Should Believers Forgive Themselves?

". . . bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you" (Colossians 3:13).

Bearing with one another means "to endure, to hold out in spite of persecution, threats, injury, indifference, or complaints and not retaliate." It characterized Paul, who told the Corinthians, "when we are reviled, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure" (1 Cor. 4:12). It did not characterize the Corinthians, who were actually taking each other to court. Paul exclaims, "Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded?" (1 Cor. 6:7). Believers are to exhibit forbearance (Eph. 4:2). Such were the Thessalonians, of whom Paul wrote, "We ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure [anexomai, the same term used here in 3:13]" (2 Thess. 1:4). . . .

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