NOTAS EN ESPAÑOL
Forgiveness in one of the most important spiritual topics covered in the Bible
The word “forgive” and its related forms like “forgiven,” “forgiveth,” and “forgiving” appears roughly 127 times in the Bible, while “forgiveness” is mentioned around 10 times, and if you include “forgiving”, the total rises to over 200.
The English word “forgive” is translated by multiple Greek words, each with different renderings: Apoluo, Aphesis, Aphiemi, and Charizmai.
Each of these Greek words bring a new and deeper understanding of what it means to be forgiven and to forgive others.
There are definite consequences and effects of unforgiveness in our lives.
Acts 8:23(NKJV)
23 For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
Hebrews 12:15(NKJV)
15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Proverbs 17:22(KJV)
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.
- Apoluo
The Greek word “apoluo” (ἀπολύω) means “to release, set free, or dismiss” and is used in the New Testament to describe actions like forgiving debts, granting clemency, or even divorce.
Apoluo-Send Away
Matthew 5:31(KJV)
31 It hath been said, Whosoever shall put away [apoluo] his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement:
Matthew 5:32(KJV)
“But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away (apoluo) his wife, saving for fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is put away doth commit adultery.”
The other verbs used in translating apoluo in English are “release,” “loose,” “dismiss,” “depart,” and “set at liberty.” The only text in which apoluo is translated “forgive” is in Luke 6.
Apoluo-Forgive
Luke 6:37(KJV)
Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive [apoluo], and ye shall be forgiven [apoluo]”.
The thought of this verse is the same as when Christ taught His disciples to pray in Matthew 6 where apoluo is “to take away,” “release,” or “dismiss.”
Apoluo-Released
Matthew 6:11-15(KJV)
11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive (apoluo) us our debts, as we forgive (apoluo) our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive (apoluo) men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive (apoluo) you: 15 But if ye forgive(apoluo) not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive(apoluo) your trespasses.
Apoluo-Dismissed
Matthew 14:15(KJV)
“And when the day was ended, the disciples came to him, and said, This is a desert place, and now the day is far spent; send away (Apoluo) the people, that they may go into the villages, and buy them victuals.”
Matthew 15:32(KJV)
“And when Jesus saw the multitude, he had compassion on them, because they were faint, and had nothing to eat. And when he had sent away (Apoluo) the multitude, he went up into the mountain privately to pray.”
Recap: The verb ἀπολύω (apoluó) is used in the New Testament to convey the act of releasing or setting someone or something free. It can refer to the physical release of a person from captivity or bondage, the dismissal of a crowd or gathering, or the act of divorce in a marital context. The term is often used in the context of Jesus releasing individuals from physical or spiritual bondage, as well as in legal or social settings where individuals are sent away or dismissed.
Apoluo-to set free, to liberate one from a thing (as from a bond), thou hast been loosed, be thou free from….
Luke 13:10-17(KJV)
10 And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. 11 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. 12 And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. 13 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. 14 And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. 15 The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? 16 And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? 17 And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.
Separated From Your Sins
Psalm 103:1-18(KJV)
1 Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:
3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases;
4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;
5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
6 The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.
7 He made known his ways unto Moses, his acts unto the children of Israel.
8 The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.
9 He will not always chide: neither will he keep his anger for ever.
10 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him.
12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.
13 Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him.
14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.
15 As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth.
16 For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more.
17 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children;
18 To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.