# Is “To err is human, to forgive divine” in the Bible?

> No. “To err is human, to forgive divine” is not in the Bible.

Source: https://www.lumin.faith/is-it-in-the-bible/to-err-is-human-to-forgive-divine
By Andrew Kittridge · October 28, 2026

It is Pope, not Scripture. The Bible asks people to forgive each other just as God forgave them in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).

Not in the Bible. Origin: Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism (1711).

## What the Bible says instead

> Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving each other just as God also forgave you in Christ.
>
> — [Ephesians 4:32](https://www.lumin.faith/read/ephesians/4#32) (Lumin Translation)

> Put up with one another, and when anyone has a grievance against someone else, forgive each other. The Lord has forgiven you, so you are to forgive in the same way.
>
> — [Colossians 3:13](https://www.lumin.faith/read/colossians/3#13) (Lumin Translation)

## Common questions

### Is “To err is human, to forgive divine” in the Bible?

No. “To err is human, to forgive divine” is not in the Bible. It is Pope, not Scripture. The Bible asks people to forgive each other just as God forgave them in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).

### Where does “To err is human, to forgive divine” come from?

Alexander Pope, An Essay on Criticism (1711).

### What does the Bible say instead?

Read Ephesians 4:32, Colossians 3:13. It is Pope, not Scripture. The Bible asks people to forgive each other just as God forgave them in Christ (Ephesians 4:32).

## More

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