Repentance
and the Pauline Gospel
Some have come to believe
that since Paul did not stress repentance in his writings and 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
metanoeō-μετανοέω. That word pictures a turning. It means to make a change in one’s principle
and practice. We will also look at Strong’s # 3341 metanoia-μετάνοια, 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.
That verse does not refer to
turning from sin, but to felling human sorrow because those who received his
letter were in human sorrow over the letter’s contents.
The following verses are all
of the uses of repentance based in variations of Strong’s # 3341 (Gr. metanoeō-μετανοέω) written by Luke about Paul and also written by Paul
himself. 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.
Paul taught repentance from
sin as a step leading to salvation!
Acts 26:20
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that
they should repent and turn
to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Paul taught repentance, “works meet for repentance.”
Those “works are acts that show a repentant heart!
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?
Did Paul write the letter to
the Roman Church? Yes! Did he proclaim
the God’s goodness lead to repentance? Yes!
So, why teach that he did not
teach 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.
The sorrow exihibted by the Corinthians led to repentance! And,
repentance led to salvation!
2 Tim 2:25
In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth;
Paul’s teaching focused on
repentance!
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!