Repentance
and the Pauline Gospel
Some have come to believe
that since Paul did not stress repentance in his writings that repentance is
unnecessary. Such is incorrect.
*The KJV is the base text for
this study.
Rom 8:14 For
as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
The fact is that without the
leading of the Spirit we will not come to Christ, none will experience God’s
salvation.
The root word translated
“repent” in the New Testament is Strong’s # 3340 metanoeoo-metanoew. That word. # 3340, pictures a turning. It means to make a change in one’s principle
and practice. We will also look at
Strong’s # 3341 metaioa-metaioa, which is always translated “repentance.”
As we will see, Paul does not
use the principle of repent/repentance as much as the four Gospels do, but Paul
also does not avoid it as some seem to teach.
And, when Paul does write about the subject he reflects Jesus’
teachings.
First, let’s look at Strong’s
#3340 as used by Paul. Within Paul’s writings and in Paul’s quotes in Acts,
this Greek word is always translated “repent.”
Acts 17:30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every
where to repent:
Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of
2 Cor 7:8
For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent:
for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but
for a season.
The following verses are all
of the uses of repentance Strong’s # 3341 (Gr. metanoia-metanio) written by Luke
about Paul and written by Paul. In all such cases, this word is translated
“repentance.”
Acts 19:4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should
believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
***This verse does not reflect
Christian baptism, but rather the Old Testament mikvah immersion, which was
used to cleanse Jews from their sins. Christians experience a “believers
baptism” that is the result of
salvation.
Acts 20:21
Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of
Rom 2:4 Or
despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering;
not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
2 Cor 7:9-10
9 Now I rejoice, not that ye
were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance:
for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us
in nothing.
10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to
be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2 Tim 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth;
Here is a truth that escapes
most Christians. In the OT, repentance
brought about salvation. BUT in the NT, grace gives us the ability to
repent. God gives us repentance as part
of the justification package!
As you can readily see, while
repentance was not a heavy focus within Paul’s teachings, he did not avoid, nor
diminish the necessity of repentance toward God.
Salvation requires repentance
toward God and faith in Christ Jesus.
God’s loving gives us the power to repent, and to have faith in Christ!