Translations

Different Greek words with different meaning are translated as "forgive" in the modern English bibles with the result that people often confuse these different concepts with each other.

apoluó

The Greek word "apoluó" means to formally release someone from his/her obligations, debt or imprisonment.

• 630 apolýō (from 575 /apó, "away from" and 3089 /lýō, "to loose, release") – properly, to let go; release (discharge), dismiss. This term implies the release (annulment) of an existing bond.
• 630 /apolýō ("to release") is specifically used of divorcing a marital partner (Mt 1:19, 5:31,32, 19:7-9 – parallels at Mk 10:2-12; Lk 16:18).

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"apoluó" is translated as "forgive" in:

Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive (apoluó), and ye shall be forgiven (apoluó). -- Luke 6:37 (KJV)

Other translations of the same word "apoluó":

charizomai

The Greek word "charizomai" refers to the act of showing underserved favor or kindness instead of revenge.

• Cognate: 5483 xarízomai (from 5485 /xáris, "grace, extending favor") – properly, to extend favor ("grace"), freely give favor to grant forgiveness (pardon).
• 5483 /xarízomai ("favor that cancels") is used of God giving His grace to pardon. This is freely done and therefore not based on any merit of the one receiving forgiveness.
• [5483 (xarízomai) literally means, "to exercise grace, freely show favor," i.e. willingly ("graciously") bestow.]

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"charizomai" is translated as "forgive" in the context of:

• Forgiving your enemy: 2 Corinthians 2:7-10
• Forgiving Paul: 2 Corinthians 12:13
• Forgiving believers: Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13
• Christ forgiving his disciples: Colossians 2:13, 3:13

Other translations of the same word "charizomai":

aphiémi

The Greek word "aphiémi" has a broader meaning which depends on the context.

NAS Word Usage - Total: 146

• to send away
  • to bid going away or depart
  • of a husband divorcing his wife
  • to send forth, yield up, to expire
  • to let go, let alone, let be
  • to disregard
  • to leave, not to discuss now, (a topic) 1c
• of teachers, writers and speakers
  • to omit, neglect
  • to let go, give up a debt, forgive, to remit
  • to give up, keep no longer
• to permit, allow, not to hinder, to give up a thing to a person
• to leave, go way from one
  • in order to go to another place
  • to depart from any one
  • to depart from one and leave him to himself so that all mutual claims are abandoned
  • to desert wrongfully
  • to go away leaving something behind
  • to leave one by not taking him as a companion
  • to leave on dying, leave behind one
  • to leave so that what is left may remain, leave remaining
  • abandon, leave destitute

The Greek word "aphiémi" is translated as "forgive" in the context of:

• The God, the Father to forgive repentant people's sin: Acts 8:22; Romans 4:7; 1 John 1:9
• The God, the Father to forgive the prayer's debts/trespasses: Acts 8:22; Romans 4:7; 1 John 1:9
  • But, the condition is that the prayer also forgive other people: Matthew 6:12-15; Mark 11:25; Luke 11:4
• Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven: Matthew 12:31-32; Mark 3:28-29
• Jesus forgive people's sin on behalf of the Father: Matthew 9:2-6; Mark 2:6-10; Luke 5:20-23
• Jesus forgive people's sin against himself: Matthew 12:32
• Jesus request the Father to forgive people: Luke 23:34
• Jesus expected the disciples to continue forgiving other people's repeated sin: Matthew 18:21; Luke 17:3-4
• The disciples have the power to forgive or withold sin against other people: John 20:23

Other translations of the same word "aphiémi":