“Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
In plain words: Be patient with the people around you, and when someone has wronged you, let it go. Forgive them the way the Lord has forgiven you.
What Colossians 3:13 means.
The standard for forgiveness isn’t how sorry they are. It’s how much God has forgiven you.
Common questions about Colossians 3:13
Does forgiving someone mean what they did was okay?
No. Forgiving doesn't say the hurt was small or that it didn't matter. If it didn't matter, there would be nothing to forgive. To forgive is to give up your right to get even and to stop holding the wrong over that person. God does this with us. He never pretends our wrongs are fine. Jesus paid the cost of them on the cross, so forgiveness is real. Romans 5:8 says God showed His love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
Apply it today: Name one hurt you are carrying, admit to yourself that it was wrong, and tell God you want to let it go.
What if the person never says sorry?
This verse doesn't wait for an apology. It points to how God forgave us, and He made the first move. Romans 5:8 says Christ died for us while we were still sinners, before we ever turned to Him. So you can let go of your anger even if the other person never says sorry. Forgiving is something that happens in your own heart. Trusting that person again is a different thing, and it can wait until you see real change.
Apply it today: Pray one short sentence asking God to be kind to the person who hurt you.
What if I forgive but still feel hurt, or I am not safe?
Forgiving is a choice, and feelings often catch up slowly. You may need to choose it again and again. That is normal. Bearing with one another is about patience in everyday life. It does not mean staying where you are being harmed. If someone is hurting, threatening or controlling you, your safety comes first. You can forgive and still keep your distance. Forgiveness lets go of revenge. It does not hand someone another chance to hurt you.
Apply it today: Tell one person you trust about the hurt today, so you don't have to carry it alone.
Ask anything about it.
Every question gets a clear answer in seconds, and a way to live it today.
Live it today.
Be the first one to move. Send the text, make the call, say “I’m sorry” first. Forgiveness isn’t weakness. It’s what God did for you.
Pray it back.
Lord, You forgave me completely. I choose to forgive the same way, starting today.
Carry it all day.
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One verse every morning at 7 a.m. your time. Leave any time.