bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
Parallel Translations
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bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.
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forbearynge one another and forgevynge one another if eny man have a quarrell to a nother even as Christ forgave you even so do ye.
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Forbearing one another, and forgiuing one another, if any man haue a quarel to another: euen as Christ forgaue, euen so doe ye.
Cross-references (24)
Passages linked to Colossians 3:13 in the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, ordered by reader-vote popularity; verse text shown in World English Bible.
- Ephesians 4:32 And be kind to one another, tender hearted, forgiving each other, just as God also in Christ forgave you.
- Mark 11:25 Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone; so that your Father, who is in heaven, may also forgive you your transgressions.
- James 2:13 For judgment is without mercy to him who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
- Ephesians 4:2 with all lowliness and humility, with patience, bearing with one another in love,
- Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you don’t forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
- Romans 15:1-2 Now we who are strong ought to bear the weaknesses of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each one of us please his neighbor for that which is good, to be building him up.
- Luke 6:35-37 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing back; and your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind toward the unthankful and evil. “Therefore be merciful, even as your Father is also merciful. Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Set free, and you will be set free.
- Matthew 6:12 Forgive us our debts, as we also forgive our debtors.
- Luke 17:3-4 Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”
- Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
- Luke 23:34 Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.” Dividing his garments among them, they cast lots.
- 2 Corinthians 2:10 Now I also forgive whomever you forgive anything. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ,
- 2 Corinthians 6:6 in pureness, in knowledge, in perseverance, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in sincere love,
- Matthew 18:15-17 “If your brother sins against you, go, show him his fault between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained back your brother. But if he doesn’t listen, take one or two more with you, that at the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the assembly. If he refuses to hear the assembly also, let him be to you as a Gentile or a tax collector.
- Luke 11:4 Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. Bring us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ ”
- Matthew 5:44 But I tell you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who mistreat you and persecute you,
- Romans 15:7 Therefore accept one another, even as Christ also accepted you, to the glory of God.
- 1 Corinthians 6:7-8 Therefore it is already altogether a defect in you, that you have lawsuits one with another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? No, but you yourselves do wrong and defraud, and that against your brothers.
- Luke 5:20-24 Seeing their faith, he said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” The scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this that speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” But Jesus, perceiving their thoughts, answered them, “Why are you reasoning so in your hearts? Which is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you;’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?’ But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (he said to the paralyzed man), “I tell you, arise, take up your cot, and go to your house.”
- Ephesians 5:2 Walk in love, even as Christ also loved us and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling fragrance.
- Colossians 3:12 Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;
- 1 Peter 2:21 For you were called to this, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps,
- Matthew 18:21-35 Then Peter came and said to him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? Until seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I don’t tell you until seven times, but, until seventy times seven. Therefore the Kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king, who wanted to reconcile accounts with his servants. When he had begun to reconcile, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. But because he couldn’t pay, his lord commanded him to be sold, with his wife, his children, and all that he had, and payment to be made. The servant therefore fell down and knelt before him, saying, ‘Lord, have patience with me, and I will repay you all!’ The lord of that servant, being moved with compassion, released him, and forgave him the debt. “But that servant went out, and found one of his fellow servants, who owed him one hundred denarii, and he grabbed him, and took him by the throat, saying, ‘Pay me what you owe!’ “So his fellow servant fell down at his feet and begged him, saying, ‘Have patience with me, and I will repay you!’ He would not, but went and cast him into prison, until he should pay back that which was due. So when his fellow servants saw what was done, they were exceedingly sorry, and came and told their lord all that was done. Then his lord called him in, and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt, because you begged me. Shouldn’t you also have had mercy on your fellow servant, even as I had mercy on you?’ His lord was angry, and delivered him to the tormentors, until he should pay all that was due to him. So my heavenly Father will also do to you, if you don’t each forgive your brother from your hearts for his misdeeds.”
- Luke 7:48-50 He said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” Those who sat at the table with him began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you. Go in peace.”
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this verse (13 sources)
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John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain 13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if…
13 Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
Ver. 13. If a man have a quarrel] Occasions will be given, and offences will happen. Now it is the glory of a man to pass over a transgression, Pro 19:11; see 1Sa 10:27; and to forgive where there is just cause of complaint. If no quarrel, no thank.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain Forbearing one another; clemency towards each other, not only…
Forbearing one another; clemency towards each other, not only in undergoing affronts, but a suspending to take advantage from the infirmities of others, so as not to irritate them to passion, or to take them tripping, so as to aggravate their failings, Pro 16:32; 1Co 4:12; Gal 6:2; Eph 4:2; 2Th 1:4.
And forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any; yea, and if one hath any just complaint against another, mutually passing it by amongst ourselves: we render forgiving one another, that which in the Greek is forgiving ourselves; and indeed he that doth see the need he hath of pardon himself, will pass by the fault of his brother, (so ourselves here is put for one another), Mar 10:26; Luk 23:12.
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Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye; considering the exemplar cause here added as a motive to mutual forgiveness, viz. our Head the Lord Jesus Christ forgiving of us, who are bound to conform to him in forgiving others; See Poole on "Mat 6:14". See Poole on "Mat 18:32", See Poole on "Mat 18:33". See Poole on "Mar 11:25", See Poole on "Joh 13:14". See Poole on "Eph 4:32", See Poole on "1Pe 2:21", yea, the strong to indulge and gratify their weak brethren in smaller matters for their good, Rom 15:1-3.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain Forbearing one another,.... Not only bearing one another's burdens,…
Forbearing one another,.... Not only bearing one another's burdens, and with one another's weaknesses, but forbearing to render evil for evil, or railing for railing, or to seek revenge for affronts given, in whatsoever way, whether by words or deeds:
and forgiving one another; all trespasses and offences, so far as committed against themselves, and praying to God to forgive them, as committed against him:
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if any man have a quarrel against any; let him be who he will, high or low, rich or poor, of whatsoever age, state, or condition, and let his quarrel or complaint be what it will, ever so great, or ever so just and well founded, yet let him put up with it, and forgive it:
even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye; what God is said to do for Christ's sake; see Gill on Eph 4:32, what here Christ is said to do: as Mediator, he has procured the remission of sins by the shedding of his blood; and as God he forgives sins freely, fully, forgetting the injuries done, not upbraiding with former offences, and that too without asking, and before there is any appearance of repentance; and so should the saints forgive one another, as they expect to have an application and manifestation of forgiveness to themselves.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain Forbearing one another - If anything is now wrong.…
Forbearing one another - If anything is now wrong. And forgiving one another - What is past.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain Verse 13. Forbearing one another] Avoid all occasions of…
Verse 13. Forbearing one another] Avoid all occasions of irritating or provoking each other.
Forgiving one another] If ye receive offence, be instantly ready to forgive on the first acknowledgment of the fault.
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Even as Christ forgave you] Who required no satisfaction, and sought for nothing in you but the broken, contrite heart, and freely forgave you as soon as you returned to Him. No man should for a moment harbour ill will in his heart to any; but the offended party is not called actually to forgive, till the offender, with sorrow, acknowledges his fault. He should be ready to forgive, and while he is so, he can neither feel hatred nor malice towards the offender; but, as Christ does not forgive us till with penitent hearts we return unto him, acknowledging our offences, so those who have trespassed against their neighbour are not to expect any act of forgiveness from the person they have injured, till they acknowledge the offence. Forgive, says the apostle, καθως και ο χριστος even as Christ forgave you-show the same disposition and the same readiness to forgive your offending brethren, as Christ showed towards you.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain Forbearing one another - Notes, Eph 4:2.
Forbearing one another - Notes, Eph 4:2.
And forgiving one another - Notes, Mat 6:12, Mat 6:14.
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If any man have a quarrel against any - Margin, “or complaint.” The word used here - μομφή momphē - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It means, “fault found, blame, censure;” and here denotes occasion of complaint. The idea is, that if another one has given us just occasion of complaint, we are to forgive him; that is, we are:
(1)To harbor no malice against him;
(2)We are to be ready to do him good as if he had not given us occasion of complaint;
(3)We are to be willing to declare that we forgive him when be asks it; and,
(4)We are always afterward to treat him as kindly as if he had not injured us - as God treats us when he forgives us; see the notes at Mat 18:21.
Even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye - Learn here that Christ has power to forgive sin; compare the Mat 9:6 note; Act 5:31 note. Christ forgave us:
(1)Freely - he did not hesitate or delay when we asked him;
(2)Entirely - he pardoned all our offences;
(3)Forever - he did it so as to remember our sins no more, and to treat us ever onward as if we had not sinned.
So we should forgive an offending brother.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain Forbearing--as to present offenses.
Forbearing--as to present offenses.
forgiving--as to past offenses.
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quarrel--rather as Greek, "cause of blame," "cause of complaint."
Christ--who had so infinitely greater cause of complaint against us. The oldest manuscripts and Vulgate read "the Lord." English Version is supported by one very old manuscript and old versions. It seems to have crept in from Eph 4:32.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain 13. Forbearing—As to present offences, thus emphasizing the last…
13. Forbearing—As to present offences, thus emphasizing the last two virtues.
Forgiving—The past, freely, absolutely, lovingly.
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Quarrel— Better, ground of complaint.
Even as Christ—Here is the model for our forgiving. For the maintenance of governmental authority he must require the offender to ask forgiveness. So may we when we are, like him, upholders of law. But the spirit which led him to the cross, that he might buy the chance to forgive, will, if it be in us, beget forgiveness of our brethren without the asking.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain 13. forbearing one another] “in love,” adds Eph_4:2. The…
13. forbearing one another] “in love,” adds Eph_4:2. The life of Christian patience has beneath it the living secret of love, the effect and reflection of the love of Christ.
forgiving one another] Lit., “forgiving yourselves,” as in Eph_4:32, where see note in this Series. The A.V. is obviously true to grammatical usage.—It is implied that there would be occasions for forbearance and forgiveness, even in this happy and holy community.
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a quarrel] “a querel,” Wyclif; querelam, Latin Versions.—“A quarrel,” derived through French from Latin, means properly (as here) a complaint (so R.V. here), a charge. Our modern use of the word would imply a wrangle (“it takes two to make a quarrel”). But the case supposed is where A has not done right by B, and B responds by forgiving A, in Christ, and thus avoiding a wrangle.—For a practical illustration of the precept, see e.g. 1Co_6:7.
against any] We say, “a quarrel with any,” because we now use the word “quarrel” in the lowered sense of a wrangle.
even as Christ forgave] R.V. “even as the Lord forgave.” The reading thus rendered has important but not (as it seems to us) decisive support from mss. &c. Its reference meanwhile is probably still to Christ; but under the special character of the heavenly Master. (Cp. Mat_18:27, quoted by Lightfoot, who reads “the Lord” here.)—See the parallel, Eph_4:32. There the Father is the Divine Forgiver; here probably the Son. The Two are One; and the Son, while the Father’s Channel of forgiveness, is also the infinitely free and gracious Giver of it. Cp. Act_5:31.—Observe the deeply practical use of the assurance of pardon.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain (13) Even as Christ forgave you.—The MS. authority is…
(13) Even as Christ forgave you.—The MS. authority is in favour of the word “Lord” instead of Christ; but since the name “Lord” is specially applied to Christ in these Epistles (see, for example, Eph_4:5) there is no real difference. In Eph_4:31 we have “God in Christ forgave you,” because there the example of Christ, as Son of Man, is afterwards to be set forth emphatically as an example of self-sacrifice (Col_3:2), and hence the free mercy of forgiveness is naturally attributed to “God in Christ.” Here, in accordance with the emphatic exaltation of Christ, as all in all, the simpler phrase “Christ (or, the Lord) forgave you” is employed.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other (literally,…
Bearing with one another, and forgiving each other (literally, yourselves), if any one have a complaint against any (Eph_4:1, Eph_4:2, 32 5:1; 1Th_5:14; 1Co_6:7, 1Co_6:8; 2Co_2:10; Mat_6:14, 15 18:21-35; Mar_11:25; Luk_17:3, Luk_17:4) (On "bearing with" or "forbearing," (1Co_4:12; 2Co_11:19, 2Co_11:20; Mat_17:17) It is ascribed to God, with "long-suffering," especially as shown in his dealing with the sins of men before the coming of Christ (Rom_2:4 Rom_3:26: comp. Act_17:30) Long suffering may be shown towards all who do us injury; forbearance especially towards those from whom regard or obedience is due. It falls short of forgiveness, which can only ensue on repentance (Luk_17:3, 4: comp. Rom_3:25, Rom_3:26; Act_17:30) The change of pronoun in the two participial clauses appears also in Eph_4:2 and 32: the first is reciprocal, but the second is reflexive, implying the oneness of the forgiving and the forgiven party. Forgiving a Christian brother, it is as though a man were forgiving himself. (comp. vers. 14, 15; Gal_6:1; Rom_12:5 Rom_15:5-7; and the same variation in 1Pe_4:8-10) "Forgive" is literally "to grant grace," used of Divine forgiveness m. (Col_2:13 (see note) The words, "if any have any complaint," etc., would certainly apply to Philemon as against Onesimus (Phm_1:18, 19; comp. 2Co_2:5-11; Mar_11:25) Even as the Lord (or, Christ) forgave you, so also ye (Col_2:13; Eph_4:32 Eph_1:7; Rom_3:24; 2Co_5:19; Act_13:38 Act_5:31; 1Jn_1:9; Mat_9:1-8 Mat_18:27; Exo_34:6, Exo_34:7; Psa_103:3) This argument is latent in the appeal to the "elect" and "beloved" of ver. 12. The evidence for the alternative readings, "Lord" and "Christ," is nearly equal in weight. In any case, the "Lord" is "Christ" in this passage: (Col_2:6 Col_3:17, Col_3:24) and that he forgave. (comp. Col_1:20, note) is quite consistent with the assertion that God forgave, (Col_2:13) for God forgave "in Christ". (Eph_4:32) So "God in Christ reconciled"; (2Co_5:19) and yet "Christ reconciled us" (Col_1:20, Col_1:21; Eph_2:16) "Forgiving," supplied in thought from previous context, completes the sense of "so also ye" (Meyer, Alford, Ellicott). To suppose an ellipsis of the imperative, with Light foot and the English Version ("do ye"), is needlessly to break the structure of the sentence. Ver. 14 shows that the leading imperative, "put on," of ver. 12 is still in the writer"s mind. For the reciprocal double kai ("even.., also"), comp. Col_1:6 or Rom_1:13; it is characteristic of the writer.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain Forbearing one smother, and forgiving one another.
Col_3:13
Forbearing one smother, and forgiving one another.
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Forbearance
To forbear is not only freely to forgive, but to meet half way, with extended hand (E. T. E. B.)
.
During the celebrated John Hendersons residence at Oxford, a student of a neighbouring college, proud of his logical achievements, was solicitous of a private disputation. Some mutual friends introduced him, and having chosen his subject, they conversed for some time with equal candour and moderation; but at length Hendersons antagonist, perceiving his own confusion inevitable, in the height of passion threw a full glass of wine in Hendersons face. The latter, without altering his features, or changing his position, gently wiped his face, and coolly replied, This, sir, is a digression. Now for the argument. A greater victory than any controversial success could have given him. (Cottle.)
Divine forgiveness admired and imitated
I. Study the pattern of forgiveness.
1. What is this forgiveness of Christ?
(1) He forgave offences most great and grievous. Men did all they could against Him. Say not that you have never thus transgressed. He was despised, and we esteemed Him not. These offences were unprovoked. Towards no man had He acted harshly. Such is human depravity that His very virtue provoked hostility. They hated Me without a cause. He continues to forgive causeless wrong.
(2) He forgave the most unworthy persons. None deserved such kindness; in fact, to talk of deserving it is a contradiction. If He had left us in our sin we could have brought no complaint against Him.
(3) He had always power to execute vengeance. Some pardon because they cannot punish. Half the forgiveness in the world comes from weakness of hand rather than forgiveness of heart.
2. How did He forgive?
(1) Unsolicited. Before we had thought of mercy He had thoughts of mercy toward us. I have blotted out … return unto Me. Pardon is not first as matter of experience, but it is as matter of fact with God.
(2) Heartily. Forgiveness when it comes from human lips in studied phrase is not worth the having: but when Jesus absolves it is from the heart, and sin is put away for ever.
(3) Completely. He keeps no back reckonings. I will not remember thy sins. Even fathers, when they have forgiven a wayward child, will, perhaps, throw the offence in his teeth years after; but Christ says, Thy sins shall not be mentioned against thee any more.
(4) Continuously. He forgave us long ago. He still forgives. It is not a reprieve, but a free pardon.
(5) Graciously. Some people make it appear as though they were coming down from such awful heights. You newer feel that about Christ. He never scalds the sinner with scornful pity.
(6) Greatly. The offence had brought trouble into the world, and He bore that trouble. Some people hand us over to consequences; Christ delivers us from them.
(7) Consciously. There is a theory abroad that we may be forgiven and not know it. But the Holy Spirit writes forgiveness on our hearts.
II. Copy it for yourselves.
1. This precept is universally applicable. It is unqualified in its range. It is not put that superiors are to forgive inferiors, or the less are to forgive the greater. The rich are to be forbearing to the poor, and the poor to the rich; the elder is to forgive the junior for his imprudence, and the junior the elder for his petulence and slowness.
2. This forbearance and forgiveness are vital. No man is a child of God who has not a likeness to God; and no man is forgiven who will not himself forgive.
3. Gloriously ennobling. Revenge is paltry; forgiveness is great-minded. David was greater than Saul, and Saul acknowledged it. To win a battle is a little thing if fought out with sword and gun, but to win it in Gods way with love and forgiveness is the best of victories. A nation in fighting, even if it wins the campaign, has to suffer, but he that overcomes by love is all the better and stronger for it.
4. Logically appropriate to all. If our Lord has forgiven us ten thousand talents, how can we take our brother by the throat for one hundred pence.
5. Most forcibly sustained by the example in the text. Even as Christ. It is said
(1) If you pass by every wanton offence you will come to be despised. But has Christs honour suffered? Far from it. It is His glory to forgive.
(2) If we overlook offences, other people may be tempted to wrong us. But has any been tempted to do so because Christ has forgiven you? Why, that is the very ground work of holiness.
(3) I know several pious persons who are unforgiving. But that proves their impiety; and if it did not, the Master is your example, not your fellow-servant, particularly in his faults.
(4) These persons would not have forgiven me. Just so; but you are a child of God, and must not lower your standard down to that of publicans and sinners.
(5) I would forgive him, but he does not deserve it. That is why you are to forgive him; if he deserved it you would be bound to do him the justice he could claim.
(6) I cannot forgive. You can do all things through Christ that strengthens you. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Human forgiveness
The world is rife with human quarrels; families, neighbour-hoods, Churches, have their quarrels. They arise from many principles in the depraved heart besides misunderstandings. Hence forgiveness is important. The text suggests two things concerning forgiveness.
I. The duty. Here it is urged as well as in other places (Rom_12:19). Besides this there are two reasons.
1. You desire forgiveness yourself. Who would like to have the vengeance of a man always in his heart towards him? If you would like forgiveness, you must do as you would be done by.
2. You need forgiveness yourself when you have offended. He who cannot forgive others breaks the bridge over which he himself has to pass. Besides, an unforgiving spirit is an injury to its possessor.
II. Its model. Even as Christ.
1. How did Christ forgive? Promptly, generously, fully, without any reflection upon past offences.
2. Examples: The woman taken in adultery. His enemies--Father, forgive them. The dying thief. (D. Thomas, D. D.)
Forgiveness
implies--
1. The remission of the right to retaliate when safe and proper.
2. The dismissal of the revengeful feelings which injury may have excited.
3. The revival of those feelings of goodwill which it becomes us habitually to cherish. (W. Fleming.)
Forth-giving
To forgive a thing is to forthgive by your own act and freewill, to give it forth from you that it may go clean out from you--out of sight and out of mind.
Forgiveness a distinctively Christian virtue
We cannot say that it was unknown to the ancients; under certain conditions, no doubt, it was very common. In domestic life, in which all the germs of Christian virtue are to be found, it was undoubtedly common. Undoubtedly friends fell out and were reconciled in antiquity as among ourselves. But when the only relation between the two parties was that of injurer and injured, and the only claim of the offender to forgiveness was that he was a human being, then forgiveness seems not only not to have been practised, but not to have been enjoined nor approved. People not only did not forgive their enemies, but did not wish to do so, nor think better of themselves for having done so. That man considered himself fortunate who on his deathbed could say, in reviewing his past life, that no one had done more good to his friends or more mischief to his foes. The Roman Triumph, with its naked ostentation of revenge, fairly represents the common feeling of the ancients. Nevertheless, forgiveness even of any enemy was not unknown to them. They could conceive it, and they could feel that there was- a Divine beauty in it, but it seemed to them more than could be expected of human nature, superhuman. (Ecce Homo.)
International forgiveness
Is that which is right between individuals wrong as between societies? Am I to forbear and forgive when acting alone, but when associated with two or three others am I to manifest a different spirit? Is my individual conscience to be merged in the associated conscience, and does the Christian law for a society differ from the law for individuals? Enlarge the society till it becomes the nation. Is the law of Christ abrogated? It would seem to be so considered by the Christian nations of the world. Why is Europe in time of peace an entrenched camp? Why are millions of the strongest and healthiest men withdrawn from productive labours and domestic life to be trained in the art of killing, while the people groan under the burden of a taxation and a poverty God never sent? Because in international law there is so little recognition of the Divine precept--forbearing one another and forgiving one another. Because many who in their private relations manifest meekness and gentleness, as politicians and statesmen seem to think the old Pagan law is unrepealed. How few of the wars which have desolated Europe during the last thousand years would have been waged had it been more than nominally Christian l If instead of resenting every supposed affront, of vindicating on every petty occasion what is called the honour of a flag, of supposing the dignity of an empire precludes all forbearance, patience, and concession, there had been even a little of the bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering enjoined in our text, the history of the world had been differently written; heathen nations would have said, see how these Christians love; instead of the flags of Europe inspiring terror in distant regions, they would have been everywhere hailed as symbols of peace; and the old prophecy would have had a fulfilment in the case of Christendom--the joy of the whole earth is Mount Zion. (Newman Hall, LL. B.)
A quarrel--
A quarrel: Both sides wrong
In most quarrels there is a fault on both sides. A quarrel may be compared to a spark, which cannot be produced without a flint as well as a steel; either of them may hammer on wood for ever, no fire will follow. (R. South.)
Quarrels prolonged
I have seen in the south of France a row of beggars sitting on the side of a bridge, day after day, winter and summer, showing sore legs and sore arms; these sores never get well, they were kept continually raw with caustic in order to excite compassion and obtain alms. And the most bitter jealousy reigned between these beggars as to the size and irritability of their respective sores. The man with only an inflamed knee burned with envy of the man whose whole leg was raw. Not for all the world would they let their wounds heal, as that would cut off from them a means of livelihood. I fear a great many people love their grievances against neighbours much as those beggars loved their sores. They keep them constantly open and irritable by inventing and applying fresh aggravations. They are proud of them, they like to expose their wrongs, as they call them, to all their neighbours. (S. Baring-Gould.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
B. W. Johnson 1891 · Public Domain 13. Forbearing … forgiving. How often and earnestly long-suffering…
13. Forbearing … forgiving. How often and earnestly long-suffering and forbearance are enjoined! Nor have we grounds for expecting that God will forgive us unless we also forgive (Matt. 6:12). Christ is our example.
B. W. Johnson's The People's New Testament with Notes (1889–1891) — public domain. Electronic text from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library (CCEL) ThML edition.