QOTW - What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven?

The Question of the Week by GotQuestions.org [Click here to view this email as a webpage]( Question: "What did Jesus mean when He said that we should forgive others seventy times seven?" Answer: Jesus said we are to forgive others “seventy times seven” in response to Peter’s question, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?” (Matthew 18:21-22). To fully understand what Jesus was saying, we must look at the context of the whole chapter, for Jesus was speaking not only about forgiving one another but about Christian character, both in and out of the church. The admonition to forgive our brother seventy times seven follows Jesus’ discourse on discipline in the church (Matthew 18:15-20), in which He lays down the rules for restoring a sinning brother. Peter, wishing to appear especially forgiving and benevolent, asked Jesus if forgiveness was to be offered seven times. The Jewish rabbis at the time taught that forgiving someone more than three times was unnecessary, citing Amos 1:3-13 where God forgave Israel’s enemies three times, then punished them. By offering forgiveness more than double that of the Old Testament example, Peter perhaps expected extra commendation from the Lord. When Jesus responded that forgiveness should be offered four hundred and ninety times, far beyond that which Peter was proposing, it must have stunned the disciples who were listening. Although they had been with Jesus for some time, they were still thinking in the limited terms of the law, rather than in the unlimited terms of grace. By saying we are to forgive those who sin against us seventy times seven, Jesus was not limiting forgiveness to 490 times, a number that is, for all practical purposes, beyond counting. Christians with forgiving hearts not only do not limit the number of times they forgive; they continue to forgive with as much grace the thousandth time as they do the first time. Christians are only capable of this type of forgiving spirit because the Spirit of God lives within us, and it is He who provides the ability to offer forgiveness over and over, just as God forgives us over and over. Jesus’ [parable of the unforgiving servant]( follows directly after His “seventy times seven” speech, driving home the point that if we are forgiven the enormous debt of sin against a holy God, how much more should we be eager to forgive those who sin against us, who are just as sinful as they? Paul parallels this example in Ephesians 4:32 where he admonishes us to forgive one another “even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you.” Clearly, forgiveness is not to be meted out in a limited fashion but is to be abundant, overflowing, and available to all, just as the measureless grace of God is poured out upon us. Recommended Resource: [The Gift of Forgiveness by Charles Stanley]( [More insights from your Bible study - Get Started with Logos Bible Software for Free!]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What’s new on GotQuestions.org? [How do we “take refuge under His wings” (Psalm 91:4)?]( [Why does Hagar call God “the God Who Sees” (Genesis 16:13)?]( [Why should I become a Christian?]( [Did Moses exist?]( [Why should we be of good courage (Psalm 27:14)?]( [What is the significance that life is in the blood (Leviticus 17:14)?]( [What is a canticle? Are canticles biblical?]( [How many times did Jesus predict His death?]( [How can we confidently say, “I will fear no evil,” as in Psalm 23:4?]( [What does it mean that Adam and Eve were naked and not ashamed (Genesis 2:25)?]( [What does it mean to tarry?]( [What is the significance of the land of Ammon in the Bible?]( [What does it mean that “my sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27)?]( [What does it mean that “the Lord is my strength and my song” (Exodus 15:2)?]( [What does it mean to walk in love (Ephesians 5:2)?]( [On what basis can believers be of good cheer (John 16:33)?]( --------------------------------------------------------------- GotQuestions.org seeks to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ by providing biblical answers to spiritually-related questions. To continue in this mission, we need your support! For more information, please visit our [Support Page]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [More...]( --------------------------------------------------------------- GotQuestions.org Recommends: --------------------------------------------------------------- The GotQuestions.org Network: This message was sent to {EMAIL} from: Got Questions Ministries | 6050 Stetson Hills Blvd., #254 | Colorado Springs, CO 80923 [iContact - Try It Free!]( [Unsubscribe](