Repentance: 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
(Matthew 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
a. a true sense of one's own guilt and sinfulness;
b. an apprehension of God's mercy in Christ;
c. an actual hatred of sin
(Psalms 119:128; Job 42:5,6; 2 Corinthians 7:10)
and turning from it to God
d. 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
(Psalms 51:4,9) of pollution
(Psalms 51:5,7,10)
and of helplessness
(Psalms 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
(Psalms 51:1; 130:4)
