For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:14 (KJV)
This message on forgiveness is clear. When we forgive, God forgives us also. In Matthew 6:15, it is explained that if we do not forgive, we also are held bound.
This message of forgiving others in order to be forgiven is mirrored in Luke 6:37.
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2:2 KJV
The word propitiation means to offer in a way so as to atone for our sins.
Matthew 5:21-24 KJV
“You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
The word “remission” means forgiveness.
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. Luke 17:3 (KJV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17 (KJV)
To understand the meaning of Romans 12:17, we must understand the meaning of the word recompense in the bible.
The word “recompense” means: to return in kind.
Here, Paul is writing to the Romans, and urging them not to repay evil with evil. This is a common theme among Paul’s writings, the concept of loving your enemies and doing good to those who hurt you.
Further, Paul urges the Romans to be honorable and do things right in the eyes of everyone.
If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 1 John 4:20 (NIV)
And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
