Theology Terms Explained: “Repentance”
In this series on the blog, we’re providing sound doctrine for everyday people by providing you with clear and simple definitions that will strengthen your theological foundation. Each article covers 4 categories including:
The Term – We lay out how it’s pronounced.
The Definition – We provide the Merriam-Webster definition and an everyday version.
The Biblical Connection – We show you where the term connects with Scripture.
Used in an Everyday Conversation – We use it in a basic conversation.
The Term
“Repentance”
re·pent | ri-ˈpent
The Definition
Merriam Webster: To feel or show that you are sorry for something bad or wrong that you did and that you want to do what is right. To turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life. To change one’s mind.
FTG’s Expanded Explanation: The Greek word for “repent” is metanoia and it means “a change of mind.” Repentance is not just regret for being caught in sin or having to suffer consequences from your own sin, repentance is a change of mind about your decisions and the sin those decisions led to. Remorse is different than repentance because remorse is more about your feelings of guilt, but it does not necessarily mean you’ve changed your mind about your lifestyle, decisions, or sin. For example, someone may feel remorse after being caught in adultery because of the consequences of their actions, but they make excuses to attempt to justify their behavior. Remorse causes people to feel bad about how others will view them. Remorse leads to distress because they ruined their marriage and disappointed their children, but remorse does not lead to a change of mind. Many times, people who are remorseful go back to their sinful behavior once the emotions and turmoil of getting caught die down. Repentance is a total change of mind whether you are caught in your sin or not. Repentance is a piercing feeling in your heart that you have sinned against God and you no longer want to. Repentance is not merely the fear of being caught in sin, it is a hatred of your sin accompanied by a change of mind. The repentant person sees their sin in a new light, and is resolved to fight it, hate it, and embrace the grace of God. The repentant person doesn’t care about just pleasing people, but rather, wants to please Jesus Christ.
The Biblical Connection
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10): One of the most powerful examples of repentance in the New Testament is when Jesus visits with a tax collector named, Zacchaeus. In those days, tax collectors were greedy cheaters. Everybody hated tax collectors because they essentially stole from hard-working people, and the poor. Zacchaeus had made himself wealthy by stealing from others and taking advantage of them. He was a corrupt sinner who deserved jail time and eventually hell. When Jesus passed by and eventually went to his house, Zacchaeus exhibited genuine repentance, giving away possessions to the poor, paying back those he had cheated, and even paying people more than he owed them (Luke 19:8).
The Corinthian Church (2 Corinthians 7:1-16): Paul had strongly rebuked the Corinthian Church in his first letter to them, correcting many aspects of their church life and sinful behaviors. That was the purpose behind 1 Corinthians. 2 Corinthians shows us the response to his rebuke. Did they run away? Did they respond in anger? Did they make excuses? No! In fact, they were so broken over their sin that Paul writes them again to them how proud he was of them for repenting like true followers of Jesus. Paul was sorry to have caused them such sorrow with his strong words, but he knew it was necessary and was overjoyed to see that they responded with humility and repentance. They felt “godly sorrow, eagerness to clear themselves, indignation over their sin, and readiness to see justice done” (2 Corinthians 7:8-11).
King David (Psalm 51): The entirety of Psalm 51 is in relation to David committing adultery with Bathsheba, having her husband murdered on the front lines, and brazenly using his position as king to cover up his sin. After confrontation from the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-24), and experiencing the consequences of his sin, David doesn’t just feel guilt over being caught, he is distraught over sinning against God. He declares, “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:17).
Further Study: Matthew 3:8, 21:32; Luke 17:3; Acts 3:19; 1 John 1:9.
Used in Everyday Conversation
“His response to being confronted over his sin was a lot like Judas, who felt remorse for getting caught and tried to give back the bribe to atone for his sin (Matthew 27:3). I am praying that his heart responds with the humility and repentance that Zacchaeus showed in response to Jesus.”
“Repentance is an important part of the Christian life. We don’t just wallow in guilt and shame over our sin, we change our minds about sin, our decisions, and who we are living for. A genuinely repentant believer does not run from confession and repentance, but rather, they run towards it because they want to follow Jesus and walk in His grace.”
