dv0715-Daily Verse

Author: Stephen Weller
1,249 words, 7 minutes read time

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Forgive One Another

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 ESV)

This verse is found at the end of a section titled, “The New Life” in The ESV Study Bible. The section is packed full of things our lives should display as evidence of our new life in Jesus Christ. Since the Holy Spirit lives within us we have the resource available to allow us to live this kind of new lifestyle if we choose. That choice is reflected in how we apply Galatians 2:20 (ESV) to our lives: “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The Holy Spirit is God and God is love (1 John 4:8, 16) and thus the fruit of the Spirit is love and the characteristics of love are “joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, [and] self-control (Galatians 5:22 – 23). As we allow God’s love to be expressed through our lives we will “be kind to one another” no matter how we are be treated by them.

We are to be “tenderhearted” which can be expressed as having a kind, gentle, or sentimental nature. Tenderheartedness is thus another expression of God’s love being lived out through us.

We are to “[forgive] one another” which may not be so easy at times and has a connection to what God does. For example, in Matthew 6:14 – 15 ESV: ¹⁴ “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, ¹⁵ but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” We must remember that God first forgave us our sin at our salvation and on a daily basis, we need his forgiveness. We are also reminded in the Lord’s Prayer to pray for God to forgive us our sins as we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us (Luke 11:4).

Where forgiveness becomes very difficult is under persecution when we are being denied privileges, or having our possessions taken from us, or seeing family members being abused, or ourselves being imprisoned and even being tortured for our faith. It is difficult not to demand and seek justice, but when we leave justice in the hands of God, we are then free to forgive those who cause us to suffer. This is what I am hearing again and again from those who experience persecution.

God in Christ has forgiven us because of Jesus taking our sin on himself as he died in our place on the cross and in exchange clothed us with his righteousness. Through his blood, we are forgiven and cleansed of our sin and “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9 ESV), but that implies that we will go and do likewise and forgive others.

Father this is just one example of instruction you have given us in how to live godly lives and the resources to draw upon as we do life together with others. There is so much more available to us if we would only take the time to study the Bible, the handbook on how to live and a guide to the sources of resources needed to so live.

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Summary Theme

Forgiving Others Because God Has Forgiven Us

Summary Paragraph

Ephesians 4:32 summarizes the heart of Christian relationships by calling believers to reflect the character of Christ in their daily interactions. Paul instructs Christians to be kind, tenderhearted, and forgiving toward one another. These qualities are not based on human effort alone but flow from the transforming grace of God. The motivation for forgiving others is found in the gospel itself: just as God has freely forgiven us through Christ, we are to extend that same forgiveness to others. This verse reminds believers that kindness softens hearts, compassion meets the needs of others, and forgiveness breaks the cycle of bitterness and resentment. Living this way demonstrates God’s love and strengthens the unity of the body of Christ.

Discussion Questions with Extended Answers:

1. Why does Paul connect kindness, compassion, and forgiveness in this verse?

Answer:
These three qualities naturally complement one another and reveal a Christlike heart. Kindness expresses itself through gracious actions and words. Tenderheartedness reflects genuine compassion and sensitivity toward the struggles and weaknesses of others. Forgiveness removes barriers created by sin and restores broken relationships. Together they form the pattern of Christian love. When believers cultivate kindness and compassion, forgiveness becomes the natural response rather than retaliation. Paul shows that true Christian character is not merely avoiding wrong behavior but actively displaying God’s love in everyday relationships.

2. What does it mean to forgive “just as God in Christ forgave you”?

Answer:
God’s forgiveness is complete, undeserved, and motivated entirely by His grace. Through Jesus Christ, God removed the penalty of sin and restored believers to fellowship with Himself. Paul reminds Christians that the forgiveness they have received should become the model for the forgiveness they extend to others. This does not mean overlooking sin or pretending wrongs never occurred, but choosing to release bitterness, refuse revenge, and seek reconciliation whenever possible. Remembering the magnitude of God’s mercy toward us makes it difficult to withhold mercy from others.

3. Why is forgiveness essential in the Christian life?

Answer:
Forgiveness reflects the very heart of the gospel. Every believer has experienced God’s undeserved forgiveness through Christ, making forgiveness a defining characteristic of Christian living. Refusing to forgive allows bitterness, anger, and division to grow, damaging both personal relationships and spiritual health. Forgiveness frees the believer from the burden of resentment and opens the door to healing and reconciliation. While forgiveness may not immediately restore trust in every situation, it demonstrates obedience to God and allows His grace to work in both the forgiver and the one being forgiven.

4. How can believers develop a tenderhearted spirit in a world that often encourages harshness?

Answer:
A tenderhearted spirit grows through a close relationship with Christ and continual dependence upon the Holy Spirit. As believers meditate on God’s mercy, they become more aware of their own need for grace and more compassionate toward the weaknesses of others. Prayer, humility, and regular study of Scripture reshape attitudes and soften hardened hearts. Instead of responding with criticism or anger, Christians learn to respond with patience, empathy, and love. This attitude reflects the compassion Jesus consistently demonstrated throughout His earthly ministry.

5. How does living according to Ephesians 4:32 strengthen the church and witness to the world?

Answer:
When believers consistently practice kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, the church becomes a visible demonstration of God’s transforming grace. Healthy relationships promote unity, peace, and mutual encouragement, enabling the church to fulfill its mission effectively. The world often expects conflict, revenge, and division, but genuine forgiveness stands in sharp contrast to those values. A forgiving church testifies that the gospel truly changes lives and relationships. As Christians imitate God’s forgiveness, they point others to the saving work of Jesus Christ and reveal His love through both words and actions.