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The Word Study Method

The document provides a detailed word study of the Greek words "metanoeo" and "metamelomai" that are translated as "repent" in the New Testament. It examines the original meanings of the words, how they were used in different contexts, and their occurrences in scripture. The key differences are that metanoeo involves a genuine change of heart and life, while metamelomai only expresses regret or remorse without an actual change of beliefs or actions. An example from 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 is given to illustrate this distinction between true repentance and mere regret.

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Gear John Tiger
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53 views

The Word Study Method

The document provides a detailed word study of the Greek words "metanoeo" and "metamelomai" that are translated as "repent" in the New Testament. It examines the original meanings of the words, how they were used in different contexts, and their occurrences in scripture. The key differences are that metanoeo involves a genuine change of heart and life, while metamelomai only expresses regret or remorse without an actual change of beliefs or actions. An example from 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 is given to illustrate this distinction between true repentance and mere regret.

Uploaded by

Gear John Tiger
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WORD STUDY FORM

1. ENGLISH WORD Repent (noun — Repentance)

2. ENGLISH DEFINITION

“To feel such remorse or regret for past conduct as to change one’s mind regarding it.”

3. COMPARISON OF TRANSLATIONS Luke 13:3

“Repent” — NIV, NASB, KJV, Amplified, etc.


“Turn from your sins” — Good News Bible
“Leave your evil ways and turn to God” — Living Bible

4. ORIGINAL WORD AND SHORT DEFINITION

• “metanoeo” (Greek), “to change one’s mind”


• “metamelomai” (Greek), “to regret or show remorse”
WORD STUDY FORM
5. OCCURRENCES IN THE BIBLE

Two different Greek words are translated “repent” in the New Testament:
A. Metanoeo
“Repent” (verb), 34 times “Repentance” (noun), 24 times
5 times in Matthew 3 times in Matthew
2 times in Mark 2 times in Mark
9 times in Luke 5 times in Luke
5 times in Acts 6 times in Acts
1 time in 2 Corinthians 1 time in Romans
12 times in Revelation 2 times in 2 Corinthians
1 time in 2 Timothy
3 times in Hebrews
1 time in 2 Peter

B. Metamelomai
“Repent” (verb) — 6 times
3 times in Matthew
2 times in 2 Corinthians
1 time in Hebrews

Interesting Insights
• The word is never used in the gospel of John; but it is used in Revelation 12 times.
• The author Luke used it the most (Luke and Acts).
• Repentance is not emphasized much in the Epistles because they were written to believers.
WORD STUDY FORM
6. ROOT MEANING AND ORIGIN (use reference books)

Metanoeo literally means “to perceive afterward.” It is made up of two Greek words: meta, which
means “after” (implying change), and noeo, which means “to perceive” (nous is Greek for “the
mind”).

From this we get the meaning of “to change one’s mind or purpose.” In the New Testament this
change is always for the better, and it denotes a genuine, complete change of heart and life.

Not only does it imply a turning away (negative) from sin, but a turning to (positive) that which
is right and godly. It means more than just feeling sorry for wrong you’ve done. It also means to
completely change your mind about the sin and go a different way.

Metamelomai comes from meta (“after”) and melo (“to care for”). It means to regret or express
remorse for something you wish you hadn’t done. It means to have painful anxiety (sorrow) over
a past deed. This is not genuine repentance. It means to regret something you did without ever
really changing your mind about it. (“I’m sorry I got caught, but I’m not sorry I did it.” Or “I’m not
sure I wouldn’t do it again.”) The best illustration of this is Judas. He was regretful for betraying
Jesus (metamelomai — Matt. 27:3), but he never genuinely repented of it (metanoeo).
WORD STUDY FORM
7. HOW THE WORD WAS USED

A. In Other Writings:
Metanoeo was not used much in classical Greek literature. When the word was used, it did
not mean the radical change of a person's life as a whole as it does in the New Testament.
B. Throughout the Bible:
• Repentance (nâham) in the Old Testament is seen most clearly in Ezekiel 18 and 33:10 – 20.
• “Repent” was the basic message of John the Baptist (Matt. 3:2), Jesus (Matt. 4:17), the
12 disciples (Mark 6:12), Peter at Pentecost (Acts 2:38).
• It is commanded by God for everyone (Acts 17:30; 2 Peter 3:9).
• It is part of saving faith (Luke 13:5; Acts 3:19).
• It produces joy in heaven (Luke 15:7, 10).
• It is proven by our actions (Acts 26:20).
• Jesus used the word 17 times in the Gospels and 8 times in Revelation.
• What causes us to repent?
— God’s goodness to us (Rom. 2:4)
— Godly sorrow for our sin (2 Cor. 7:9 – 10)
— God’s grace (2 Tim. 2:25)
• It is a foundational truth of the Christian life (Heb. 6:1).
C. In the Context of the Passage: 2 Corinthians 7:9 – 10
This verse shows the difference between genuine repentance (metanoeo) and mere regret
(metamelomai). Real godly sorrow brings about genuine repentance. This brings about a
change of life, not just regret.
WORD STUDY FORM
8. APPLICATION

“Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance, and patience, not realizing
that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?” (Rom. 2:4)

Sin to Confess/Attitude to Change

I have held a personal grudge in my heart against John ever since the incident in the mountains
last fall. It has put a strain on our relationship. The Lord has convicted me about this in the past,
but I have put off making restitution. I know I have sinned. I want to repent of this sin now. Tomor-
row afternoon I will go to John and ask his forgiveness. I want to straighten this matter out.

RESOURCE BOOKS USED

New International DIctionary of New Testament Theology, Vol. 1


Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words
Young’s Analytical Concordance to the Bible
WORD STUDY FORM
1. ENGLISH WORD

2. ENGLISH DEFINITION

3. COMPARISON OF TRANSLATIONS

4. ORIGINAL WORD AND SHORT DEFINITION


WORD STUDY FORM
5. OCCURRENCES IN THE BIBLE
WORD STUDY FORM
6. ROOT MEANING AND ORIGIN (use reference books)
WORD STUDY FORM
7. HOW THE WORD WAS USED

A. In Other Writings:

B. Throughout the Bible:

C. In the Context of the Passage:

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