Forgiveness, from Scofield Reference Notes (1917)

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Forgiveness. Summary: The Greek word translated “remission” in Matthew 26:28; Acts 10:43; Hebrews 9:22 is elsewhere rendered “forgiveness.” It means, to send off, or away. And this, throughout Scripture, is the one fundamental meaning of forgiveness--to separate the sin from the sinner. Distinction must be made between divine and human forgiveness:

(1) Human forgiveness means the remission of penalty. In the Old Testament and the New, in type and fulfillment, the divine forgiveness follows the execution of the penalty. “The priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he had committed, and it shall be forgiven him” Leviticus 4:35.

“This is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission sending away, forgiveness of sins” (Matthew 25:28). “Without shedding of blood there is no remission” Hebrews 9:22.

See “Sacrifice” (See Scofield "Genesis 4:4") ; Genesis 4:4 See Scofield “Hebrews 10:18”. The sin of the justified believer interrupts his fellowship, and is forgiven upon confession, but always on the ground of Christ's propitiating sacrifice; 1 John 1:6-9; 2:2.

(2) Human forgiveness rests upon and results from the divine forgiveness. In many passages this is assumed rather than stated, but the principle is declared in Ephesians 4:32; Matthew 18:32,33.

Further study (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] He Will Abundantly Pardon, by Richard L. Strauss

[2] The Parable Of The Unforgiving Servant, by Hampton Keathley IV

[3] Materials by John F. Walvoord

• The Person and Work of Christ — Part VIII: Christ in His Suffering and Death
• The Person and Work of Christ — Part IX: Redemption
• The Person and Work of Christ — Part X: Propitiation
• The Person and Work of Christ — Part XI: Character and Results of Propitiation
• The Person and Work of Christ — Part XII: Reconciliation
• The Person and Work of Christ — Part XIII: Reconciliation

Sermons on forgiveness (Be like the Bereans! Acts 17:11)

[1] What You Can’t Afford to Be Without, by Ron Parker

[2] Repentance and the Kingdom of God, by Edward Keith Hassell

[3] The Vocabulary of Salvation - message #1, by Daniel P. Johnson

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Scripture references

Matthew 26:28

For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.

Acts 10:43

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Leviticus 4:35

And he shall take away all the fat thereof, as the fat of the lamb is taken away from the sacrifice of the peace offerings; and the priest shall burn them upon the altar, according to the offerings made by fire unto the LORD: and the priest shall make an atonement for his sin that he hath committed, and it shall be forgiven him.

Hebrews 9:22

And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

Genesis 4:4

And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flockd and of the fat thereof. And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering:

Hebrews 10:18

Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

1 John 1:6-9

6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:2

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Ephesians 4:32

And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Matthew 18:32-33

32 Then his lord, after that he had called him, said unto him, O thou wicked servant, I forgave thee all that debt, because thou desiredst me: 33 Shouldest not thou also have had compassion on thy fellowservant, even as I had pity on thee?


Scofield Reference Notes (1917) index

Old Testament: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, 1 Samuel, 2 Samuel, 1 Kings, 2 Kings, 1 Chronicles, 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalm, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, Daniel, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah, Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi

New Testament: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1 Thessalonians, 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy, 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Hebrews, James, 1 Peter, 2 Peter, 1 John, 2 John, 3 John, Jude, Revelation


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