How Many Times Should We Forgive?

Matthew 18:21–35
» View this passage in NIV (Bible Gateway)

Peter asked the Lord how many times you should forgive someone who did something to wrong you  (v. 21). He asked if 7 times was enough and the Lord said, “not just 7 times but 77 times (v. 22).” Then a story was told about a king who called his officials in and asked them to pay what they owed him (v. 23). One man owed 50,000 silver coins but he didn’t have any money to pay what he owed, so the king ordered he and his family to be sold to pay the debt (vv. 24-25). This man got on his knees and begged for mercy (v. 26). The king felt  sorry for him and said his bill was paid in full.

As this man was leaving he met another official who owed him 100 silver coins and he grabbed him by the throat, chocked him, and demanded that he pay what he owed him (vv. 27-28). He begged the first official to give him time to pay what he owed but the other official put him in jail (vv. 29-30). When some other officials heard about what happened they told the king and he called the first official back and said “You’re an evil man!” When you begged for mercy, I let you off free. Don’t you think you should show pity, as I did to you” (vv. 31-33)?

The king was so angry that he ordered the official to be tortured until he paid back every thing he owed (v. 34). This is how the Father in heaven will treat you if you don’t forgive each of my followers with all of your heart (v. 35). It is because he is a God of such compassion and mercy that He cannot possibly accept as His those devoid of such compassion and mercy. Those who are forgiven must forgive, lest they show themselves incapable of receiving forgiveness.

Application

When the Lord says we are not just to forgive 7 times, but 77 times, it actually means an unlimited amount and that I should forgive continuously and without limit, just as God forgives me.