REPENTANCE

What does it mean to repent? Is it just guilt? Is it simply regret? Or is it more than this?
Is it something we only do once? Are we to feel guilt all the time? Why is it necessary? What does God expect of us?

Below are more of the questions that can be asked about the subject of spiritual repentance and the scriptures that answer them. All scriptures are referenced from the KJV unless otherwise noted, however, we do recommend comparison with other versions.
Some scriptures are given more than once, as they answer more than one question.

1. What is spiritual repentance?
Psa. 32:5; Psa. 34:14; Psa. 34:18; Eze. 18:4, 20-23; 2 Chr. 7:14; Lk. 18:9-14;
1 Jn. 1:6-10; Job 13:23; Acts 3:19; Mk. 1:4; 2 Tim. 2:25;

2.a. Who needs to repent?
Acts 17:30; Rom. 3:23; Mat. 9:13; Eze. 18:4, 20-23; Lk. 13:3-5; 2 Pet. 3:9; Rev. 3:19;
Lk. 18:9-14; Acts 11:18; Mk. 1:5; Acts 13:24; Acts 26:20; Lk. 24:47;

b. Can a whole nation repent?
1 K. 8:46-49; Jer. 18:8; Jonah 3:4-10; Mat. 12:41

3. a. When should one repent?
Acts 17:30; Psa. 51:3; Psa. 95:7; Pro. 1:20-23; Isa. 55:6; Rev. 3:2-3

b. Can we repent at any time?
Acts 17:30; Pro. 1:23-33; Acts 26:20; Rev. 3:2-3

c. Should one repent daily?
Psa. 86:1-7; Mat. 6:9,11,12; 1 Cor.11:31

d. Is a "deathbed" (or "last minute") repentance acceptable to God?
Heb. 6:1-3; Eze. 18:21-23; 1 Pet. 4:17; Rom. 2:3-6; Rev. 3:2-3; Pro.1:24-33

e. Is it ever "too late" to repent?
Isa. 57:16; Psa. 32:5-6; Rev. 3:2-3; Pro. 1:24-32

f. What is the result if one never repents?
Eze. 18:4, 20-23; Job 36:10, 12; Pro. 1:24-32; Lk. 13:3-5; Rev. 2:5; Rev. 2:16; Rev. 3:3; Rev. 3:16-19; Eze. 33:11-13

g. Is it only done once in a lifetime? Explain.
(See 'Word Definitions" below.) 2 Cor. 7:10; Eze. 18:4, 20-23; Isa. 55:7; Psa. 51:12; 2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 6:1-6; Rev. 2:1-5; Rev. 3:3

4. How does one repent?
Mat. 7:7-8; 2 Chr.. 7:14; Psa. 32:5-6; Eze. 18:20-23; Jer. 31:18-19; Acts 26:20;
Psa. 51:1-4, 10; Rev. 3:3

5. a. Of what, specifically, does one repent?
Acts 2:38; Mk. 1:5; Acts 5:31; Eze. 18:4, 20-23; 1 Jn. 3:4 (with Ex. 20:1-20);
Gal. 5:19-21; 2 Tim. 3:1-7; Jer. 7:23-28; Jer. 7:3-9; 1 Jn. 2:4; 12:20-21; Rev. 2:4-5;
Rev. 2:14-16; Rev. 3:1-3; Rev. 3:15-18
b. Is there any act, for which, one cannot repent? Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30; Eze. 18:22;
1 Cor. 10:13; Eze. 33:14-16; Psa. 85:2; 1 Jn. 5:16-18; Mat.12:31-32

6. What is required?
Acts 26:20; Mat. 3:8; 1 K. 8:47-49; Eze. 18:21-23; 1 Jn. 1:9; 2 Chr..7:14; Psa. 34:14; Acts 20:21; Lk. 24:47; 2 Cor. 7:9-10; Psa. 34:18; Psa. 51:16-17

7. To whom does one repent?
Acts 20:21; Lev. 26:40-42; Psa. 51:1; Job 36:5, 10, 12; Isa. 55:6

8. Are there examples of repentance, in scripture?
Psa. 32:5-6; Psa. 51:1-19; Job 42:1-7; Lk. 15:11-24, 32; Lk. 18:9-14

9. a. How can we recognize true repentance in ourselves?
1 Jn. 1:6-10; Job 42:6; 2 Cor. 7:9-10; Eze. 18:4, 20-23; 2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 6:1-3, 10-12; Mat. 5:1-48; Gal. 5:22-23; 1 Jn. 5:3

b. What does it mean to "harden your heart"? Eze. 2:4; Eze. 3:7; Mk. 6:49-52; Mk. 16:14;
Jn. 12:40; Rom. 2:5; Eze. 11:19-21; Eze. 36:26-27

10. What is God's response when we repent?
Lk. 15:7, 11-32; Jer. 31:34; Heb. 10:17; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Isa.55:7; Isa. 57:15;
Eze. 18:23; Psa. 32:5, 8; 2 Chr.. 7:14 Pro. 1:23, 33; Eze. 18:21-22

11. a. Is God's help required for one to repent?
Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18; 2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 6:1-4, 6; Pro. 1:28; Rom. 2:4

b. Can God prevent repentance?
Jn. 12:40; Ex. 9:7, 12; Ex. 14:17; Isa. 6:9-10; Acts 28:25-28

12. What is meant by the statement that Christ "gives" repentance?
Mat. 9:13; Jn. 6:37, 44, 65; Mat. 20:16; Mat. 22:14; Jn. 13:18; Jn.15:16,19; Acts 5:31; Acts 11:18

13. What did Christ say about repentance?
Mat. 4:17; Mat. 9:13; Lk. 24:36, 45-48 14.

14. Did the apostles teach repentance?
Mat. 3:1-2; Mk. 6:7-12; Acts 2:38; Acts 20:16-21

15. a. Can the word repentance mean more than one thing?
(See "Word Definitions" below.)

b. Is there a false form of it or a counterfeit of it in the world?
Eze. 33:12-19; Lk. 18:9-14; 2 Cor. 7:9-10

c. What is the difference between worldly sorrow and real repentance?
(See "Word Definitions" below.) Lk. 15:7 2; Cor. 7:9-10; 2 Tim. 2:25

d. What is the difference between regret and repentance?
(See "Word Definitions" below.) 2 Tim. 2:25; Heb. 12:16-17; Mat. 27:3-5;

e. Does God ever repent?
(See "Word Definitions" below.) Num. 23:19; 1 Pet. 2:21-22; Heb. 6:18; Gen. 6:6-7;
1 Sam. 15:11, 35; Ex. 32:12, 14; Deu. 32:36; Jer. 15:6; Jer.18:8-10; Psa. 106:40-46;
Jud. 2:18; Psa. 110:4 16.

16.a. Are there other, related requirements?
Acts 2:38, 2 Tim. 2:25, Rev. 3:19-21, Mat. 6:14-15

b. How does repentance relate to works?
Acts 26:20; Mat. 3:8; Acts 11:18; (gift) Heb. 6:1; Rev. 2:5; Eze. 18:21; Jas. 2:17-20

c. What is repentance from "dead works"?
Heb. 6:1; Acts 26:20; 1 Cor. 3:13-15; Mat. 5:20; Mat. 6:1; Mat. 23:5; Gal. 5:19-21;
Eph. 5:11; Tit. 1:14-16; Rom. 6:20-21, 23

17. How does repentance change one's life?
Acts 3:19; Rom. 6:1, 2, 6, 12, 13, 16; Eze. 18:21; Jas. 4:7-10; 2 Tim.2:25; Acts 26:20; Psa. 34:14; Heb. 6:1; Gal. 5:22; Phil. 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:1-8; Mat. 5:1-48

18.How does the Book of Job relate to repentance?
(See "Related Questions"below.)


Word Definitions

From Strong's Concordance, we find several different words used: repent, repentance, repented, repentest, repenteth, repenting and repentings. The words are translated from several different Hebrew and Greek words.

Hebrew:
5162. nacham; To be sorry.
7725. shuwb; To turn back.
5164. nocham; Ruefulness, desistance (as in to desist, to stop).
5150. nichuwm, or nichum; Consoled, solace, comfort, repentings.

Greek:
3340. metanoeo; To think differently (afterwards), reconsider, (morally,
feel compunction).
3338. metamellomai; To care afterwards, regret.
3341.matanoia; Compunction (for guilt, including reformation), reversal of decision.
278. ametameletos; Irrevocable, without repentance, not to be repented
of.

From New Webster's Dictionary of the English Language, Encylopedic Edition,
we have the following definitions:

contrition -- n., (theological), sorrow for and detestation of sin with a true purpose of amendment.

contrite -- adj., broken in spirit by a sense of guilt.

guilt -- (from O.E. gylt, a crime < gyldan, to pay) the fact of having performed a wrong act, esp. a violation of a law or a moral or ethical code; a feeling of shame or remorse due to personal responsibility.

regret -- to think of with a sense of loss, to feel sorry about.

remorse -- (from Latin, "a biting again"), keen pain or anguish excited by a sense of guilt, a painful memory of wrongdoing.

shame -- the painful feeling arising from the consciousness of something dishonorable, improper, ridiculous, or the like done by oneself or another, or of being in a situation offensive to decency, self respect, or pride; ignominy; disgrace; dishonor.

sorrow -- pain of mind from loss, disappointment or calamity; grief; regret; to be sad.


Related Questions for Discussion

1. What brings one to true, spiritual repentance?
-- A fear of Hell or eternal death. (Ecc. 9:5)
-- An increasing awareness of the imminent possibility of world destruction.
(Mat. 24:3, 21- 22,42).
-- A realization of the need for, and the desire for a spiritual relationship with one's Creator. (Jn. 3:16).
-- Understanding the lesson of Ecclesiastes: that all materialism, all physical human achievement, all fame, wealth, power and knowledge is "vanity" (empty, transitory, and unsatisfactory) without a relationship with one's Creator. (See Ecc.)
-- A need, desire and hope for something beyond the physical realm, something permanent, something righteous and just. (Gen. 6:5, Mat. 24:37).
-- A realization that true, lasting happiness and joy are of the spirit and not of the flesh. (See Proverbs.)
-- A sense of purpose for human existence, beyond physical things and experiences. (Jn. 18:38, 14:17, 16:13)
-- Catastrophic events in one's life, resulting in despair, hopelessness and a feeling of total helplessness. Events resulting in a cry to a "higher power" for intervention and deliverance. Events motivating one to amend, commit and dedicate one's life to a yielding to God's way of life. (See Psalms and Job).
-- Understanding the lesson of the Book of Job: that human "righteousness", even when acknowledged by God, is insufficient. Understanding that total repentance and conversion involves humility before the Creator. Understanding that awareness of and repentance from one's own self- righteousness is a part of total repentance. (See Job).
-- Understanding the promises (contract, covenant or testament) which are offered by God to all mankind (through Abraham), of eternal life through faith, acceptance and obedience. (See Nave's Topical Bible, articles: "covenant", and "Abraham").
-- A desire for reward in the hereafter (Mat. 19:27).
-- A desire for "peace" (of mind) (Jn. 14:27).
-- A desire for long-lasting joy and happiness (Jn. 15:11).
-- A desire for immortality (Mat. 19:16).


2. How do I know what I should repent of?

3. Is "backsliding" the opposite of "repentance"?

4. What is sin?

5. Is law-keeping required? Were God's laws "done away"?

6. What is the difference between "works of the flesh" and "fruits of the spirit"?

7. What is Baptism? Was mine valid?

8. What is the Holy Spirit?

9. What is the Reward of the Saved?

10. What is Salvation?

11. Is there an everlasting Hell?


For further study: Future Topic Guides and Articles will offer answers for the questions above, in detail.

From: Commentary on the Whole Bible by Jamieson, Fausset, Brown, we find helpful comments regarding the following scriptures: Mat. 3:2, 6, 8, 11 Acts 17:30 Acts 2:38 Mat. 9:13
2 Cor. 7:8-11 Acts 5:31 Lk. 24:47 Acts 11:18 Acts 20:21 2 Pet. 3:9 2 Tim. 2:25-26 Heb. 6:1, 6 Heb. 12:17 Mat. 7:7 Rom. 6:22 Jer. 31:18-19 Eze. 18:21-32 Jer. 18:8-10

From Nave's Topical Bible, we find the following related words or topics:
Remorse, pp.1006, 1007.
Conviction (of sin) pp.227-229
Sin (confession of, and forgivenessof) pp. 1135-1150
Penitent (promises to), pp. 899-901.

 

Articles

SiteMap

Humor

TopicGuides

StudyGuides

ContactUs

Copyright M.H. and G.H. 1996. All rights reserved.