Question:
Dr. Hank, I have looked up the word Repent and found the following… Lexicon Results for metanoeo (Strong’s 3340) Greek for 3340 Pronunciation Guide metanoeo {met-an-o-eh’-o} TDNT Reference Root Word TDNT – 4:975,636 from 3326 and 3539 Part of Speech v Outline of Biblical Usage 1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent 2) to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins 1. Amend To change for the better; improve: amended the earlier proposal so as to make it more comprehensive. 2. To remove the faults or errors in; correct. See Synonyms at correct. 3. To alter (a legislative measure, for example) formally by adding, deleting, or rephrasing. 4. To enrich (soil), especially by mixing in organic matter or sand. v. intr. To better one’s conduct; reform. Abhorrence 1 One that is disgusting, loathsome, or repellent. 2 A feeling of repugnance or loathing. Those definitions do seem to carry the slant of turning away from sin, do they not? I want to be absolutely sure of what & why I’m telling people when I present the Gosple to them. It does say to change one’s mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins. What is your feeling on the above facts? Thanks! Keep up the good work & God bless you!
Answer:
You went to a lexicon AND NOT THE Strong’s concordance. The lexicon is wrong probably reflects the bad theology of the author (most probably caused from the writers misunderstanding of doctrine – it clouded his definition). I don’t know what source you have quoted from, but part of it is at the least misleading. The first part of your definition is correct, “1) to change one’s mind, i.e. to repent;” however, the second definition is incorrect (most probably caused from the writers misunderstanding of doctrine – it clouded his definition). I have included the main stay dictionaries and Greek lexicons defnition for your edification. They clearly show that “metanoia” and “metanoeo” clearly mean “a change of mind.” Repenting is all about changing your mind about Jesus Christ. It is about coming from a position of not believing on Jesus Christ to a position of believing (trusting) on Him. A good place to look at in the Bible for repentance is in Matthew 3:2 where it reads,” And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” What exactly does this mean? Let’s let the Bible explain what John the Baptist’s word “repent means in Acts 19:2-4,” “He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4Then 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.” Here a clear meaning of John’s word “repent” is given. It means, “that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” That should settle it! TRY USING THE STRONG’S CONCORDANCE NEXT TIME.