Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and ConceptPardon, in biblical terms, refers to the act of forgiving or being forgiven for an offense or sin. It is a central theme in Christian theology, emphasizing God's mercy and grace towards humanity. Pardon involves the removal of guilt and the restoration of a right relationship with God.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the concept of pardon is closely linked with the sacrificial system and the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The Hebrew word often translated as "pardon" is "סָלַח" (salach), which signifies forgiveness or the act of sparing someone from punishment.
One of the earliest mentions of pardon is found in
Exodus 34:9, where Moses intercedes for the Israelites, saying, "If now I have found favor in Your sight, my Lord, please go with us. Although this is a stiff-necked people, forgive our iniquity and sin, and take us as Your inheritance." Here, pardon is sought as an act of divine grace despite the people's rebellion.
The sacrificial system, particularly the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), was instituted as a means for the Israelites to receive pardon for their sins.
Leviticus 16 outlines the rituals performed by the high priest to atone for the sins of the nation, symbolizing God's willingness to forgive.
New Testament FulfillmentIn the New Testament, the concept of pardon is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek word "ἀφίημι" (aphiēmi) is often used to denote forgiveness or the release from the penalty of sin. Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate act of pardon, providing a way for all humanity to be reconciled to God.
Ephesians 1:7 states, "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This verse highlights that pardon is a gift of grace, made possible through the atoning sacrifice of Christ.
The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of believers extending pardon to others. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (
Matthew 6:12). This reflects the reciprocal nature of forgiveness in the Christian life, where receiving God's pardon compels believers to forgive others.
Theological SignificancePardon is foundational to the Christian understanding of salvation. It underscores the belief that humans are inherently sinful and in need of God's mercy. Through faith in Jesus Christ, believers receive pardon, which is not earned by works but granted by grace.
Romans 5:8-9 illustrates this profound truth: "But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him!" Pardon is thus seen as an expression of God's love and justice, where sin is not overlooked but dealt with through the sacrifice of Christ.
Practical ImplicationsThe doctrine of pardon has practical implications for Christian living. It calls believers to a life of repentance, humility, and gratitude. Recognizing the depth of God's forgiveness should inspire a commitment to holiness and a desire to extend grace to others.
Colossians 3:13 exhorts believers, "Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This command reflects the transformative power of pardon, encouraging a community marked by love and reconciliation.
In summary, pardon is a profound biblical concept that reveals the heart of God towards humanity. It is a testament to His mercy, a cornerstone of salvation, and a guiding principle for Christian conduct.
Topical Bible Verses
Matthew 6:14-15For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Topicalbible.org1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Topicalbible.org
Hebrews 2:17
Why in all things it behooved him to be made like to his brothers, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Topicalbible.org
Easton's Bible Dictionary
The forgiveness of sins granted freely (
Isaiah 43:25), readily (
Nehemiah 9:17;
Psalm 86:5), abundantly (
Isaiah 55:7;
Romans 5:20). Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission of the penalty due to sin, but securing neither honour nor reward to the pardoned. Justification (q.v.), on the other hand, is the act of a judge, and not of a sovereign, and includes pardon and, at the same time, a title to all the rewards and blessings promised in the covenant of life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
n.) The act of pardoning; forgiveness, as of an offender, or of an offense; release from penalty; remission of punishment; absolution.
2. (n.) An official warrant of remission of penalty.
3. (n.) The state of being forgiven.
4. (n.) A release, by a sovereign, or officer having jurisdiction, from the penalties of an offense, being distinguished from amnesty, which is a general obliteration and canceling of a particular line of past offenses.
5. (v. t.) To absolve from the consequences of a fault or the punishment of crime; to free from penalty; -- applied to the offender.
6. (v. t.) To remit the penalty of; to suffer to pass without punishment; to forgive; -- applied to offenses.
7. (v. t.) To refrain from exacting as a penalty.
8. (v. t.) To give leave (of departure) to.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
PARDONpar'-d'n, par'-dun.
SeeFORGIVENESS.
Greek
859. aphesis -- dismissal, release, fig.pardon...pardon. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: aphesis Phonetic Spelling:
(af'-es-is) Short Definition: deliverance,
pardon, complete forgiveness
...630. apoluo -- to set free, release
... to set free, release NASB Word Usage dismissed (1), divorce (3), divorced (2), divorces
(5), freed (1), leaving (1), let...go (2),pardon (1), pardoned (1...
5483. charizomai -- to show favor, give freely
... charizomai Phonetic Spelling: (khar-id'-zom-ahee) Short Definition: I show favor
to, forgive Definition: (a) I show favor to, (b) Ipardon, forgive, (c) I show...
1813. exaleipho -- to wipe out, erase, obliterate
... blot out, wipe away. From ek and aleipho; to smear out, ie Obliterate (erase tears,
figuratively,pardon sin) -- blot out, wipe away. see GREEK ek....
2433. hilaskomai -- to be propitious, make propitiation for
... mercy on, show favor to, (b) trans. with object of sins: I forgive,pardon.
Cognate: 2433 (akin to 2434 , "propitiation, appeasement...
Strong's Hebrew
5545. salach -- to forgive,pardon... salach. 5546 . to forgive,
pardon. Transliteration: salach Phonetic Spelling:
(saw-lakh') Short Definition: forgive. Word Origin a prim.
... forgive,
pardon, spare
...5547. selichah -- forgiveness
... forgiveness,pardon. From calach;pardon -- forgiveness,pardon. see HEBREW
calach. 5546b, 5547. selichah. 5548 . Strong's Numbers.
3722. kaphar -- to cover over, pacify, make propitiation
... appease, make an atonement, cleanse, disannul, forgive, be merciful, pacify,
pardon, A primitive root; to cover (specifically with...
5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... lifts (4), load (2), loaded (3), lofty (1), longing* (1), looked* (2), make (1),
married (1), must be carried (1), obtained (1), offer (3),pardon (2), pardons...
7521. ratsah -- to be pleased with, accept favorably
... be) accept(-able), accomplish, set affection, approve, consent with, delight (self),
enjoy, (be, have a) favour(-able), like, observe,pardon, (be, have, take...
3722a. kaphar -- to cover over, pacify, make propitiation
... expiation can be made (1), forgave (1), forgive (4), forgiven (5), made atonement
(3), make atonement (71), makes atonement (2), making atonement (1),pardon (1...
Library
Pardon.
... REPENTANCE AND REFORMATION. 336. "Pardon. 336. CPM Henry Moore.Pardon.
1 Soft are the fruitful showers that bring The welcome...
In Fine, Supplication forPardon, with Humble and Ingenuous...
... Of Prayer. John Calvin Chapter 9 In fine, supplication forpardon, with humble
and ingenuous confession of guilt? In fine, supplication...
A Prayer forPardon and Its Plea
... VOLUME I: PSALMS I to XLIX A PRAYER FORPARDON AND ITS PLEA. 'For Thy name's sake,
O Lord,pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.'"Psalm 25:11....
Pardon and Peace
... SERMON XXIX.PARDON AND PEACE. (Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.) Psalm 32:1-7.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered....
Sufficiency ofPardon.
... of the stanza. Hymn 2:85. Sufficiency ofpardon. 1 Why does your face,
ye humble souls, Those mournful colours wear? What doubts...
And Wilt ThouPardon, Lord.
... AND WILT THOUPARDON, LORD. The following Stanzas are a Cento from the Canon for
the Monday of the First Tone, in the Paracletice.... And wilt Thoupardon, LORD,....
David's Cry forPardon
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV DAVID'S CRY FORPARDON. '... Blot out my... three
aspects. It is not merelypardon for which he asks. He...
Of Repentance, ofPardon, and the Commands of God.
... the divine institutes Book VI. Of True Worship. Chap. XXIV."Of Repentance,
ofPardon, and the Commands of God. Nor, however, let...
Pardon and Strength from Christ.
... Hymns. Book 3. Prepared for the Lord's Supper. Hymn 3:24.Pardon and strength
from Christ. 1 Father, we wait to feel thy grace, To...
Faith in Christ forPardon and Sanctification.
... stanza. Hymn 2:90. Faith in Christ forpardon and sanctification. 1 How
sad our state by nature is! Our sin how deep it stains!...
Thesaurus
Pardon (31 Occurrences)...Pardon is an act of a sovereign, in pure sovereignty, granting simply a remission
of the penalty due to sin, but securing neither honour nor reward to the
...Pauline
... God was merciful and wouldpardon the offender against the Law, if he completely
amended his ways. But imperfect reformation brought no certain hope ofpardon....
Pardoned (21 Occurrences)
... & pp) ofPardon.... Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you shall not be judged; condemn not,
and you shall not be condemned;pardon, and you shall be pardoned; (WEY NAS)....
Pardoning (2 Occurrences)
... n.) ofPardon. 2. (a.) Relating topardon; having or exercising the right topardon;
willing topardon; merciful; as, the pardoning power; a pardoning God....
Excuse (13 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) Topardon, as a fault; to forgive entirely, or to admit to be little censurable,
and to overlook; as, we excuse irregular conduct, when extraordinary...
Forgive (81 Occurrences)
... 2. (vt) To give up resentment or claim to requital on account of (an offense or
wrong); to remit the penalty of; topardon; -- said in reference to the act...
Leaning (11 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 5:18 In this thing the LORDpardon thy servant: when my master goeth into
the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I...
Leans (7 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 5:18 In this thing may Yahwehpardon your servan: when my master goes into
the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leans on my hand, and I bow...
Leaneth (6 Occurrences)
... 2 Kings 5:18 In this thing the LORDpardon thy servant, that when my master goeth
into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I...
Wondrous (41 Occurrences)
... among them; but hardened their neck, and in their rebellion appointed a captain
to return to their bondage; but Thou art a God ready topardon, gracious and...
Resources
What are the 95 Theses of Martin Luther? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about guilt? | GotQuestions.orgSince God withholds forgiveness, can we? | GotQuestions.orgPardon: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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