Faith and Forgiveness: Part II - Terms

In order to understand the concept of forgiveness and forgiving as presented in the New Testament we need to consider both of the Greek words that are translated as such and the context in which they’re used. The transliterated word “aphiemi” is the verb most commonly translated to “forgive”, “forgiven”, “forgave” and “forgives” in the New Testament. Strong defined aphiemi as “to send forth, in various applications: - cry, forgive, forsake, lay aside, leave, let (alone, be, go, have), omit, put (send) away, remit, suffer, yield up.” The specific meaning is determined by the context but if we use the general definition we can begin to understand what it means to forgive, or to “send forth” transgressions. There is also a noun, which is used exclusively to indicate God’s forgiveness. The transliterated word “aphesis” is formed from aphiemi and is translated into “remission”, “forgiveness”, “deliverance” and “liberty”. In context aphesis is a present possession that is given to us by God. The implication here is that God gives us forgiveness (noun) as a possession while we are to be forgiving (verb). The difference between what God does and what we are to do is power and permanence. Only God has the ability to “send forth” transgressions while for us it must be a consistent effort of setting them aside. When God grants us forgiveness He sends forth our sins “as far as the east is from the west” and says, “their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” We don’t have the power to cast away sin or the ability to remove a transgression from our memory but, praise God, He does both! God grants forgiveness (aphesis) of sin through Jesus Christ to those who believe on His name.