REPENTANCE
There are a variety of words translated as
“repentance” in the various versions of the Bible. To see the most significant
ideas associated with this highly important word, a look at the Hebrew and
Greek original words is in order. At that point we can develop the essential
nature of the concept.
OLD TESTAMENT WORDS
1. Nacham:
“to pant,” “to sigh,” “to groan;”
therefore “to lament,” “to experience relief,” “to regret.” The word applies to
God when He experiences emotions of either grief or relief called for when He
changes the way He will deal with people (Gen. 6:6; Jonah 3:10; Jer. 18:8,
10). When the word is used of men,
unlike with God, it refers to regret over transgression (Jer. 8:6; Job. 42:6; I
Sam. 15:29).
2.
Shuv: “to turn,” “to return.” This is the
word most commonly associated with the idea of a turn from evil and a return to
righteousness (Deut. 4:30; Neh. 1:9; Ps. 7:12; Jer. 3:14). When used of God it
speaks of God changing His intentions toward man (Ex. 32:12; Josh. 7:26), or
His work in changing the hearts of men (Ps. 85:4). It can refer to a person
returning to God (I Sam. 7:3), or God returning to a person (Ps. 90:13).
3. Both
nacham
and shuv
are found in Ezekiel. 14:6, and Jonah 3:8-9.
NEW TESTAMENT WORDS
1. Metamelomia:
“to care,” “be concerned.” This word may indicate mere remorse without bringing
about reformation in life, or demonstrate a personal sadness not having to do
with sin (Matt. 21:32; 27:3; II Cor. 7:8).
2. Epistrepho:
“to turn over,” “to turn upon,” “to turn into.” This word is often used to
express the spiritual transition from sin to God (Acts 9:35; 11:21; 26:20; I
Thess. 1:9).
3. Metanoeo:
“to change the attitude,” or “to change the mind.” This word expresses the fundamental
concept associated with the idea of the English word repentance. The term
signifies “having another mind” (Matt. 3:2; Mk. 1:15; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 20:21).
God has made this idea indispensable in salvation (Lk. 24:47; Acts 5:31). It is
a prerequisite to baptism and forgiveness (Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:3; Acts 2:38; 13:24; 19:4). Repentance is to
demonstrate its genuineness by producing the appropriate fruits (Matt. 3:8).
THE THREE ELEMENTS IN ACCEPTABLE REPENTANCE
1. The
Intellectual Element: God demands a rational response from those who
would serve Him (Jn. 8:31-32; Psa. 51:3; Acts 10:22; II Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17).
2. The
Emotional Element: God requires that our emotional attitude be
changed if true repentance is to be experienced (II Cor. 7:9-10; Ps. 51:1-2,
10-14; Acts 2:36-37).
3. The
Voluntary Element: Free will and individual responsibility must be
exercised before repentance is complete (Acts 2:38, 41; Matt. 21:28-31; Eph.
4:17-32; Rom. 1:5; 16:26).
4. The
change brought about in repentance is so deep and radical as to involve the
whole personality: mind, emotions, and will (II Cor. 5:17; Jn. 3:3; Rom. 6:3-4;
Gal. 2:20).
The heart of understanding repentance has
to do with seeing the need for a radical change. It is a change of mind that
leads to a change of life. Or perhaps more accurately put, a change of the
whole person that leads to a change in the whole of life.
Edwin
3/18/01
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