Remission, Remit - Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Remission, Remit
[ A-1,Noun,G859, aphesis ]a dismissal, release" (from aphiemi, B), is used of the forgiveness of sins and translated "remission" in Matthew 26:28; Mark 1:4; Luke 1:77; Luke 3:3; Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; Acts 5:31 (AV, "forgiveness"); Acts 10:43; Acts 13:38, RV (AV, "forgiveness"); Acts 26:18 (ditto); Hebrews 9:22; Hebrews 10:18. See FORGIVE, B, and A, No. 1.
[ A-2,Noun,G3929, paresis ]
"a passing by of debt or sin," Romans 3:25, AV, "remission" (RV and AV marg., "passing over"). See PASSING OVER.
Note: No. 2 is a matter of forbearance, No. 1 a matter of grace.
[ B-1,Verb,G863, aphiemi ]
"to send away" (akin to A, No. 1), is translated "to remit" in John 20:23 (twice), AV (RV, "to forgive"). Scripture makes clear that the Lord's words could not have been intended to bestow the exercise of absolution, which Scripture declares is the prerogative of God alone. There is no instance in the NT of this act on the part of the Apostles. The words are to be understood in a "declarative" sense; the statement has regard to the effects of their ministry of the gospel, with its twofold effects of "remisson" or retention. They could not, nor could anyone subsequently, forgive sins, any more than that Joseph actually restored the butler to his office and hanged the baker (Genesis 41:13), or any more than that the prophets actually accomplished things when they declared that they were about to be done (Jeremiah 1:10; Ezekiel 43:3). See FORGIVE, No. 1.