36 Powerful Bible Verses for Forgiveness and Repentance KJV

Looking for Bible verses for forgiveness and repentance KJV? You have come to the right place. There are many KJV Scripture references for forgiveness and repentance both in relation to God and to our fellow human beings. The act of repentance involves confession of sin and precedes the gift of forgiveness.

What Is Biblical Repentance?

Repentance is a change in heart followed by a change in actions. Repentance is a mental U-turn and the result of repentance leads to a change in outward actions. The definition of repentance is to turn from sin or evil and turn toward God and what is good and right.

“Some people do not like to hear much of repentance; but I think it so necessary that if I were to die in the pulpit, I should desire to die preaching repentance, and if I should die out of the pulpit, I hope to die practicing it.” Matthew Henry – British nonconformist minister and author (1662-1714)

What Is Godly Forgiveness?

Forgiveness is a releasing of a wrong. God forgiveness is not automatic, rather God grants forgiveness after repentance. God freely forgives the sinner, after they repent to Him.

This process repentance first, followed by forgiveness is true for both the relationship with God and man and also between human beings.

Old Testament Verses on Repentance

Reference	KJV Scripture & Explanation
Job 42:6	“Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job repented of his sins when addressed by Jehovah.
Ezekiel 14:6	“Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.” God commanded His people to only worship Him.
Jonah 2:4	“Then I said, I am cast out of thy sight; yet I will look again toward thy holy temple.” After the fish swallowed the disobedient prophet, Jonah prayed and repented to God from the whale’s belly.

John the Baptist’s Preaching On Repentance

John the Baptist was a prophet who preached about the coming Messiah. Part of his sermons included repentance.

Reference	KJV Scripture & Explanation
Matthew 3:2	“Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John the Baptist urged people to repent to prepare for Christ’s kingdom.
Matthew 3:8	“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance.” Repentance is a work of the heart but shown in outward actions.
Mark 1:4	“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Repentance of individual’s sin preceded their baptism.

Jesus’ Teaching on Repentance

When Jesus started His earthly ministry which included preaching God’s Word, He too preached about repentance.

Reference	KJV Scripture & Explanation
Matthew 4:17	“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Jesus preached for people to repent from their unbelief to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 9:13b	“I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus came looking for sinners to save.
Mark 1:15	“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.” Jesus urged people to repent of their unbelief.
Mark 6:12	“And they went out, and preached that men should repent.” (KJV) Jesus’ twelve apostles preached repentance.
Luke 13:3	“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (KJV) Jesus warned that lack of repentance would cause a person to perish in hell.

Bible Verses for Forgiveness and Repentance For Salvation

After a person repents of their sins before God, He grants them His forgiveness. The gift of God’s forgiveness is wonderful both for God and the person receiving His forgiveness. God is a merciful God Who wants to forgive people, and grant them the gift of eternal life, but only after they ask. They must want Him to forgive them, that is why He does not give blanket forgiveness.

Reference	KJV Scripture & Explanation
Luke 15:7	“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.” When a person on earth repents of their sins, heaven rejoices. True repentance brings God glory.
Luke 15:10	“Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” This is such a marvelous fact that Jesus repeated this twice!
Acts 2:38	“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Repentance is necessary for salvation.
Acts 17:30	“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent” Repentance of sins is a command of God.
Acts 20:21	“Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul preached about repentance to God and this is part of faith in Jesus Christ.
Acts 26:20	“… they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” Good works shows the outward result of the inward repentance of the heart.
Romans 2:4	“Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” God’s love directs hearts to repentance toward Him.
Colossians 1:14	“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” The sinless, eternal and human blood of Jesus grants God’s forgiveness of our sins.
2 Peter 3:9	“The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” God calls all people to repent toward Him. Then, and only then, He will give them His forgiveness.
2 Corinthians 5:17	“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” Repenting to God is an inward decision of the heart, but the results are shown publicly.
2 Corinthians 7:10	“For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” Repentance to God leads to salvation-the forgiveness of God.

Daily Repentance

Every day, we all sin against God. Every day we need to repent of our sins to God, knowing He will forgive us.

Reference	KJV Scripture & Explanation
Psalm 32:5	“I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.” David showed to confess sin to God to get His forgiveness.
1 John 2:1	“My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” Jesus offers forgiveness of sin when we confess it.
1 John 1:9	“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God’s promise of forgiveness when we confess to Him.
Revelation 3:19	“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” God tells how to avoid His chastisement – by repentance of sins.

Bible Verses for Forgiveness and Repentance Forgiving Others

When we sin against others, this is both a sin against God and our fellow man. Sometimes we need to repent to both and then get their forgiveness. Other times, we need to forgive others who are repentant of their sins against us.

Reference	KJV Scripture & Explanation
Matthew 6:12	“And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” This scripture verse is part of “The Lord’s Prayer” which Jesus taught His disciples. “Debt” here means “sins”.
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.” If we want God to forgive us, we too must be ready to forgive others.
Luke 17:3&4	“Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him.” Repentance and the resulting forgiveness is a process. When someone says “I’m sorry”, it is our duty to forgive them.
Matthew 18:21&22	“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.” Forgiveness does not stop.
Ephesians 4:32	“And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”
Colossians 3:13	“Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.”

How To Practice Repentance

1. Admit your are a sinner before God.
2. Get a glimpse of how God sees your sin, not be being sorry you got caught.
3. Confess your sins to God daily.
4. Ask God to help you have good works which shows your heart is right with God.
5. Daily ask God to cleans you from your daily , even unintential sins, so your prayers are not hindered.

FAQs

Q: Is repentance necessary for salvation?

A:

Q: Why does repentance proceed forgiveness?

A:

Q: What is the process to gain forgiveness?

A:

Q: Can God ever turn away from a truly repentant person?

A: No.

Next Steps

1. Download a printer friendly PDF of this article here.
2. Get your free Naaman’s Faith e-book here.
3. Read more verses at: 48 Excellent Bible Verses About a Good Wife KJV.
4. Check out the 30-day Bible study devotional: Joseph’s Faith by clicking here.

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