What is Forgiveness?

The word in Greek for “to forgive” is “aphiemi”, which means literally, “to leave behind, to dismiss”, meaning that the one forgiving is dismissing the sin, debt or lack that is causing a breach in their relationship.  However, there are many words and ideas that accompany the idea of forgiveness.  To understand these many ideas, we will explore different stories that explain forgiveness.

Eating with as a sign of acceptance:

It was a common practice to eat with those whom one found acceptable and to not eat with those who were deemed unacceptable.  Jesus ate with sinners and tax collectors to let them know that their repentance mean forgiveness in the kingdom of God (Mark 2:15-17).  Jesus declared that some Gentiles would eat at the feast of God’s kingdom as a sign of acceptance by God, but the sons of the kingdom would be exiled (Matthew 8:11-12).  The early church was shocked that Peter would eat with Gentiles, which good Jews would never do (Acts 11:1-3).  Peter later refused to eat with Christians who were uncircumcised Gentiles in order to not cause offense to the Jews—however, he did offend the Gentiles (Galatians 2:11-16).  Also, a Christian who is involved in unrepentant sin should not be eaten with in order to indicate their acceptance in God’s people is restricted (I Corinthians 5:11).

This is why, in Anawim, it is not just okay to “serve” a meal to the poor.  Instead, we need to partake the meal with them, for it is offering the opportunity of forgiveness before God to those who have just experienced rejection.  There is a difference between standing over someone serving them and sitting with someone and eating with them!  One is still a higher-lower relationship; the other is fellowship.

Return from exile: (II Samuel 13:30-39, 14:21-33)

Absalom killed the eldest son of the king, and so he was in exile.  In response to pleas, the king agreed to have Absalom return to the kingdom, but not as a son of the king.  Over time, Absalom requested a full pardon and David granted it.  This is true forgiveness—an opportunity to eat with the king face to face.  To eat the king’s food eventually had a symbolic meaning—total acceptance by the king as a confidant, even if you didn’t necessarily see the king face to face (Daniel 1:3-7). 

Offering unworthy sonship: (Luke 15:11-32)

The son who left his father committed a grave offense against him—spuriously spending all the money provided for his inheritance.  When the son returned, he confessed his sin and repented of it, recognizing that he was not worthy to even enter his father’s presence.  However, the father offered full forgiveness—he allowed his son to be a full member of the household as a son, not a slave.  Then, as a display of his forgiveness, he offered a feast to celebrate the return of his son.  To describe forgiveness, the following terms are used: found, brought to life again.

Release from prison: (Genesis 43:23-34)

Joseph put his brother Simeon into prison because of his leadership in selling Joseph into slavery.  After Joseph saw Benjamin, safe and sound, he released Simeon from prison and gave all the brothers a feast in his presence.  However, the Egyptians did not eat with the Hebrews, for the Egyptians found them offensive.  Thus, while Joseph forgave his brothers fully, the Egyptians did not.

Wiping out a debt: (Matthew 18:23-35)

Forgiveness is compared to a man having a large debt, but the debt is forgiven, or wiped out. However, if the debt is not forgiven, then the man is separated or thrown into prison until the debt can be paid by relatives or friends.

Purchasing from slavery: (Psalm 107:10-16)
To show total acceptance of one who is a slave or in bondage, a lord or master can purchase the slave from his current master.  The transfer of  ownership indicates the exile from one realm of authority and the acceptance into another realm of authority.  If a slave was originally under one master, and then sold to another, it shows his exile, or rejection.  When he is purchased (or redeemed) with a price (or ransom) back to the first master, then he is “forgiven.”

Release from sickness (Job 33:15-29)

Elihu gives an example of how people are rejected by God by drawing close to death through sickness.  But after a “ransom” (purchase price) is paid, then the person is released from death and sickness and thus does the Lord show his acceptance, or forgiveness, of that one.

Conclusion:

Forgiveness is not just “having a good feeling” about someone.  Rather, it is total acceptance of that person and continuing to share one’s life and experiences with him or her.  Partial forgiveness can be offered by ceasing to punish someone for their sin.  However, when Scripture speaks of the forgiveness of God (and between brothers) it means total acceptance, a complete restoration of relationship.  This is what the cross offers us, and this is what we are to offer those who have repented of their sin. (Luke 17:3-4)