--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If forgiveness does take place it will be…" description: "\"“If forgiveness does take place it will be but an echo of the forgiveness granted by the just and loving God-- the only forgiveness that ultimately mat..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg" --- # If forgiveness does take place it will be but an echo of… ![“If forgiveness does take place it will be but an echo of the forgiveness granted by the just and loving God-- the only forgiveness that ultimately matters, because, though we must forgive, in a very real sense no one can either forgive or retain sins 'but God alone.” quote by Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg) > ““If forgiveness does take place it will be but an echo of the forgiveness granted by the just and loving God-- the only forgiveness that ultimately matters, because, though we must forgive, in a very real sense no one can either forgive or retain sins 'but God alone.”” [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Forgiveness is ultimately a divine act; human forgiveness mirrors God's ultimate pardon, which alone resolves sin. **In simple terms:** Human forgiveness reflects God's ultimate pardon. Key Takeaway Divine forgiveness is the final authority on sin. Themes theology ethics spirituality humility grace Mood reflective reverent hopeful Type aphorism spiritual insight When to use this quote - personal conflict resolution - interpersonal betrayal - community reconciliation - family disputes Key Concepts sin forgiveness divine justice human limitation Practical Applications - pastoral counseling - ethical decision-making Questions to Reflect On - How does recognizing divine forgiveness affect personal grudges? - What responsibilities arise when human forgiveness is seen as secondary? ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Forgiveness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ## Related quotes > [I still love you. I will always love you, and that is all that matters. I will forgive you anything, and I will forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melissa-de-la-cruz/i-still-love-you-i-will-always-love-you-and-that-is-all-that-matters/) [Melissa de la Cruz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melissa-de-la-cruz/) > [“We’ll manipulate forgiveness, because ultimately it is ours to give to whomever we desire, under whatever conditions we choose, to achieve whatever ends serve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chad-bird/we-ll-manipulate-forgiveness-because-ultimately-it-is-ours-to-give-to/) [Chad Bird](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chad-bird/) > [Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does make the future pleasant.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-does-not-change-the-past-but-it-does-make-the-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forgiveness does not overlook the deed. It rises above it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pumla-gobodo-madikizela/forgiveness-does-not-overlook-the-deed-it-rises-above-it/) [Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pumla-gobodo-madikizela/) > [Forgiveness does not mean that we suppress anger; forgiveness means that we have asked for a miracle: the ability to see through mistakes that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marianne-williamson/forgiveness-does-not-mean-that-we-suppress-anger-forgiveness-means/) [Marianne Williamson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marianne-williamson/) > [Forgiveness does not mean ignoring what has been done or putting a false label on an evil act. It means, rather, that the evil…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martin-luther-king-jr/forgiveness-does-not-mean-ignoring-what-has-been-done-or-putting-a/) [Martin Luther King, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martin-luther-king-jr/) > [It is far pleasanter to injure and afterwards beg forgiveness than to be injured and grant forgiveness. He who does the former gives evidence…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/friedrich-nietzsche/it-is-far-pleasanter-to-injure-and-afterwards-beg-forgiveness-than-to/) [Friedrich Nietzsche](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/friedrich-nietzsche/) > [Forgiveness does not come easily to us, especially when someone we have trusted betrays our trust. And yet if we do not learn to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/billy-graham/forgiveness-does-not-come-easily-to-us-especially-when-someone-we/) [Billy Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/billy-graham/) > [“They deserve forgiveness. Everyone does.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dana-reinhardt/they-deserve-forgiveness-everyone-does/) [Dana Reinhardt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dana-reinhardt/) > [“Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future. — PAUL BOESE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-does-not-change-the-past-but-it-does-enlarge-the-future-2/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forgiveness does not require us to close our eyes but rather to truly open them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-paul-evans/forgiveness-does-not-require-us-to-close-our-eyes-but-rather-to-truly/) [Richard Paul Evans](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-paul-evans/) > [“Forgiveness is not about forgetting. It is about letting go of another person's throat…Forgiveness does not create a relationship.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-paul-young/forgiveness-is-not-about-forgetting-it-is-about-letting-go-of-another-2/) [William Paul Young](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-paul-young/) > [Forgiveness sets the prisoner free. And realizing that prisoner was you. That's what forgiveness does. It sets you free.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victoria-osteen/forgiveness-sets-the-prisoner-free-and-realizing-that-prisoner-was/) [Victoria Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victoria-osteen/) > [Forgiveness does not change the past, but it does enlarge the future.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/forgiveness-does-not-change-the-past-but-it-does-enlarge-the-future/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Forgiveness does not mean that we have to continue to relate to those who have done us harm. In some cases the best practice…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/forgiveness-does-not-mean-that-we-have-to-continue-to-relate-to-those/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) ## More by Miroslav Volf > [Christians believe that there will be a Judgment Day at the end. And it is my belief that on that day justice will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/christians-believe-that-there-will-be-a-judgment-day-at-the-end-and/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [Honoring everyone contains the promise of possibility.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/honoring-everyone-contains-the-promise-of-possibility/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [If I say, 'I forgive you,' I have implicitly said you have done something wrong to me. But what forgiveness is at its heart…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-i-say-i-forgive-you-i-have-implicitly-said-you-have-done-something/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [Every word and every deed, every thought and every gesture, even the simple act of paying attention can be a gift and therefore an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/every-word-and-every-deed-every-thought-and-every-gesture-even-the/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [“...first we should not seek to derive the content of gender identity by mirroring God, because any femininity or masculinity we may find in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/first-we-should-not-seek-to-derive-the-content-of-gender-identity-by/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [After my engagement with Muslim friends, I pray more than I used to pray. My prayer life has been enriched by my encounter with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/after-my-engagement-with-muslim-friends-i-pray-more-than-i-used-to/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [The difference between justice and forgiveness: To be just is to condemn the fault and, because of the fault, to condemn the doer as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/the-difference-between-justice-and-forgiveness-to-be-just-is-to/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [For many Americans, Osama bin Laden is the paradigmatic Muslim, an absurd conviction for anyone who has lived with Muslims.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/for-many-americans-osama-bin-laden-is-the-paradigmatic-muslim-an/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [The goal of pursuit of justice must not simply be that justice happens but that reconciliation also happens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/the-goal-of-pursuit-of-justice-must-not-simply-be-that-justice/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [If we can exit a relationship, pressure to reconcile lessens; if we must live with those who have wronged us, we are pushed to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-we-can-exit-a-relationship-pressure-to-reconcile-lessens-if-we/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [For Christians, faith is a precious good, the most valuable personal and social resource. When it is left untapped, the common good suffers -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/for-christians-faith-is-a-precious-good-the-most-valuable-personal/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [Forgiveness flounders because I exclude the enemy from the community of humans and myself from the community of sinners.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/forgiveness-flounders-because-i-exclude-the-enemy-from-the-community/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [God is the utterly loving giver. God doesn't just love. God is love.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/god-is-the-utterly-loving-giver-god-doesn-t-just-love-god-is-love/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [“When people are kept in abject poverty and illiteracy while others grow rich and “develop their personalities” at the former’s expense we speak of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/when-people-are-kept-in-abject-poverty-and-illiteracy-while-others/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) > [We lead our lives well when we love God with our whole being and when we love neighbors as we (properly) love ourselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/we-lead-our-lives-well-when-we-love-god-with-our-whole-being-and-when/) [Miroslav Volf](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) [Explore all 59 Miroslav Volf quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/) ## More Forgiveness quotes > [“Lord I come before you, I repent all my sins; forgive me. I repent on behalf of my children forgive them Lord. Help them…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/euginia-herlihy/lord-i-come-before-you-i-repent-all-my-sins-forgive-me-i-repent-on/) [Euginia Herlihy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/euginia-herlihy/) > [Forgiveness is not saying, What you did to me is okay. It is saying, Im not going to let what you did to me…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate/forgiveness-is-not-saying-what-you-did-to-me-is-okay-it-is-saying-im/) [Nate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate/) > [“So in practicing blanket forgiveness you first assume that in any current condition of pain or discomfort there is some anger involved, even if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/serge-kahili-king/so-in-practicing-blanket-forgiveness-you-first-assume-that-in-any/) Serge Kahili King > [Do what is given to you, and do it well, and you will have done enough...live together in the forgiveness of your sins. Forgive…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/do-what-is-given-to-you-and-do-it-well-and-you-will-have-done-enough/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The public, more often than not, will forgive mistakes, but it will not forgive trying to wiggle out of one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lewis-grizzard/the-public-more-often-than-not-will-forgive-mistakes-but-it-will-not/) [Lewis Grizzard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lewis-grizzard/) > [A Real Boyfriend does the sweetest things randomly because he never wants her to feel unappreciated.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/enhance-dreams/a-real-boyfriend-does-the-sweetest-things-randomly-because-he-never/) Enhance Dreams > [“(Evil people) do not believe in forgiveness. Their transgressions are either punished or not punished. That is the only result that matters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-mchugh/evil-people-do-not-believe-in-forgiveness-their-transgressions-are/) [Daniel McHugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-mchugh/) > [Friendship means understanding, not argument. it means forgiveness, not forgetting. it means the memories last, even if contact is lost.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sokhom/friendship-means-understanding-not-argument-it-means-forgiveness-not/) [Sokhom](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sokhom/) > [Grace is the wonderful spirit that imbues every fiber of our being when we practice the fruits of the spirit: kindness, patience, understanding, forgiveness,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-cayce/grace-is-the-wonderful-spirit-that-imbues-every-fiber-of-our-being/) [Edgar Cayce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-cayce/) > [One of the most basic principles for making and keeping peace within and between nations. . . is that in political, military, moral, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-carter/one-of-the-most-basic-principles-for-making-and-keeping-peace-within/) [Jimmy Carter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-carter/) > [“Have an open mind and heart. Learn to journey in understanding and forgiveness. It's not always going to be easy but it will be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexandra-elle/have-an-open-mind-and-heart-learn-to-journey-in-understanding-and/) [Alexandra Elle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexandra-elle/) > [Forgive us our trespasses," says Margarethe, "and get out of our way.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gregory-maguire/forgive-us-our-trespasses-says-margarethe-and-get-out-of-our-way/) [Gregory Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gregory-maguire/) > [“ving self and others is an every second of every day of every week, of every month, of every year gift that should not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sanjo-jendayi/ving-self-and-others-is-an-every-second-of-every-day-of-every-week-of/) [Sanjo Jendayi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sanjo-jendayi/) > [Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-godin/forgive-yourself-for-not-being-the-richest-the-thinnest-the-tallest/) [Seth Godin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-godin/) > [If you can't forgive and forget, pick only one.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-brault/if-you-can-t-forgive-and-forget-pick-only-one/) [Robert Brault](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-brault/) [Browse all 8,311 Forgiveness quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/forgiveness/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“If forgiveness does take place it will be but an echo of the forgiveness granted by the just and loving God-- the only forgiveness that ultimately matters, because, though we must forgive, in a very real sense no one can either forgive or retain sins 'but God alone.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Miroslav Volf" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-be-but-an-echo-of-the/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Forgiveness" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-be-but-an-echo-of-the/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0bf/miroslav-volf-11496_forgiveness_if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-b_31535.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“If forgiveness does take place it will be but an echo of the forgiveness granted by the just and loving…” — Miroslav Volf", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Miroslav Volf", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/miroslav-volf/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "“If forgiveness does take place it...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-be-but-an-echo-of-the/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/miroslav-volf/if-forgiveness-does-take-place-it-will-be-but-an-echo-of-the/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```