowledge of them being a sin, some can be done ignorantly.
It is possible to sin ignorantly, and as a result, to be ignorant that we sinned.
What can be done regarding those sins?
David wrote: "Who will understand (his) transgressions? PURGE ME FROM MY SECRET (SINS)" (Psalms 19:12).
God is capable to bring sins to light (or the knowledge that we did them). Jesus said: "there is not (a) hidden (thing) which will not become visible, nor (a) hidden-away (thing) which will NEVER BE-KNOWN and COME INTO VISIBILITY" (Luke 8:17).
Comments
Post a Comment