Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Ephesians 4:32 Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you. |
Bible Question: Is a Christian to offer forgiveness to another Christian even though the other Christian is unrepentent about it? |
Bible Answer: Hi Mike, I agree with Lionheart and Doc. The willingness to forgive a brother is a result of the condition of your own heart and should not depend on the willingness or actions of your brother. As Doc pointed out: “God Himself, and the Lord Jesus Christ, set the example of extending forgiveness to us before we ever get around to being repentant.†This statement represents the awesomeness of God’s grace, that He was willing to extend forgiveness to us even while we were still sinners. In fact, it is because of this that we are able and do repent. When faced with this fullness of grace and love we are compelled to respond in some way. Regardless of how we respond, by repenting or continuing in our sin, it has no effect on God’s character. It doesn’t lessen or minimize His grace nor His love. Sometimes we may hesitate to extend forgiveness because we fear the other will not repent or even accept our forgiveness. Pride is one reason we might deal with it in this way. But if God waited on us to repent before offering forgiveness, this gift of grace would a) depend on us and not God, and b) possibly never happen in the first place. So with grace and love offer forgiveness to your brother and in that same grace and love, be patient with him as he decides how to respond. Jeff |