The famous saying “to err is human; to forgive, divine” conveys the idea that making mistakes is part of human nature, while having the willingness to forgive others is a godly quality. But does this popular maxim have any biblical basis? Let’s explore what the Bible has to say about human fallibility, divine forgiveness, and the relationship between the two.
The Fallibility of Humanity
The Bible makes it abundantly clear that all people are fallible and prone to error. After Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command in the Garden of Eden, sin entered the human race (Genesis 3). The apostle Paul declares, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Even righteous biblical figures like David and Peter committed grievous sins (2 Samuel 11; Matthew 26:69-75). So the Bible affirms that it is indeed human nature to make mistakes and choose wrongly at times. Our imperfections stem from our sinful condition.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 puts it this way: “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.” Proverbs 20:9 asks rhetorically, “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure; I am clean from my sin’?” These verses demonstrate that fallibility is a universal human trait. No one, in their humanity, is free from error. 1 Kings 8:46 acknowledges that “there is no one who does not sin.” So the Bible clearly expresses the first part of the maxim: As finite creatures in a fallen world, we lack God’s perfect holiness, and thus to err is intrinsically human.
God’s Nature of Forgiveness
What about the second part of the saying – that to forgive is divine? Here, too, the Bible has much to contribute. Throughout Scripture, God is extolled for His abundant compassion, mercy, and forgiveness towards sinners. Exodus 34:6-7 describes God as “merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin.” His forgiveness is perfect and complete.
The prophet Micah declares, “Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love” (Micah 7:18). God is uniquely capable of forgiving sins entirely, without holding grudges. His forgiveness flows from His divine love for humanity. King David exalts God for forgiving his adultery and murder, singing, “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12).
As the supreme Judge, God has the sovereign right to condemn us. Yet He often chooses to forgive instead. Jesus illustrates this in the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18:21-35). When we repent, God removes our sin, remembers it no more, and treats us as if we are righteous – the very essence of forgiveness. That is why 1 John 1:9 declares, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” The Bible thus reveals that to forgive, rather than punish, is divine.
Forgiveness as an Imitation of God
If God’s perfection is displayed through His mercy and grace toward sinners, then we imperfect humans ought to emulate such forgiveness in our relationships. Jesus commands us to forgive others in the Lord’s Prayer: “Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Matthew 6:9-13). He exhorts us to forgive without limits: “Not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22).
Paul urges believers to “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). We are to forgive in imitation of how God forgave us. Thus the Bible calls Christians to uphold divine standards of forgiveness in our human relationships. While we cannot match God’s flawless forgiveness, we must strive to reflect His merciful character. As Jesus taught, “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36).
Forgiveness Reflects Spiritual Maturity
Moreover, Scripture presents a person’s willingness to forgive as evidence of spiritual maturity and godliness. Colossians 3:13 says, “Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” Those who forgive show that God’s love dwells in them. But withholding forgiveness can hinder our relationship with God, as Jesus explained (Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26).
We also see great spiritual leaders like Stephen (Acts 7:60) and Paul (2 Timothy 4:16) exemplifying forgiveness amid persecution. Like them, we must crucify bitterness and grudges, endeavouring to forgive others as God forgave us. For human nature tends toward resentment, but a Christlike spirit responds in grace. Thus Scripture further aligns forgiveness with godliness.
Forgiveness Leads to Reconciliation
Practicing godly forgiveness can even lead to reconciled relationships. Joseph forgave his treacherous brothers, leading to remarkable family restoration (Genesis 50:15-21). In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the forgiving father joyfully welcomes back his wayward boy (Luke 15:11-32). Paul urged Philemon to forgive the runaway slave Onesimus so they could be reconciled as brothers in Christ (Philemon 1:10-17). When we forgive others from the heart, healing can follow.
So biblical forgiveness goes beyond pardoning someone’s wrongs. It encompasses restoring broken relationships. Forgiveness means promising not to bring up the offense again or use it against them. As believers, God calls us to seek reconciliation wherever possible, not just personal peace. Jesus said, “So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift” (Matthew 5:23-24). Reconciling forgiveness should characterize God’s people.
Cautions About Forgiveness
That said, the Bible does impose certain limits on interpersonal forgiveness. We are to evaluate situations with spiritual discernment rather than blanket acceptance. Jesus told his followers, “Be wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). Scripture warns against gullibly believing every repentant claim (Proverbs 14:15). Christians should forgive without reserve, but may prudently guard their hearts.
We are also not called to keep enduring willful, unrepentant sin against us. When possible, reconciliation should be pursued. But when others persist in evil actions or refuse to change, we may distance ourselves while still harboring forgiveness internally. Romans 12:18 says, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” The key phrase is “if possible.” Forgiveness does not mean letting people mistreat you. But we entrust justice to God.
Furthermore, certain sins have earthly consequences that may remain even after forgiveness is granted. For example, crimes still warrant just punishment under the law. And abusers must end all harmful behavior for reconciliation to occur. Forgiveness alone cannot instantly restore damage done through sustained wrongdoing over time. But with discernment and wisdom, we can apply biblical forgiveness appropriately in any circumstance.
Forgiveness Brings Emotional and Spiritual Healing
When we follow God’s path of forgiveness instead of seeking vengeance, Scripture promises deep emotional healing and freedom. Isaiah 61:1-3 describes God anointing us to bring good news to others, “to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound.” Forgiving our debtors helps unchain us from bitterness.
Harboring resentment only hurts us further. But Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). Letting go of grudges lightens our spirit enormously. It also wins others over more than returning evil for evil (Proverbs 25:21-22; Romans 12:20-21). As we offer the gift of forgiveness, we receive the gift of peace in return (Luke 6:37-38). When we forgive like God does, we walk the path to greater joy and wholeness.
Forgiveness Brings Spiritual Cleansing
Moreover, Scripture ties forgiveness to spiritual cleansing from sin. When a woman washed Jesus’ feet with her tears, He tenderly told her, “Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 7:36-50). Her acts of humility, love and repentance brought forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 declares, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” God’s gracious forgiveness purifies us from the stain of sin.
That spiritual purification then motivates us to forgive others. 2 Peter 1:9 warns that “whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins.” When we remember how God forgave and cleansed us, it stirs us to forgive others. Receiving divine grace humbles us to extend grace. So the Bible ties forgiveness to spiritual cleansing for both the forgiver and the forgiven.
Forgiveness Reflects the Gospel
Most foundationally, the supreme act of forgiveness in all history is God forgiving mankind through Christ’s atoning sacrifice on the cross. While we were still sinners, “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Jesus “bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness” (1 Peter 2:24).
Colossians 2:13-14 announces, “And you, who were dead in your trespasses … God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.” No sin is beyond God’s mercy for those who come through Christ! His forgiveness makes eternal life possible. The cross epitomizes divine grace.
Thus, sharing forgiveness testifies to the gospel that saved us. When believers exhibit gospel-shaped forgiveness, we “let [our] light shine before others, so that they may see [our] good works and give glory to [our] Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14-16). Our forgiveness points people to the surpassing forgiveness found in Jesus alone. Showing gospel-rooted mercy commends the good news to others.
Conclusion
In summary, the Bible strongly supports the underlying truth behind the saying “To err is human; to forgive, divine.” Scripture confirms humanity’s universal tendency to commit errors and sin. Yet it also reveals God’s gracious, perfect forgiveness toward us through Christ. When believers humbly forgive others in the gospel’s transforming power, we reflect God’s own merciful character. Biblical forgiveness advances reconciliation, emotional healing, spiritual cleansing, and the mission of the gospel. So while our human frailty leads us to err, God calls His people to forgive as He forgives us – and display His divine heart in the process.