Morrish Bible Dictionary · 10. FORGIVENESS. REMISSION.

ἄφεσις (from ἀφίημι, to 'let go,' hence 'to let go free from a charge') was to be characteristic of John the Baptist's testimony, "to give knowledge of salvation to his people by the remission of their sins." Luke 1:77. Hence we find him preaching "the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins." Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3. To let go free of charge by God is necessarily in righteousness, hence we read in Heb. 9:22 that "without shedding of blood" there could be "no remission." We also find that the cup at the institution of the Lord's Supper (Matt. 26:28) was the symbol of "the blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." ἄφεσις is identified with redemption in two passages. Eph. 1:7; and Col. 1:14. In Luke 24:47, the ground having been laid in Christ's death, the testimony of it is sent forth by the risen Christ: "repentance and remission of sins" was henceforth to be "preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." Hence in Acts 2:38, to those who were reached in conscience by the testimony of Peter, remission of sins was presented as the first characteristic blessing which became theirs, by taking upon them Christ's name. For "Him hath God exalted by his right hand," he further witnesses in Acts 5:31 "to be a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins:" in Acts 10:43, opening the door of the kingdom still wider, to the Gentile audience gathered with Cornelius, he is able to bring forward the testimony of all the prophets "that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." From Acts 26:18 we know it was part of Paul's commission, even as he first preached it in the Gentile city of Antioch, Acts 13:38-39. One more passage, Heb. 10:18, identifies it with the remembrance of sins no more, now enjoyed by the Christian, and to be made good to Israel under the New Covenant, Heb. 10:16-17. It is ἄφεσις in all these passages, which are all its occurrences save Luke 4:18, where it occurs twice as 'deliverance' and 'liberty,' and Mark 3:29, where it is 'forgiveness.'