Are we commanded to forgive an unrepentant sinner?

[FNDRB58]

Are we to forgive the unrepentant? The only sin God will not forgive is the sin not confessed. Jesus demonstrated examples of forgiveness and told one that we should forgive our neighbor not 7 times but 7 times 77 times. Is this only if the person is sorry each time or, unlike our Creator, are we to forgive anyone who sins against us regardless of their lack of contrition?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

No, there is no requirement for a human being to forgive someone who is unrepentant. Indeed, if the person disagrees with you that he has even sinned then announcing your forgiveness may prove counter-productive since it is likely to cause annoyance and resentment. All that is required is that you continue to hope for that person’s ultimate salvation.

That said, sometimes those who have been deeply wronged find it personally healing to try to forgive that wrong, even though the person who wronged them may not want their forgiveness. If a person who has been wronged wishes to try to forgive the evil committed against him, that can be meritorious and may make it easier to offer that forgiveness to the wrongdoer should that person ever request it.

Recommended reading:

The Limits of Forgiveness by Jimmy Akin