Is the phrase “God forbid” irreverent?

Answer:

"Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You'" (Matthew 16:22 NASB).

This translator chose "God forbid" for a Greek phrase that literally means "not not shall be."

"But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14 NKJV).

"God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged" (Romans 3:4 KJV).

"God forbid: for then how shall God judge the world?" (Romans 3:6 KJV).

This translator chose "God forbid" for a Greek phrase that literally means "not may it be" in Romans 3:4,6,31, etc. (a total of 14 times). The New King James only uses "God forbid" in Galatians 6:14 for the same phrase.

"God forbid" is an English idiom expressing a strong feeling that something should never happen.  Since the word for God doesn't actually appear in the text, most translators choose to use a slightly less intense phrase, such as "may it never be!" or "certainly not!" While they convey less emotion, they are believed to be better choices in today's English. However, there is nothing wrong with the phrase "God forbid."