Jesus's Forgiveness Theology: Repentance, Community, and Covenantal Restoration

The Repentance-Condition: Matthew 18:21–35 and the Parable's Relational Logic

Then Peter came to him and said, 'Lord, if my brother sins against me, how often should I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he began the reckoning, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him; and, as he could not pay, his lord ordered him to be sold, together with his wife and children and all his possessions, and payment to be made. So the slave fell on his knees, saying,

The Prerequisite of Metanoia: Luke 17:3–4 and the Grammar of Forgiveness

Be on your guard! If another disciple sins, you must rebuke the offender, and if there is repentance, you must forgive; and if the same person sins against you seven times a day and turns back to you seven times and says, 'I repent,' you must forgive.

The Covenantal Weight: Matthew 6:9–13, Mark 11:25–26, and the Reciprocal Link Between Divine and Human Forgiveness

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not bring us to the time of trial, but rescue us from the evil one. (Matthew 6:9–13) Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. (Mark 11:25–26)

The Costly Model: Luke 23:34, John 20:21–23, and Forgiveness as Cruciform Discipleship

Then Jesus said, 'Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.' (Luke 23:34) Jesus said to them again, 'Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.' When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, 'Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.' (John 20:21–23)

The Corporate Practice: Matthew 18:15–20, Romans 12:14–21, Colossians 3:12–14, and the Ecclesial Embodiment of Jesus's Forgiveness

If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them. (Matthew 18:15–20) Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the humble; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Repay no one evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.' No, 'if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap coals of fire on their heads.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:14–21)