Definition and Concept
In biblical terms, a pardon refers to the act of forgiving or being forgiven for an offense or sin. It is a release from the penalty of sin and is often associated with the mercy and grace of God. Pardons are a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's willingness to forgive those who repent and turn to Him.

Old Testament Context
The concept of pardon is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where it is often linked with God's covenantal relationship with Israel. In Exodus 34:6-7 , God reveals Himself to Moses as "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion and truth, maintaining loving devotion to a thousand generations, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin." This passage highlights God's nature as one who pardons, yet it also emphasizes His justice, as He does not leave the guilty unpunished.

The sacrificial system established in Leviticus provided a means for the Israelites to seek pardon for their sins. Leviticus 4 outlines the sin offering, which was a way for individuals to receive forgiveness for unintentional sins. The Day of Atonement, described in Leviticus 16, was an annual event where the high priest would make atonement for the sins of the nation, symbolizing God's provision for pardon.

New Testament Fulfillment
In the New Testament, the concept of pardon is fulfilled in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross is the ultimate means by which God offers pardon to humanity. In Matthew 26:28 , Jesus states, "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins." Here, Jesus establishes the new covenant, offering pardon through His blood.

The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this in Ephesians 1:7 : "In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace." This verse underscores the idea that pardon is a gift of grace, not earned by human effort but granted through faith in Christ.

Repentance and Faith
Pardon in the Bible is closely linked with repentance and faith. In Acts 3:19 , Peter calls for repentance: "Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away." Repentance involves a genuine turning away from sin and turning toward God. Faith in Jesus Christ is the means by which individuals receive God's pardon, as emphasized in Romans 3:22-24 : "And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."

Divine Mercy and Human Responsibility
While God's pardon is freely offered, it also carries a responsibility for believers to extend forgiveness to others. In the Lord's Prayer, Jesus teaches His disciples to pray, "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (Matthew 6:12). This reflects the principle that those who have received pardon are called to forgive others, as further emphasized in Ephesians 4:32 : "Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."

Conclusion
The biblical concept of pardon is a profound expression of God's love and mercy, offering forgiveness and restoration to those who seek Him with a repentant heart. Through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ, believers are assured of God's pardon, which transforms their relationship with Him and with others.5545. salach -- to forgive, pardon
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to forgive, pardon NASB Word Usage forgive
(19), forgiven (13), pardon (12), pardoned (2), pardons (1). ...
/hebrew/5545.htm - 6k

5375. nasa -- to lift, carry, take
... 2), loaded (3), lofty (1), longing* (1), looked* (2), make (1), married (1), must
be carried (1), obtained (1), offer (3), pardon (2), pardons (1), partial* (2 ...
/hebrew/5375.htm - 8k

God Pardons Sins, but on Condition of Penitence, Certain Times for ...
... Chapter 65."God Pardons Sins, But on Condition of Penitence, Certain Times
for Which Have Been Fixed by the Law of the Church. ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 65 god pardons sins but.htm

The Malice of Antipater and Doris. Alexander is Very Uneasy on ...
... Alexander Is Very Uneasy On Glaphyras Account. Herod Pardons Pheroras, Whom He
Suspected, And Salome Whom He Knew To Make Mischief Among Them. ...
/.../chapter 24 the malice of.htm

Dr. Martin Luther Concerning Penitence and Indulgences.
... 33. We must especially beware of those who say that these pardons from the Pope
are that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to God. 34. ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/disputation of dr martin luther.htm

Doctor Martin Luther on the Power and Efficacy of Indulgences
... 33. Men must be on their guard against those who say that the pope's pardons are
that inestimable gift of God by which man is reconciled to Him; 34. ...
/.../luther/martin luthers 95 theses/disputation of doctor martin luther.htm

Reuben Johnson Pardoned.
... rolled away and the prisoners were brought up"1,100 of them"and the President of
the commission came up and said: "I hold in my hand pardons for five men ...
/.../moody/moodys anecdotes and illustrations/reuben johnson pardoned.htm

Whether Sin Can be Pardoned Without Penance?
... regard to children. But He pardons the sins of children without Penance.
Therefore He also pardons adults without penance. Objection 2 ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sin can be pardoned.htm

The Two Debtors.
... She listened too, and heard some wonderful words; God loved the world; God pardons
sin"pardons freely, pardons it all; pardons chief sinners; loves to pardon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/xvi the two debtors.htm

Justification
... A: It is an act of God's free grace, whereby he pardons all our sins, and accepts
us as righteous in his sight, only for the righteousness of Christ, imputed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/3 justification.htm

Moses the Intercessor
... We are apt to think as if our many pardons in the past made future pardons less
likely, whereas the truth is that we have received forgiveness so often in the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/moses the intercessor.htm

Psalm 130:2. LM Pardoning Grace.
... 2 But thou hast built thy throne of grace, Free to dispense thy pardons there, That
sinners may approach thy face, And hope and love, as well as fear. ...
/.../watts/the psalms of david/psalm 130 2 0 l m pardoning.htm

Pardons (4 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Pardons (4 Occurrences). ... Daniel 9:9 With the Lord our God
are mercies and pardons, for we have rebelled against him; (DBY). ...
/p/pardons.htm - 7k

Justification (6 Occurrences)
... As regards its nature, it is the judicial act of God, by which he pardons all the
sins of those who believe in Christ, and accounts, accepts, and treats them ...
/j/justification.htm - 43k

Long-suffering (23 Occurrences)
... done with them, and harden their neck and appoint a head, to turn back to their
service, in their rebellion; and Thou 'art' a God of pardons, gracious, and ...
/l/long-suffering.htm - 13k

Pare (1 Occurrence)

/p/pare.htm - 7k

Pardoning (2 Occurrences)

/p/pardoning.htm - 7k

Retain (24 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes
over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? ...
/r/retain.htm - 15k

Delights (39 Occurrences)
... (DBY). Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes
over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He ...
/d/delights.htm - 17k

Disobedience (49 Occurrences)
... (WEB). Micah 7:18 Who is a God like you, who pardons iniquity, and passes
over the disobedience of the remnant of his heritage? He ...
/d/disobedience.htm - 23k

Remembered (120 Occurrences)
... done with them, and harden their neck and appoint a head, to turn back to their
service, in their rebellion; and Thou 'art' a God of pardons, gracious, and ...
/r/remembered.htm - 37k

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