Frankly
Understanding "Frankly" in Biblical Context
The word "frankly" appears only once in the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, in Luke 7:42: "And when they had nothing to pay, he frankly forgave them both." This English term translates the Greek verb charizomai (χαρίζομαι), which carries the core meaning of "to give freely," "to grant as a favor," "to forgive graciously," or "to show kindness." Modern translations like the ESV, NIV, and CSB typically render this verse as "he forgave them both" or "he canceled the debt for both," capturing the essence of the action but losing the specific nuance of "frankly"—meaning "freely," "readily," or "without hesitation."
The Parable of the Two Debtors (Luke 7:36-50)
The sole biblical occurrence of "frankly" is embedded in one of Jesus's most poignant parables about forgiveness. In Luke 7, Jesus is dining at the house of a Pharisee named Simon when a woman known as a sinner enters, anoints Jesus's feet with perfume and her tears, and wipes them with her hair. Simon is scandalized, believing Jesus should not allow such a person to touch him. In response, Jesus tells the parable of two debtors: one who owed 500 denarii and another who owed 50. The moneylender "frankly forgave" (charizomai) both when they could not repay. Jesus then asks Simon which debtor would love the moneylender more. Simon correctly answers, "The one who had the bigger debt canceled." Jesus applies this directly to the situation: the woman's extravagant love demonstrates she has been forgiven much, while Simon's lack of hospitality suggests a lesser sense of having been forgiven (Luke 7:47). The parable illustrates that God's forgiveness is granted freely (charizomai) and that the appropriate human response is profound love and gratitude.
The Meaning of Charizomai in the New Testament
While translated as "frankly forgave" only in Luke 7:42 (KJV), the Greek word charizomai appears 23 times in the New Testament, primarily in the writings of Luke and Paul. Its usage consistently conveys the idea of giving or forgiving as an act of grace and favor, not obligation. For example, the Philippian jailer asks Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They respond, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:30-31). The text then states the apostles "spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house" (Acts 16:32). The underlying concept aligns with charizomai: salvation is presented as a gracious gift. In Paul's letters, the term is used for God's gracious granting of spiritual gifts (Romans 8:32, 1 Corinthians 2:12) and for the call for believers to forgive one another graciously as they have been forgiven by Christ (Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:32).
Theological Significance of "Frankly" Forgiveness
The action described as "frankly forgiving" is a powerful metaphor for God's grace. It highlights several key theological truths:
1. The Initiative of Grace: The moneylender forgives the debtors when they had nothing to pay (Luke 7:42). This mirrors the biblical truth that God's forgiveness is initiated by Him while humanity is spiritually bankrupt and unable to save itself (Romans 5:8). 2. The Completeness of Forgiveness: The forgiveness is total—the debt is canceled, not merely reduced or postponed. This reflects the complete atonement achieved through Christ's sacrifice (Colossians 2:13-14). 3. The Motivation for Love: The parable directly links being "frankly forgiven" with the outpouring of love. True understanding of the magnitude of God's gracious forgiveness produces a transformative response of love, worship, and obedience, as seen in the woman's actions.
From Ancient Word to Modern Application
The concept behind "frankly forgave" remains a cornerstone of Christian faith. It moves forgiveness from a transactional or reluctant act to a reflection of God's own character. For modern readers, the term challenges any notion of earning God's favor. Just as the debtors could not repay, humans cannot earn salvation; it is a gift granted freely (charizomai) through faith in Christ (Ephesians 2:8-9). Furthermore, it sets the standard for interpersonal relationships: believers are called to forgive others "frankly"—freely, graciously, and completely—as a reflection of the grace they have themselves received (Matthew 18:21-35).
Biblical Context
The term "frankly" appears only in Luke 7:42 (KJV) within the Parable of the Two Debtors. The underlying Greek word charizomai, however, is used throughout the New Testament. It is frequent in Luke-Acts (e.g., Luke 7:21, 42, 43; Acts 3:14, 25:11, 16, 27:24) and in Paul's epistles (e.g., Romans 8:32; 1 Corinthians 2:12; Galatians 3:18; Philippians 1:29, 2:9; Philemon 1:22). It plays a crucial role in narratives and teachings about forgiveness, grace, and the gracious granting of gifts or salvation.
Theological Significance
The concept of "frankly" forgiving captures the essence of divine grace—forgiveness granted freely, not earned or merited. It teaches that God's forgiveness is initiated out of His gracious character, is complete in canceling sin's debt, and is meant to elicit a response of profound love and gratitude. This stands against any theology of works-righteousness and establishes the model for how believers are to forgive others, grounding human ethics in divine action.
Historical Background
The Greek word charizomai derives from charis, meaning "grace" or "favor." In the Greco-Roman world, the term was used in contexts of granting pardons, bestowing gifts, or showing kindness, often from a superior to an inferior. Culturally, debt forgiveness, while rare, was understood as an extraordinary act of mercy. Jesus uses this familiar social concept (a moneylender and debtors) to illustrate the unfamiliar, radical nature of God's kingdom, where grace supersedes strict accounting. Extra-biblical sources from the period confirm that debt cancellation was a powerful image of liberation and unmerited favor.