Reference: Repentance
American
A change of mind, accompanied with regret and sorrow for something done, and an earnest wish that it was undone. Such was the repentance of Juda, Mt 27:3; and so it is said that Esau found "no place of repentance" in his father Isaac, although he sought it with tears, Heb 12:17; that is, Isaac would not change what he had done, and revoke the blessing given to Jacob, Ge 27. God is sometimes said to "repent" of something he had done, Ge 6:6; Jon 3:9-10; not that he could wish it undone, but that in his providence such a change of course took place as among men would be ascribed to a change of mind. But the true gospel repentance, or "repentance unto life," is sorrow for sin, grief for having committed it, and a turning away from it with abhorrence, accompanied with sincere endeavors, in reliance on God's grace and the influences of the Holy Spirit, to live in humble and holy obedience to the commands and will of God. This is that repentance which always accompanies true faith, and to which is promised the free forgiveness of sin through the merits of Jesus Christ, Mt 4:17; Ac 3:19; 11:18; 20:12.
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Jehovah was grieved that he had made man on the earth. His heart was grieved with pain.
Who knows whether God will turn back and change his mind, and turn away from his fierce anger that we will not perish? God saw their works! That they turned from their evil way. God turned back from the deed that he said he would do to them. He did not do it.
From that time on Jesus preached this message: Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near.
Judas, his betrayer, heard he was to be put to death. Out of regret, he took the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and those in authority.
Repent therefore, and turn around, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times (seasons) of refreshing shall come from the presence of Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 18:18, 19)
When they heard this they objected no more and praised God, saying: God has granted the people of the nations repentance to life.
Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive (inherit) his father's blessing. He was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done. He was in tears when he looked for it.
Easton
There are three Greek words used in the New Testament to denote repentance. (1.) The verb metamelomai is used of a change of mind, such as to produce regret or even remorse on account of sin, but not necessarily a change of heart. This word is used with reference to the repentance of Judas (Mt 27:3).
(2.) Metanoeo, meaning to change one's mind and purpose, as the result of after knowledge. This verb, with (3) the cognate noun metanoia, is used of true repentance, a change of mind and purpose and life, to which remission of sin is promised.
Evangelical repentance consists of (1) a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness; (2) an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ; (3) an actual hatred of sin (Ps 119:128; Job 42:5-6; 2Co 7:10) and turning from it to God; and (4) a persistent endeavour after a holy life in a walking with God in the way of his commandments.
The true penitent is conscious of guilt (Ps 51:4,9), of pollution (Ps 51:5,7,10), and of helplessness (Ps 51:11; 109:21-22). Thus he apprehends himself to be just what God has always seen him to be and declares him to be. But repentance comprehends not only such a sense of sin, but also an apprehension of mercy, without which there can be no true repentance (Ps 51:1; 130:4).
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My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.
([[Psalm of David] when the prophet Nathan came to him after David's adultery with Bathsheba:]) Have mercy on me, O God, in keeping with your loving-kindness. According to your unlimited compassion, wipe out my transgressions.
I have sinned against you, especially you. I have done what you consider evil in your sight. So you hand down justice when you speak, and you are blameless when you judge. Indeed, I was born in perversity (mischief) (evil). I was a sinner when my mother conceived me.
Purify me from sin with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Hide your face (turn away) from my sins, and wipe out (erase) all that I have done wrong. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast (dependable) spirit within me. read more. Do not force me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
O Lord Jehovah, deal with me out of the goodness of your name. Rescue me because of your loving kindness. I am oppressed and needy. I feel pain in my heart.
You are blessed O Jehovah. Teach me your statutes.
But there is forgiveness with you, that you may be reverenced.
Judas, his betrayer, heard he was to be put to death. Out of regret, he took the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and those in authority.
Hastings
Repentance, in the sense of turning from a purpose, is frequently predicated of God in the OT (Ge 6:6-7; Ex 32:14 etc.). Repentance for sin is commonly expressed by 'turn' or 'return' (e.g. De 4:30; Isa 55:7; Eze 3:2; Ho 14:2). Repentance has a prominent place in the NT, alone (Mt 4:17; Lu 15:7; Ac 2:38 etc.), or in conjunction with faith (Mr 1:15; Ac 20:21 etc.), as an Indispensable condition of salvation. The word ordinarily used (metanoia) means literally 'change of mind.' The change, however, is one in which not the intellect only, but the whole nature (understanding, affections, will), is involved. It is such an altered view of God and sin as carries with it heartfelt sorrow for sin, confession of it, and decisive turning from it to God and righteousness (Lu 15:17-18; Ro 6:17-18; 2Co 7:10-11 etc.). Its reality is tested by its fruits (Mt 3:8; Lu 6:43-46). From this 'godly sorrow', which works 'repentance unto salvation' (2Co 7:10-11), is distinguished a 'sorrow of the world' which 'worketh death' (2Co 7:10), i.e. a sorrow which has no relation to God, or to the intrinsic evil of sin, but only to sin's harmful consequences. There may be keen remorse, and blaming of one's self for one's folly, yet no real repentance.
Disputes have arisen in theology as to the priority of faith or repentance, but unnecessarily, for the two, rightly viewed, are but the positive and negative poles of the same state of soul. There can be no evangelical faith which does not spring from a heart broken and contrite on account of sin; on the other hand, there can be no true repentance which has not the germ of faith in God, and of hope in His mercy, in it. The Law alone would break the heart; the Gospel melts it. Repentance is the turning from sin; Gospel faith is the turning to Christ for salvation. The acts are inseparable (Ac 20:21).
James Orr.
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Jehovah was grieved that he had made man on the earth. His heart was grieved with pain. So Jehovah said: I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth. All of them: men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air. I am sorry that I created them.
So Jehovah changed his mind and did not bring disaster on his people as he threatened.
When you are in trouble (distress) and all these things happen to you in the latter days, turn to Jehovah your God and obey his voice.
Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to Jehovah, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.
I opened my mouth, and he gave me the scroll to eat.
Return to Jehovah and say to him: 'Take away all iniquity and receive us graciously, that we may present the fruit (young bulls) of our lips.' (Hebrews 13:15)
Bear fruit worthy of repentance!
From that time on Jesus preached this message: Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near.
Jesus said: The time has come. The kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe the good news.
A good tree does not produce corrupt fruit and a corrupt tree does not produce good fruit. The identity of a tree is made clear by the fruit it produces. Men do not gather figs from thorns, nor do they gather grapes from a bramble. read more. The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good. The evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth that which is evil. Out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. Why do you call me Lord, and do not do what I tell you to do?
It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.
Finally it dawned on him, my father's hired workers have more than they can eat and I am about to starve! I will go to my father and say: 'Father I have sinned against God and against you.
Then Peter said: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
But thanks to God, that you were the servants of sin yet you became obedient from the heart to the teachings delivered to you. After being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.
For godly sorrow works repentance leading to salvation. This is a repentance that brings no regret: but the sorrow of the world works death.
For godly sorrow works repentance leading to salvation. This is a repentance that brings no regret: but the sorrow of the world works death. This very thing that you sorrowed in a godly manner: What diligence it made in you, what clearing of yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, yes what vindication! You demonstrated yourself to innocent in the matter.
Morish
The idea conveyed in this term is of great importance from the fact of its application not only to man but to God, showing how God, in His government of the earth, is pleased to express His own sense of events taking place upon it. This does not clash with His omniscience. There are two senses in which repentance on the part of God is spoken of.
1. As to His own creation or appointment of objects that fail to answer to His glory. He repented that He had made man on the earth, and that He had set up Saul as king of Israel. Ge 6:6-7; 1Sa 15:11,35
1Sa 15:2. As to punishment which He has threatened, or blessing He has promised. When Israel turned from their evil ways and sought God, He often repented of the punishment He had meditated. 2Sa 24:16, etc. On the other hand, the promises to bless Israel when in the land were made conditionally on their obedience, so that God would, if they did evil, turn from or repent of the good that He had said He would do, either to Israel or in fact to any nation. Jer 18:8-10. He would alter the order of His dealings towards them, and as to Israel He said, "I am weary with repenting." Jer 15:6. In all this the responsibility of man is concerned, as well as the divine government.
But the unconditional promises of God, as made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, are not subject to repentance. "The gifts and calling of God are without repentance." Ro 11:29. "God is not a man that he should lie; neither the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it?" Nu 23:19; 1Sa 15:29; Mal 3:6. And this must hold good in regard to every purpose of His will.
As regards man, repentance is the necessary precursor of his experience of grace on the part of God. Two motives for repentance are presented in scripture: the goodness of God which leads to repentance (Ro 2:4) and coming judgement, on account of which God now commands all men to repent (Ac 17:30-31); but it is distinctly of His grace and for His glory that this door of return to Him is granted (Ac 11:18) in that He has approached man in grace and by His glad tidings, consequent on His righteousness having been secured in the death of Christ. Hence God's testimony is "repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Ac 20:21.
Repentance has been described as "a change of mind Godward that leads to a judgement of self and one's acts." 1Ki 8:47; Eze 14:6; Mt 3:2; 9:13; Lu 15:7; Ac 20:21; 2Co 7:9-10; etc. This would not be possible but for the thought of mercy in God. It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance. Ro 2:4.
Repentance is also spoken of as a change of thought and action where there is no evil to repent of. 2Co 7:8.
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Jehovah was grieved that he had made man on the earth. His heart was grieved with pain. So Jehovah said: I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth. All of them: men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air. I am sorry that I created them.
God is a not man that he should lie. He is not a son of man who changes his mind. Does he ever promise and not fulfill? Does he ever speak and not act?
When the angel stretched out his arm to destroy Jerusalem, Jehovah changed his mind about the disaster. Enough! He said to the angel who was destroying the people. Put down your weapon. The angel of Jehovah was at the threshing floor of Araunah the Jebusite.
If they come to their senses and are sorry for what they have done, and plead with you in the land where they are captives, saying: We have sinned. We have done wrong. We have been wicked.
You left me, declares Jehovah. You turned your back on me. So I will stretch out my hand against you (use my power against you) and destroy you. I am tired of showing compassion to you.
However if the nation that I threatened turns away from doing wrong. Then I will change my plans about the disaster I planned to do to it. At another time I may promise to build and plant a nation or a kingdom. read more. If that nation does what I consider evil and does not obey me I will change my mind about the good that I promised to do to it.
Therefore tell the nation of Israel: This is what the Lord Jehovah says: Change the way you think and act! (Repent!) Turn away from your idols, and do not return to any of your disgusting things.
I am Jehovah. I have not changed! You are the sons of Jacob. You have not yet been destroyed!
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
You should learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice'; for I came, not to call the righteous, but sinners.
It is the same. I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine good people who do not need to repent.
When they heard this they objected no more and praised God, saying: God has granted the people of the nations repentance to life.
God overlooked the times of ignorance; but now he commands men everywhere to repent. He has established a day (time) in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man [Jesus] whom he has ordained. Of that he gives proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead. (John 5:22) (Isaiah 2:4) (Acts 10:42)
I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
I witnessed to both Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
Do you despise the riches of his goodness, forbearance, and long-suffering? Do you not know that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?
The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable.
For though I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it (for I see that that letter made you sorry, though but for a season),
Watsons
REPENTANCE is sometimes used generally for a change of mind, and an earnest wishing that something were undone that has been done. Esau found no place for repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears; he could not move his father Isaac to repent of what he had done, or to recall the blessing from Jacob and confer it on himself, Heb 12:17; Mt 3:2; 4:17. Taken in a religious sense it signifies conviction of sin and sorrow for it. But there is,
1. A partial or worldly repentance, wherein one is grieved for and turns from his sin, merely on account of the hurt it has done, or is likely to do, him; so a malefactor, who still loves his sin, repents of doing it, because it brings him to punishment.
2. An evangelical repentance, which is a godly sorrow wrought in the heart of a sinful person by the word and Spirit of God, whereby, from a sense of his sin, as offensive to God, and defiling and endangering to his own soul, and from an apprehension of the mercy of God in Christ, he, with grief and hatred of all his known sins, turns from them to God, as his Saviour and Lord. This is called "repentance toward God," as therein we turn from sin to him; and "repentance unto life;" as it leads to spiritual life, and is the first step to eternal life, Mt 3:2; Ac 3:19; 11:18; 20:12. God himself is said to repent, but this can only be understood of his altering his conduct towards his creatures, either in the bestowing of good or the infliction of evil: which change in the divine conduct is founded on a change in his creatures; and thus, speaking after the manner of men, God is said to repent.
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Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.
From that time on Jesus preached this message: Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near.
Repent therefore, and turn around, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times (seasons) of refreshing shall come from the presence of Jehovah. (Deuteronomy 18:18, 19)
When they heard this they objected no more and praised God, saying: God has granted the people of the nations repentance to life.
Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive (inherit) his father's blessing. He was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done. He was in tears when he looked for it.