Eudora Posted December 30, 2010 Report Share Posted December 30, 2010 Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? Both. Jesus wants us to literally forgive and He gave us this figurative number to teach us this lesson. If figurative, what are they figurative of? To forgive over and over and over and over, etc What does this teach us about God's willingness to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin? That He will do the same if we repent and trespass against His law. That is what sin is... 1Jo 3:4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saja3 Posted January 3, 2011 Report Share Posted January 3, 2011 These numbers, 77 and 490 are figuratively speaking. It represents unending forgiveness. No matter how many times someone ask for forgiveness, you should forgive. It teaches us that God loves us and is patient and merciful towards us, wanting us all to enter into His Kingdom of Heaven. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted January 12, 2011 Report Share Posted January 12, 2011 a)figuratively, forgive repeatedly b)Figurative of the great lengths(sacrificing son on cross) that God went to forgive our sins & restore our relationship with him. C) God is ever patient with us & doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wifee Posted January 13, 2011 Report Share Posted January 13, 2011 a)figuratively,the number of times is not the point, forgive genuinely &repeatedly, without holding feeling of malice against them or want to treat them unkindly.Luke 17 tells us to forgive those who have brought offence. b)Figurative of the great lengths(sacrificing son on cross) that God went to forgive our sins & restore our relationship with him. C) God is ever patient with us & doesn Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wizzie55 Posted February 14, 2011 Report Share Posted February 14, 2011 FIGURATIVE IT IS HOW MANY TIMES WE ARE TO FORGIVE , THEIR SHOULD BE NO LIMIT HOW MANY TIMES YOU FORGIVE SOMEONE IF WE CONFESS OUR SINS HE WILL ALWAYS FORGIVE US AND WILL NOT REMEMBER THEM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kcjim Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? If figurative, what are they figurative of? What does this teach us about God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyho1 Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? If figurative, what are they figurative of? What does this teach us about Gods willingness to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin? Figuratively or literally does not matter, we are suppose to forgive others as many times as necessary since God has forgive us for our sins when we truly repent, so we should do the same thing as true christians. God is patient and loving since God is willing to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin and won't give us up no matter what. God does not count our sins and remember them, he forgets about them, and throw it away like trash. So we don't have to worry that God will come back and say, I have a record of this sin or that sin and so on and so forth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Raph Posted June 6, 2011 Report Share Posted June 6, 2011 Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? I think we should take this number figuratively. If figurative, what are they figurative of? They are figurative of the fact that, there is no limit in forgiving a person who wrongs you. What does this teach us about God's willingness to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin? This teaches us that, God is willing to forgive us every time we sin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eager Bver Posted June 7, 2011 Report Share Posted June 7, 2011 Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? If figurative, what are they figurative of? What does this teach us about God Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blezed Posted July 31, 2011 Report Share Posted July 31, 2011 Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? If figurative, what are they figurative of? What does this teach us about Gods willingness to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin? 1) We should take these numbers figuratively. 2) They are figurative of the fact that forgiveness goes beyond 77 times or 490 times, there is no end to forgiveness. 3) This teaches us that God willingness to forgive is unlimited to those who are sincere when they repent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gerbrand van Schalkwyk Posted May 7, 2012 Report Share Posted May 7, 2012 Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? Who is going to count up to 490 time how many times they forgive somebody? By the time you get to 13 you are already going to be uncertain how many times you have forgiven. And for somebody to do the same thing wrong 490 times will take a long time. If he does it once a dayit will be over a year. So it is figurative. If figurative, what are they figurative of? Forgive every time. Remember, it is a human being, they are not perfect, just as you are not perfect either. What does this teach us about God�s willingness to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin? i think a lot of people misquote this verse as that you can sin, God.s grace and mercy is big enough, He will forgive you again. 1) The verse is pointing at us as Christians forgiving other people, not only Christians but all people. 2) We must forgive them regardless. It is an instruction to us to always forgive, even if that person didn't ask for forgiveness 3) The Bible tells us clearly for us to receive forgiveness, we must forgive those who sinned against us, confess our sin, give themto Christ, ask for forgiveness and truely repent. If we truely repent we will also change our ways. We will make an active decision not to do it again. We must ask the help of the Holy Spirit to avoid doing it again and work on it. If we then do repeat it, we will have to go through this whole process again. If we truely repent we will be forgiven, but is is very unlikely that you will repeat the sin a 3rd time. This will show that you are not truely repenting and are not working on changing that part of your character. We are one of very few creatures that can decide to change our character, and with God's help we can do it. Repenting means we want to change a bad part of our character. So this verse should not be taken as God forgiving Christians 490 times. We must change after repentace, else we will not be bearing fruit of the Spirit. We will be just the same as non-Christians. By being a repeat ofender we are not showing God the respect He deserves. God know's we will never be able to live without sin, we are humans, but He expects us to strive to be more like Christ. He also knows that once we have beaten one sin, another part of our character that needs change will be reveiled to us. So there will always be something we do that will need forgiveness from God, but we must strive to avoid being repeat offenders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pickledilly Posted September 4, 2012 Report Share Posted September 4, 2012 The numbers Jesus gave were figurative, I’m sure. They would represent our reflection to others of the limitless amount of mercy and forgiveness extended to each of us from our Father. Just as it would be rather difficult to actually keep a scorecard on someone, this reflects the Father’s promise to extend new mercy to every single confessed failure/sin as if it was the first time I committed it. That’s an amazing thought, and I certainly fall short of His example! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacquie7 Posted May 3, 2013 Report Share Posted May 3, 2013 We should take these numbers figuratively -- in that forgiveness is indefinite in true disciples of Christ. God loves and forgives us continually! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tgandy Posted May 3, 2014 Report Share Posted May 3, 2014 The times Jesus said to forgive are figurative. We must always forgive and forget. There is no end to forgiveness. The number 7 mean complete. We are to forgive completely and always. Our Heavenly Father is a forgiving Father. Just do not continue to do the same thing over and over again and expect Him to be patient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernie's Son Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 "Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively?" Figurative. "If figurative, what are they figurative of?" Seven has a very special place in the Scriptures; it has "a special sacred and symbolic number in Hebrew culture." Jesus is telling Peter, in this account, that "forgiveness" has no end; it must continue on and on without ending. "What does this teach us about God's willingness to forgive us repeatedly for the same sin?" If we are to forgive without end to those around us, should we not expect (unworthily and with grace on my part) unlimited forgiveness from the Father? Yes. What about the Lord forgiving us if we continue in the "same sin?" I was just wondering how Romans 6 would play into the "same sin?" Also, in John 5:14 and John 8:11, we find Christ saying "sin no more?" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MosesSole Posted August 1, 2020 Report Share Posted August 1, 2020 On 9/16/2010 at 2:46 PM, Pastor Ralph said: Q1. (Matthew 18:21-22) Jesus says we must forgive 77 times or 490 times. Should we take these numbers literally or figuratively? If figurative, what are they figurative of? What does this teach us about God? This is a way of saying that there is no set limit on the number of times you should forgive someone. It basically means God's love for us which is unconditional. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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