What is the definition of "repent"?

[faithandgrace]

I always thought it meant to turn away from sin, but I've heard some people say it means to change your mind about Christ. Which is it?

[Mezuzas]

I don't know where they get their definition...

[Blood Bought]

In essence, you're turning to Christ in belief, while simultaneously turning from your sins.

An example I've heard given, is hold up the back of your hand in front of your face. That is sin. Turn your hand 180 degrees so the front is now facing you... that would be like turning to Christ. "You're right God, and I am wrong".

And as we know, all our sins for all time are left at the Cross, covered by the Blood.

Personally, when I was saved, I had no idea what repentence, justification, sanctification, or regeneration really was. I made no promises about ever doing any of those sins again because if I make a promise, I certainly wouldn't want to goof it up down the road. I just knew I needed a Savior, and I knew my sins were the breaking of God's perfect Law, and I was destined for hell. I left it all with Him to do the work.

Some would say repentence is more than that, but to this day I honestly can't figure out how to go any deeper than I have. You know how there are those times when we go on a mini-streak of sinning, then we're being accused by satan, and we start wondering about our Salvation? It sometimes gets to the point where I feel I am mocking God's infinite wisdom if I continue to dwell on it. That, and His promises are sure. I just go to Him in prayer and spill my heart. Often times we can't even put thoughts together correctly, but He goes deeper than that... the depths of our hearts, and that's what matters.

This verse should be a comfort to those of us who believe, in terms of our desire for Him, but should strike terror into an unbeliever...

Hebrews 4:12 - For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Since that day of Salvation, fruits came about, and the sinning was less through the power of the Holy Spirit. It's been quite an up and down journey with a whole lot of warfare going on inside, but He'll get me shaped up perfectly on that Blessed Day!

Thank God for His eternal Grace!

[Obadiah]

The Greek word metanoeo means essentially to change one's mind, to change one's mode of thinking, to change one's perspective.

[antsinmypants]

Suprisingly enough, one of the best explinations (simply put and documented with biblical references) of what the Hebrew meaning of Repentance (both words -- T'shuv and Nicham/Nacham) has been with Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Repentance) and the Jewish Encyclopedia.

It explained far better than most of the concordances and lexicons I've gotten my hands on.

[HeIsEnough]

I always thought it meant to turn away from sin

Strictly speaking, sin is not a part of the words definition. It is often the association which gives the word context, and the scriptures often associate the word with sin, but not always. The beginning ministry of John the baptist and Christ, associate the word more with believing the "good news." Believing the "good news", sheds much light on some bad news, our sin.

Matthew 3:2 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=47&chapter=3&verse=2&version=9&context=verse)
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Mark 1:15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=48&chapter=1&verse=15&version=9&context=verse)
And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Even the Lord self describes the idea:

Exodus 32:14 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=2&chapter=32&verse=14&version=9&context=verse)
And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.

The people who Christ ministered to knew much about sin already, no Israelite needed much convincing sin is wrong. What people did not know, is that Christ was bringing the solution, long ago prophesied, which had now 'come upon them'.

The leaders in Israel were not upbraided because they were outright "sinning", they were rebuked first and foremost because they refused to believe Christ. In God's view, all men are sinners and He provided the solution, Jesus, the Christ. In that day, the leaders of Israel conceivably didn't believe they were "sinners", let alone needed a Savior in the mold which the Lord provided, so they rejected Him and His provision. Today, we likely come upon men who have no problem believing they are "sinners", they just don't believe in God's solution.

So to merely say repentance means to "turn away from sin" as we normally think it, is not accurate. It truly conveys several things. One is that I recognize I am a sinner (which is to acknowledge the truth), two is that I need saved from this sin, three is that Christ is the answer to my sin.

I don't believe I've met anyone who will not acknowledge the the first part, and the first part is seen as a given by God, to not acknowledge it, is surely to be a self deluded liar, and a man who doesn't appear to sin, like the Pharisee's, are still full of sin in God's eyes. After we recognize all these things and are placed into the body of Christ by receiving the Spirit, then men will begin to stop living life in the flesh, and start living life by the Spirit, i.e, truly turn from sin in the biblical sense (receive remission of sin and times of refreshing). Good link by ants btw.

[kgreen20]

This is a paraphrase of the definition my pastor gave us, as he received it from Charles Swindoll. I'm giving it in my own words here.

To repent is to recognize that you're a sinner, bound for Hell, and in need of salvation and God's mercy. In short, you realize that you need the gift that Jesus offers. Then you ask Jesus for that gift--you ask Him to save you. To recognize your need and to ask Jesus to meet that need--that is repentance.

The fruit of repentance is turning away from sin and toward Jesus.

[AnotherOldGuy]

I always thought it meant to turn away from sin, but I've heard some people say it means to change your mind about Christ. Which is it?

Repentance is a 'change of mind'. And it's not just about sin. In the scriptural context, it's to change your mind about who's in control.

In it's simplest form, Paul gives the definition:

(Acts 26:20) "but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

"Repent, turn to God"

If one turns to God, he will indeed turn away from sin. But it's not just a 'turning away', it's a 'turning towards' the Lord.



To repent is to recognize that you're a sinner, bound for Hell, and in need of salvation and God's mercy.
Unnnnnnnnnnn - not really. That may result from repentance. Repentance is recognizing and acknowledging God.

If one truly recognizes God, he will respond in submission and subordination. One who claims to know God must have that response.

"recognize that you're a sinner, bound for Hell, and in need of salvation and God's mercy." - I think that often that is a hinderance to repentance. The focus there is on me. "I'm bad, I need saved". If you look at scripture, people didn't do that. Their focus was on God - they recognized His majesty and authority. They might later show wonder that God would save such a wretch.

[goinghome]

Repentance is a 'change of mind'. And it's not just about sin. In the scriptural context, it's to change your mind about who's in control.

In it's simplest form, Paul gives the definition:

(Acts 26:20) "but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.

"Repent, turn to God"

If one turns to God, he will indeed turn away from sin. But it's not just a 'turning away', it's a 'turning towards' the Lord.



Unnnnnnnnnnn - not really. That may result from repentance. Repentance is recognizing and acknowledging God.

If one truly recognizes God, he will respond in submission and subordination. One who claims to know God must have that response.

"recognize that you're a sinner, bound for Hell, and in need of salvation and God's mercy." - I think that often that is a hinderance to repentance. The focus there is on me. "I'm bad, I need saved". If you look at scripture, people didn't do that. Their focus was on God - they recognized His majesty and authority. They might later show wonder that God would save such a wretch.

You can't recognize/acknowledge God without dislikeing/repenting of yourself (your sinful ways). Why would you need God if you didn't see yourself in your true light (or should I say darkness)? I agree with others that this is a simultaneous event. Turning away from us (sin) and turning to God (submission). I don't think one can distinguish the two, it's one action with two results IMHO.

[Chris]

http://www.gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/what-does-repent-really-mean

What Does Repent Really Mean?
Ask a Bible Teacher

Q. Can you give us a great understanding of the Hebrew and Greek words for our English word called Repentance? I know you think its translated from Hebrew and Greek to English as a change of heart but can you actually show us in words the translation from Hebrew/Greek to English?

A. A good translation of repent from Hebrew to English is in the KJV of Jonah 3:10 where it says, "And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did [it] not."

God had Jonah tell the people of Nineveh that he would judge them in 40 days, but when He saw how they responded He changed His mind and delayed the judgment. The Hebrew word is nacham and as you can see, means to change one's mind.

In Hebrew there can also be an attitude of sorrow or regret associated with the change, which is not in evidence here. God was obviously not sorry that He didn't get to judge Nineveh, but in Genesis 6:6 the same word is used to show that God was sorry that he ever created mankind. But in neither case does the text imply that God needed to clean up His behavior. (As if He could.)

The examples I gave of John the Baptist in Matt. 3:1, and Peter in Acts 2:38 in this week's Feature Article demonstrate the same idea in the New Testament. In both places, the Greek word is metanoeo and means "to change one's mind". Both John and Peter were admonishing their listeners to change their minds about their need for a Savior.

Commentators sometimes attach their own opinions in defining the word, but according to Strong's Concordance, from which I got this definition, the meaning is clear. Like I said, it's one of the Bible's most misunderstood words.