Remission of Sins
In biblical theology, remission describes the cancellation of sin's penalty and the release of the sinner from guilt.
Meaning and Usage
Remission comes from a Latin root meaning "to send back" or "to release." In Scripture, it carries the rich meaning of divine forgiveness: God sending away the guilt and punishment that sin deserves. Where modern English Bibles often use "forgiveness," older translations preserve "remission" to emphasize that sins are not merely overlooked but fully discharged.
Biblical Foundation
The New Testament links remission directly to the atoning work of Christ. At the Last Supper, Jesus spoke of His blood as being "shed for many for the remission of sins" (Mt 26:28). The apostle Paul later explains that this redemption comes through God's grace, received by faith, and is grounded in the sacrifice that satisfied divine justice (Rom 3:24-25; Eph 2:8-9). Remission is therefore not earned by human effort; it is granted on the basis of Christ's death and resurrection.
Theological Significance
To receive remission is to be reconciled to God. It involves more than a clean record; it restores the believer to fellowship with the Holy One. Because the debt has been cancelled, those who trust in Christ are no longer defined by their past failures. Instead, they are free to live in gratitude, holiness, and hope. Remission thus stands at the center of the gospel message: guilty sinners are declared forgiven through the merits of another and cannot be demanded again.
Reflection and Application:
- Recognize that remission is a gift of grace, not a reward for good behavior.
- Confess specific sins and receive the forgiveness already secured in Christ.
- Extend the same spirit of release to others who have wronged you.
- Live in the freedom that comes from a debt you could never pay being fully cancelled.
See also: forgive/forgiveness, justification, pardon.