1-2. In what way is mankind’s situation like that of the young man mentioned in paragraph 1?

IMAGINE a young man who has been brought up in a wealthy family. One day tragedy strikes; his parents are killed in an accident. The news is devastating to him. However, another shock awaits this young man. He learns that his parents squandered the family fortune and that they acquired huge debts. Now imagine that instead of inheriting their wealth, he inherits their debts, and creditors are demanding payment. The debt is far beyond his ability ever to repay.

² In some ways, our situation is like that of this young man. Our original parents, Adam and Eve, were perfect and lived in a beautiful paradise. (Gen. 1:27; 2:7-9) They had the prospect of enjoying a rich, endless life. But then everything changed. They lost their Paradise home as well as their prospect of everlasting life. What inheritance could they pass on to their future children? The Bible tells us: “Through one man [Adam] sin entered into the world and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because they had all sinned.” (Rom. 5:12) The inheritance Adam passed on to us is sin, resulting in death. This inherited sin is like a huge debt, one that none of us can pay off.​—Ps. 49:8.

3. Why can our sins be likened to “debts”?

³ Jesus likened sins to “debts.” (Matt. 6:12; Luke 11:4) When we sin, it is as if we incur a debt to Jehovah. We have to pay the penalty for the sin. Should this debt be left unpaid, it would be canceled only when we die.​—Rom. 6:7, 23.

4. (a) Without help, what would happen to all sinners? (Psalm 49:7-9) (b) To what does the word “sin” refer in the Bible? (See the box “Sin.”)

⁴ Is it possible for us to regain all that Adam and Eve lost? Not on our own merits. (Read Psalm 49:7-9.) Without help, we would have no hope for a future life or a resurrection. In fact, our death would be just like that of animals.​—Eccl. 3:19; 2 Pet. 2:12.

5. How has our loving Father helped us with our inherited debt of sin? (See picture.)

⁵ Thinking back to the young man mentioned at the outset, how would he feel if a wealthy man offered to pay off all his debts? No doubt, the young man would be moved by deep appreciation to accept that generous offer. In a similar way, our loving Father, Jehovah, has given us a gift that pays for the debt of sin that we have inherited from Adam. Jesus explained it this way: “God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) Additionally, this same gift allows us the possibility of establishing a good relationship with Jehovah.

---

6. What Bible terms will we consider in this article, and why?

⁶ How can we benefit from this amazing gift and have our sins, or “debts,” forgiven? The answer to that question is found in the Bible’s use of such terms as reconciliation, atonement, propitiation, ransom, redemption, and being declared righteous. In this article, we will discuss the meaning of each of these concepts. As we meditate on these explanations, our appreciation for the basis of Jehovah’s forgiveness will grow.

THE GOAL: RECONCILIATION

7. (a) What else did Adam and Eve lose? (b) As descendants of Adam and Eve, what do we desperately need? (Romans 5:10, 11)

⁷ In addition to losing the prospect of everlasting life, Adam and Eve lost their precious relationship with their Father, Jehovah. Originally, Adam and Eve were part of God’s family. (Luke 3:38) But when they disobeyed Jehovah, they were expelled from his family before they started to have children. (Gen. 3:23, 24; 4:1) As their descendants, we therefore need to be reconciled to Jehovah. (Read Romans 5:10, 11.) In other words, we need to develop a good relationship with him. According to one reference work, the Greek word used here for “reconcile” can mean to “make a friend out of an enemy.” Amazingly, Jehovah is the one who took the initiative to make this possible. How?

THE ARRANGEMENT: ATONEMENT

8. What is (a) atonement? (b) propitiation?

⁸ Atonement is the arrangement Jehovah put in place for restoring a good relationship between him and sinful humans. It involves exchanging one thing for another of equal value. In this way, something that is lost or destroyed can be regained or replaced. The Christian Greek Scriptures use a related term that is similar in meaning to “atonement,” propitiation. (Rom. 3:25) Propitiation is the act that allows one to be at peace with God and to have a good relationship with him.

9. What temporary arrangement did Jehovah make so that the sins of the Israelites could be forgiven?

⁹ To enable the Israelites to enjoy a good relationship with him, Jehovah instituted a temporary arrangement for the forgiveness of their sins. In Israel, Atonement Day was observed annually. On that day, the high priest would offer animal sacrifices on behalf of the people. Of course, animal sacrifices could not completely atone for anyone’s sins because animals are inferior to humans. But as long as the repentant Israelites offered the sacrifices that Jehovah required, he was willing to forgive their sins. (Heb. 10:1-4) In addition, that arrangement and their regular sin offerings impressed on the minds of the Israelites the seriousness of their sinful state and their great need for a permanent solution.

10. What permanent arrangement did Jehovah make for the forgiveness of sins?

¹⁰ Jehovah had a permanent arrangement in mind for the forgiveness of sins. He arranged for his beloved Son to be “offered once for all time to bear the sins of many.” (Heb. 9:28) Jesus gave “his life as a ransom in exchange for many.” (Matt. 20:28) What is a ransom?

THE PRICE: THE RANSOM

11. (a) According to the Bible, what is a ransom? (b) What would be needed for this ransom to be paid?

¹¹ According to the Bible, a ransom is the price paid to bring about atonement and reconciliation.a From Jehovah’s standpoint, it provides the basis to restore what was lost. In what way? Remember, Adam and Eve lost their perfect life along with the prospect of living forever. So the ransom would need to be a price of equal value to what was lost. (1 Tim. 2:6) It could be paid only by an adult man who (1) was perfect; (2) had the potential of living forever on earth; and (3) was willing to give up, or to sacrifice, that life for us. Only then could the life of that person replace, or atone for, the life that was lost.

12. Why was Jesus able to provide the necessary ransom price?

¹² Consider three reasons why Jesus was able to pay that ransom price. (1) He was perfect​—“he committed no sin.” (1 Pet. 2:22) (2) Because of that, he had the potential of living forever on earth. (3) He was willing to die and give up that life for us. (Heb. 10:9, 10) As a perfect man, Jesus was the equal of the first man, Adam, before he sinned. (1 Cor. 15:45) So by Jesus’ death, he was able to atone for Adam’s sin, that is, to replace what Adam had lost. (Rom. 5:19) Jesus thus became “the last Adam.” There is no need for another perfect person to come and pay for what Adam lost. Jesus died “once for all time.”​—Heb. 7:27; 10:12.

13. What is the difference between the atonement arrangement and the ransom?

¹³ What, then, is the difference between the atonement arrangement and the ransom? The atonement arrangement is the action God takes to restore a good relationship between him and mankind. The ransom is the price paid to make atonement possible for sinful mankind. This price is represented by Jesus’ precious blood poured out in our behalf.​—Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:14.

THE RESULTS: REDEMPTION AND BEING DECLARED RIGHTEOUS

14. What will we now consider, and why?

¹⁴ What are the results of the atonement arrangement? The Bible uses several expressions to highlight the benefits. Although the meanings of these words overlap, each word emphasizes a certain aspect of the atonement arrangement that opens the way for Jehovah’s forgiveness. As we analyze these words, we will also see how they affect us personally.

15-16. (a) In the Bible, to what does the word “redemption” refer? (b) How does this affect us?

¹⁵ In the Bible, redemption refers to the releasing, or acquittal, that results because of the payment of the ransom. The apostle Peter expressed it this way: “You know that it was not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, that you were set free [lit., “you were ransomed; you were redeemed”] from your futile way of life handed down to you by your forefathers. But it was with precious blood, like that of an unblemished and spotless lamb, that of Christ.”​—1 Pet. 1:18, 19; ftn.

¹⁶ Because of the ransom sacrifice, we can be set free from the oppressive rule of sin and death. (Rom. 5:21) Certainly, we have good reason to feel deeply indebted to Jehovah and Jesus for the redemption that comes from the precious blood, or life, of Jesus.​—1 Cor. 15:22.

17-18. (a) What does being declared righteous mean? (b) How does this affect us?

¹⁷ Being declared righteous means that the charges against us have been dropped and that our record has been expunged, or wiped clean. By doing this, Jehovah does not violate his own standards of justice. He does not declare us righteous on our own merit; nor does he condone our sins. But because of our faith in the atonement arrangement and the ransom price that was paid, Jehovah has a basis for canceling our debts.​—Rom. 3:24; Gal. 2:16.

¹⁸ What does this mean for each of us? Those who have been selected to rule with Jesus in heaven have already been declared righteous as children of God. (Titus 3:7; 1 John 3:1) Their sins have been forgiven. They no longer have, as it were, a criminal record, and thus they qualify to be in the Kingdom. (Rom. 8:1, 2, 30) Those who have an earthly hope have been declared righteous as friends of God, and their sins are forgiven. (Jas. 2:21-23) The great crowd, who will survive Armageddon, have the prospect of never dying at all. (John 11:26) “The righteous” and “the unrighteous” who are sleeping in death are in line to be resurrected. (Acts 24:15; John 5:28, 29) Eventually, all obedient servants of Jehovah on earth will “have the glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Rom. 8:21) What an amazing blessing comes from the atonement arrangement​—total reconciliation with our Father, Jehovah!

19. How has our situation changed for the better? (See also the box “What It Means for Us.”)

¹⁹ Truly, our situation was once like that of the young man mentioned earlier who lost everything and inherited a huge debt he could never repay. But thanks to Jehovah, we have help. Our situation has changed because of the atonement arrangement and the payment of the ransom. Our faith in Jesus Christ allows us to be redeemed, or set free, from sin and death. Our sins can also be canceled, and our criminal record, erased. Most important of all, though, we can now have a good relationship with our loving heavenly Father, Jehovah.

20. What will we discuss in the next article?

²⁰ As we meditate on what Jehovah and Jesus have done for us, our heart is filled with appreciation. (2 Cor. 5:15) Without their help, we would have no hope at all! But what does Jehovah’s forgiveness really mean for us individually? That is what we will discuss in the next article.

1. Why is the forgiveness humans extend often complicated?

“I FORGIVE YOU.” How refreshing those words can be, especially if you know that you said or did something that hurt someone! But what does the phrase “I forgive you” really mean? Is the person you hurt saying that your friendship has been fully restored? Or does he simply mean that he does not want to talk about the issue anymore? The forgiveness humans extend can be complicated.

2. How has Jehovah’s forgiveness been described in the Scriptures? (See also footnote.)

² The way Jehovah forgives us imperfect humans is very different from the way we forgive one another. The forgiveness Jehovah extends is unique. The psalmist said of Jehovah: “With you there is true forgiveness, so that you may be held in awe.”a (Ps. 130:4) Yes, Jehovah’s forgiveness is “true forgiveness.” He sets the ultimate standard of what forgiveness really means. In some cases, Bible writers used a Hebrew word for forgiveness that is never used to describe human forgiveness.

3. How is Jehovah’s forgiveness different from ours? (Isaiah 55:6, 7)

³ When Jehovah forgives someone, that person’s sin is wiped out. The damaged relationship is entirely restored. Jehovah’s forgiveness is amazingly complete and generous.​—Read Isaiah 55:6, 7.

4. How does Jehovah help us to understand the true meaning of forgiveness?

⁴ If Jehovah’s forgiveness differs from ours, how can we as imperfect humans possibly understand its true meaning? Jehovah helps us by using vivid word pictures to describe his forgiveness. In this article, we will examine some of them. They will show us how Jehovah removes sin and, at the same time, restores the relationship that has been damaged by sin. As we review these illustrations, we will deepen our appreciation for our tender Father, who expresses his forgiveness in so many ways.

JEHOVAH REMOVES SIN

5. What happens when Jehovah pardons our sins?

⁵ In the Bible, sins are often likened to heavy burdens. King David described his own sins this way: “My errors loom over my head; like a heavy burden, they are too much for me to bear.” (Ps. 38:4) But Jehovah pardons the sins of repentant wrongdoers. (Ps. 25:18; 32:5) The Hebrew expression translated “pardon” basically means to “lift up” or “carry.” We might think of Jehovah as a strong man who figuratively lifts the burden of sin off our shoulders and carries it away.

---

6. How far off does Jehovah carry our sins?

⁶ Another word picture shows just how far away Jehovah carries our sins. Psalm 103:12 tells us: “As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions.” East is the farthest point from west. The two points never meet. In other words, Jehovah takes our sins as far away from us as we can imagine. What a reassuring way to describe his forgiveness!

---

7. How does the Bible describe what Jehovah does with our sins? (Micah 7:18, 19)

⁷ Even though Jehovah figuratively takes our sins far away from us, does he keep holding on to them? No. King Hezekiah wrote of Jehovah: “You have thrown all my sins behind your back.” Or as the footnote puts it, “you have removed all my sins from your sight.” (Isa. 38:9, 17; ftn.) This word picture shows that Jehovah takes the sins of repentant ones and throws them out of view. This statement could also be rendered: “You have made [my sins] as if they had not happened.” The Bible further emphasizes this point in another word picture, recorded at Micah 7:18, 19. (Read.) There Jehovah is spoken of as throwing our sins into the depths of the sea. In ancient times, it would have been impossible for someone to retrieve an object that had been hurled into the depths of the sea.

---

8. What have we learned so far?

⁸ By means of these word pictures, we have learned that when Jehovah forgives us, he relieves us of the burden of our sins. Truly, as David said, “happy are those whose lawless deeds have been pardoned and whose sins have been covered; happy is the man whose sin Jehovah will by no means take into account.” (Rom. 4:7, 8) That is true forgiveness!

JEHOVAH WIPES OUT SIN

9. What word pictures does Jehovah use to explain the extent of his forgiveness?

⁹ Jehovah uses other word pictures to help us appreciate how by means of the ransom sacrifice, he wipes out the sins of repentant ones. Figuratively, Jehovah is spoken of as washing and rinsing away these sins. This results in purifying the sinner. (Ps. 51:7; Isa. 4:4; Jer. 33:8) Jehovah himself describes the results of this process: “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be made as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson cloth, they will become like wool.” (Isa. 1:18) It is extremely difficult to remove scarlet or crimson stains from a cloth. Yet, by means of this word picture, Jehovah assures us that our sins can be washed clean so thoroughly that they are no longer visible.

---

10. What other word picture does Jehovah use to illustrate the magnitude of his forgiveness?

¹⁰ As mentioned in the preceding article, sins are also likened to “debts.” (Matt. 6:12; Luke 11:4) So every time we sin against Jehovah, it is as if we are going further and further into debt. We owe him a huge amount! But when Jehovah forgives us, it is as if he cancels the debt that would otherwise be charged against our account. He does not demand repayment of sins that have been forgiven. What a refreshing illustration to describe the relief we feel when Jehovah forgives us!

---

11. What does it mean when the Bible says that our sins are “blotted out”? (Acts 3:19)

¹¹ Jehovah does not simply cancel our debts, or sins; he blots them out. (Read Acts 3:19.) When a debt is canceled, we might imagine a large X being drawn across the account. However, the numbers beneath that X may still be legible. But to blot something out is different. To understand this word picture, we need to remember that in ancient times the ink used was a mixture that included carbon, gum, and water. A person could take a wet sponge and wipe the writing away. So when a debt was “blotted out,” it vanished completely. Traces of what was written before were not visible to the naked eye. The record became nonexistent. How it warms our heart to know that Jehovah not only cancels our sins but also blots them out completely!​—Ps. 51:9.

---

12. What does the word picture involving a thick cloud mean for us?

¹² Jehovah uses a similar word picture to describe how he blots out sins. He declares: “I will blot out your transgressions as with a cloud and your sins as with a thick cloud.” (Isa. 44:22) When Jehovah forgives, it is as if he were using a thick cloud to hide our transgressions so that they disappear from sight altogether.

---

13. When Jehovah forgives our sins, how do we feel?

¹³ What does this mean for us? When Jehovah forgives our sins, we should not feel that we will bear the stain of such sins for the rest of our life. By means of the blood of Jesus Christ, our debts are completely canceled. Even the record of those debts is no longer discernible. This is what the true forgiveness that comes from Jehovah means for us when we repent of our sins.

JEHOVAH RESTORES A GOOD RELATIONSHIP

---

14. Why can we trust Jehovah’s forgiveness? (See also pictures.)

¹⁴ The true forgiveness that comes from Jehovah allows us to have a good relationship with him. It helps us to avoid being overcome by feelings of guilt. We do not need to be afraid that Jehovah is secretly harboring resentment and is looking for a way to punish us. There is no threat of that happening. Why can we trust Jehovah when he says that he forgives us? The prophet Jeremiah quotes Jehovah as saying: “I will forgive their error, and I will no longer remember their sin.” (Jer. 31:34) When referring to these words, the apostle Paul used a similar expression, saying: “I will no longer call their sins to mind.” (Heb. 8:12) But what does that really mean?

---

15. In what sense does Jehovah no longer remember our sins?

¹⁵ In the Bible, the expression “remember” does not always refer to someone recalling something or thinking about it. Rather, it can involve someone taking action. The criminal hanging on the stake next to Jesus requested: “Jesus, remember me when you get into your Kingdom.” (Luke 23:42, 43) He was not simply asking Jesus to think about him at that time. Jesus’ response indicated that he would take action to resurrect this criminal. So, then, when Jehovah says that he no longer remembers our sins, he means that he will not take action against us. He will not punish us sometime in the future for sins that he has forgiven.

16. How does the Bible describe the freedom that comes from true forgiveness?

¹⁶ The Bible uses another word picture to help us understand the freedom that comes from true forgiveness. Because of our sinful nature and inclination, we are likened to “slaves of sin.” But thanks to Jehovah’s forgiveness, we are like slaves who have been “set free from sin.” (Rom. 6:17, 18; Rev. 1:5) Yes, Jehovah’s forgiveness gives us the exhilarating feeling of being set free from slavery.

---

17. How does forgiveness result in healing? (Isaiah 53:5)

¹⁷ Read Isaiah 53:5. The final word picture we will discuss likens us to people who have a deadly disease. Because of the ransom sacrifice that Jehovah provided through his Son, we are figuratively spoken of as being healed. (1 Pet. 2:24) The ransom makes possible the full repair of our relationship with Jehovah, which has been damaged by spiritual sickness. Just as a person who has been healed of a serious illness feels intense joy, we too rejoice when we are healed spiritually and regain Jehovah’s favor as a result of his forgiveness.

---

WHAT JEHOVAH’S FORGIVENESS MEANS FOR US

18. What have we learned by examining the various word pictures found in the Bible regarding Jehovah’s forgiveness? (See also the box “How Jehovah Forgives Us.”)

¹⁸ What have we learned by examining the word pictures found in the Bible regarding Jehovah’s forgiveness? When he forgives, he does so completely and permanently. This allows us to have a good relationship with our heavenly Father. At the same time, we remember that true forgiveness is a gift. It comes from Jehovah’s love and undeserved kindness, which he expresses to sinful mankind. It is not a right that humans can demand.​—Rom. 3:24.

19. (a) For what should we be grateful? (Romans 4:8) (b) What will we discuss in the next article?

¹⁹ Read Romans 4:8. How grateful each one of us should be that Jehovah is the God of “true forgiveness”! (Ps. 130:4) However, our being forgiven is dependent on something important. Jesus explained: “If you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matt. 6:14, 15) Obviously, then, it is vital for us to imitate Jehovah’s forgiveness. But how can we do that? Our next article will show us what this involves.