Forgiveness 70x7
Matthew 18: Jesus' Teaching on Unlimited Forgiveness
Introduction to the Seventy Times Seven
In Matthew 18:21-22, Peter approaches Jesus with what he believes is a generous question about forgiveness. His proposed limit of seven times far exceeded rabbinic teaching, but Jesus' response shattered all notions of keeping score. The famous "seventy times seven" teaching reveals the heart of God's unlimited forgiveness and sets a radical standard for Christian relationships.
The Key Passage
"Then Peter came up and said to him, 'Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?' Jesus said to him, 'I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times.'" — Matthew 18:21-22 (ESV)
Peter's Question: How Often Should I Forgive?
The Context of Matthew 18
Matthew 18 is often called the "Discourse on Church Life" or "Community Discourse." Jesus addresses relationships within the community of believers, including humility, avoiding sin, restoration, and forgiveness. Peter's question comes at the conclusion of this teaching on community relationships.
Peter's Thinking: Peter likely felt quite generous proposing seven times. Rabbinic teaching suggested forgiving three times was sufficient. By suggesting seven, Peter was more than doubling the accepted standard.
The Question Behind the Question: Peter was still thinking in terms of limits—"How much do I have to forgive before I'm excused from forgiving anymore?"
Rabbinic Teaching
Three Times: Based on Amos 1:3-2:8 where God judges after three transgressions, rabbis taught that forgiving three times was sufficient. The fourth offense could be held against the offender.
Keeping Score: This approach assumed forgiveness was about counting offenses and reaching a limit.
Jesus' Teaching
Unlimited: Jesus doesn't raise the limit to 77 or 490—He eliminates the concept of keeping count entirely.
Heart Transformation: True forgiveness flows from a heart that has experienced God's infinite mercy.
Understanding "Seventy Times Seven"
The Number Symbolism
Jesus' response of "seventy-seven times" (some translations say "seventy times seven," which would be 490) draws on rich Old Testament symbolism:
Contrast with Lamech: Lamech boasted of unlimited vengeance. Jesus calls for unlimited forgiveness. Where sin increased, grace abounds all the more (Romans 5:20).
Reversing the Pattern: Jesus reverses the escalating cycle of violence with an escalating cycle of mercy.
Prophetic Connection: Daniel's prophecy of seventy sevens points to God's plan for dealing with sin and bringing righteousness. Jesus' use of similar language may hint at His role in accomplishing this through forgiveness.
Not Mathematics—Attitude
Jesus was not establishing a new limit of 77 or 490 offenses. The number is symbolic, representing completeness and infinity. Just as we cannot put a number on God's forgiveness toward us, we should not limit our forgiveness toward others.
Key Insight
The question isn't "How many times must I forgive?" but "What kind of person am I becoming?" Jesus wants us to become people who forgive freely because we have been forgiven freely.
The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant
Matthew 18:23-35
Immediately after the seventy times seven teaching, Jesus tells the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant to illustrate His point. This parable is essential for understanding the full meaning of unlimited forgiveness.
Parable Summary
- A King Settles Accounts: A servant owes 10,000 talents—an unpayable debt (equivalent to millions of dollars)
- Mercy Received: The king forgives the entire debt out of compassion
- Mercy Refused: The same servant refuses to forgive a fellow servant who owes him 100 denarii (a few months' wages)
- Justice Served: The king revokes his forgiveness and punishes the unforgiving servant
The Point: Those who have received infinite mercy from God must extend mercy to others. Unwillingness to forgive reveals a heart that has not truly grasped God's forgiveness.
"From Your Heart": Jesus emphasizes that forgiveness must be internal and genuine, not merely external compliance.
Comparing the Debts
- 10,000 talents: Approximately 200,000 years' wages—impossible to repay
- 100 denarii: Approximately 100 days' wages—difficult but possible to repay
- The ratio: The first debt is roughly 600,000 times larger than the second
The Parable's Application
Our sin against God is like the unpayable 10,000 talents. Others' sins against us are like the 100 denarii. If God has forgiven us the unpayable debt, how can we refuse to forgive the smaller debt owed to us?
Theological Foundations of Forgiveness
God's Forgiveness Toward Us
The foundation of Christian forgiveness is God's forgiveness toward us in Christ. Scripture consistently teaches that God's forgiveness is:
- Complete: "As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12)
- Unlimited: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins" (1 John 1:9)
- Costly: Forgiveness came through Christ's sacrifice, not divine indifference (Ephesians 1:7)
Paul grounds our forgiveness of others in God's forgiveness of us. The standard is not arbitrary—it flows from what we have received.
Forgiveness and Reconciliation
While forgiveness is unlimited, reconciliation requires repentance. Jesus teaches in Luke 17:3-4: "If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." Forgiveness is a heart attitude; reconciliation is a restored relationship that requires both parties.
Forgiveness and Justice
Forgiveness does not negate justice or consequences. God forgives sinners, but sin still has earthly consequences. Similarly, we can forgive someone while still supporting appropriate accountability.
Practical Application
1. Remember How Much You've Been Forgiven
When struggling to forgive, meditate on God's forgiveness toward you. The cross is the ultimate reminder of the cost of your forgiveness and the pattern you should follow.
2. Stop Keeping Score
If you're counting offenses, you're not forgiving biblically. Love "keeps no record of wrongs" (1 Corinthians 13:5). Release the ledger and let go of the debt.
3. Forgive From the Heart
External compliance isn't enough. Ask God to change your heart toward the offender. This may take time and prayer, but it's the goal Jesus sets.
4. Understand Forgiveness Is a Process
For deep wounds, forgiveness may need to be reaffirmed repeatedly. Each time the hurt surfaces, choose forgiveness again. This isn't failure—it's the seventy times seven principle in action.
5. Seek Reconciliation When Possible
While forgiveness is unilateral, reconciliation is bilateral. If the other party repents, pursue restored relationship. "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18).
6. Get Help When Needed
Some wounds run deep. Don't hesitate to seek pastoral counsel or Christian counseling to work through forgiveness struggles.
"Forgiveness is not a feeling—it's a decision. You may never feel like forgiving, but you can choose to forgive, just as Christ chose to forgive those who crucified Him."
Common Objections and Questions
"Doesn't Unlimited Forgiveness Enable Sin?"
Paul addresses this in Romans 6:1-2: "Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means!" True forgiveness, experienced deeply, produces gratitude and transformation, not license to sin.
"What If They Keep Hurting Me?"
Forgiveness doesn't mean allowing ongoing abuse. You can forgive from your heart while establishing boundaries to protect yourself. Jesus told Peter to forgive, but He also sometimes withdrew from hostile crowds.
"I've Forgiven, But I Still Feel Hurt"
Feelings lag behind decisions. Forgiveness is a choice, but emotional healing takes time. Continue to choose forgiveness when memories surface, and allow God to heal the wounds gradually.
"They Don't Deserve Forgiveness"
Correct—neither did you. That's the point. Forgiveness by definition is undeserved. If it were deserved, it would be justice, not forgiveness.
Key Takeaways About 70x7 Forgiveness
- Jesus eliminates the concept of keeping score on forgiveness
- The number 77 (or 490) symbolizes unlimited, complete forgiveness
- The Parable of the Unforgiving Servant illustrates why we must forgive
- Our forgiveness of others flows from God's forgiveness of us
- Forgiveness is a heart attitude, not merely external compliance
Conclusion
Jesus' teaching on seventy times seven forgiveness challenges every natural impulse toward revenge, score-keeping, and limited mercy. But this radical standard is not arbitrary—it reflects the heart of a God who forgives us infinitely through Christ.
The path to becoming a forgiving person begins at the cross, where we see the depth of our own sin and the greater depth of God's mercy. From that place of humble gratitude, forgiveness becomes not a burden but a natural overflow of a transformed heart.
May we be people who forgive as we have been forgiven—freely, fully, and without limit.