This forgiving others devotional focuses on the everyday frictions of life together: bearing with people and forgiving the small and large offenses. Paul writes, “as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive” (Colossians 3:13, ESV). Remember how much you have been forgiven, then choose patience and release with the people closest to you.
Key Verse
“bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:13, ESV)
The Setting of Colossians 3
Paul wrote Colossians to a young church in a small town in what is now Turkey. He had never visited them, but he had heard of their faith through Epaphras, who planted the church. In the first two chapters, Paul lifts up the supremacy of Christ: he shows us exactly what the unseen God is like, the one through whom all things were made, and the one who leads his church as its head (Colossians 1:15–18).
Chapter 3 turns to daily life. Since believers now share Christ’s risen life, they are to fix their minds on heavenly things (Colossians 3:1–2). Paul uses the picture of changing clothes. Strip away the old way of life, with its anger, malice, slander, and lies (Colossians 3:8–9). Then dress in the new self, like a new set of garments: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience (Colossians 3:12). Our key verse describes what those new clothes look like when people rub each other the wrong way.
Forgiveness for Ordinary Life
We often think of forgiveness in terms of dramatic betrayals. Those matter, and Scripture speaks to them. But much of the Christian life is lived in the small stuff: the coworker who interrupts, the spouse who forgets, the roommate who leaves dishes, the relative who always has an opinion. Paul knew that close relationships produce friction. He does not pretend Christians will never have complaints against one another. He assumes it.
Bearing With One Another
Bearing with someone means putting up with them patiently, absorbing small irritations without making them a federal case. It is the daily choice not to keep score. Proverbs says there is honor in letting an offense go (Proverbs 19:11). Not everything needs a confrontation. Some things simply need grace.
Bearing with one another is not pretending everything is fine. It is choosing to love someone whose quirks and weaknesses we see clearly, the same way others bear with ours.
When Bearing Is Not Enough
Some offenses are too big to overlook. Then Paul says to forgive. Forgiveness does not mean the wrong was acceptable. It means releasing the debt, giving up the right to make the other person pay. Jesus taught Peter to forgive not just seven times but over and over, seventy-seven times (Matthew 18:21–22), and then told a story about a servant forgiven an enormous debt who refused to forgive a small one (Matthew 18:23–35).
Forgiveness is also not the same as trust or reconciliation. You can forgive someone and still need boundaries, especially where there has been abuse or ongoing harm. Reconciliation requires repentance and rebuilt trust. If you are in an unsafe situation, please reach out to a trusted person or local support services for help.
Forgive Because You Are Forgiven
The motivation and measure of our forgiveness is the Lord’s forgiveness of us. Paul says the same in Ephesians 4:32. Every one of us has been forgiven far more than we will ever be asked to forgive. When we remember the cross, our grudges begin to look small. And the Lord does not only command forgiveness; he supplies the grace to give it.
Forgiveness is often a process, not a single moment. You may need to forgive the same hurt many times as the memory returns. Each time, hand it back to God.
A Personal Application: The Grudge You Carry
Think of one person you are holding something against. It might be small, a comment that still stings, or large, a wound from years ago. Write their name and the offense on a piece of paper. Pray honestly about it, telling God how it hurt. Then pray, Lord, as you have forgiven me, I release this debt to you. You may want to tear up the paper as a sign. If reconciliation is wise and safe, consider one step toward it. If the hurt is deep or traumatic, talk with a pastor or counselor who can walk with you.
Today, Try This
Choose one small irritation to overlook today without comment, and pray a blessing over the person instead.
Reflection Question
Is there someone you need to bear with more patiently, or someone you need to forgive?
Prayer
Lord, you have forgiven me so much. Help me bear with the people around me, absorbing small irritations with patience. Where I have been deeply hurt, give me grace to forgive, and wisdom about trust and boundaries. Clothe me with compassion, kindness, humility, and patience, so that my relationships reflect your love. Amen.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Colossians 3:13 mean?
Colossians 3:13 calls believers to patiently put up with one another’s faults and to forgive real offenses, following the example of the Lord’s forgiveness. Our forgiveness of others flows from God’s forgiveness of us.
What is the difference between bearing with and forgiving?
Bearing with someone means patiently enduring everyday irritations and weaknesses without retaliating. Forgiving means releasing a real wrong or debt. Both flow from love, but forgiveness addresses actual offenses that cannot simply be overlooked.
Why should Christians forgive others?
Christians forgive because God has forgiven them in Christ (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32). Forgiveness reflects God’s character, frees us from bitterness, and opens the door to restored relationships where that is safe and wise.
Keep Reading
- Explore more: Bible verses about love
- Read more daily devotionals
- The narrow way: what the narrow gate means (Matthew 7:13-14)
- Related: our devotional: Devotional on Reconciliation
- Related: read: Devotional on Unity
- Related: Devotional for Marriage (devotional)
- Related: Devotional on How Often to Forgive (devotional)
- Related: Devotional on Kindness: Clothe Yourself (Colossians 3:12)
- Bible Verses by Topic