Jamin Bradley

Question: What does ‘repent’ mean? If someone interprets this as turning from sin and another interprets this as changing your mind about God and sin and as a result you work to turn away from sin, are they preaching different gospels? Let’s say in this scenario they both agree to: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” (Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬ ‭ESV‬‬)

Answer: The word “repent” takes on a different meaning between the Old and New Testaments. There’s actually no specific Hebrew word for repent in the Old Testament, but there are two words we look at to get the idea: šûb and nāḥam. Šûb is usually translated “return,” meaning “turn around and go in the opposite direction.” Nāḥam is something like sorrow or remorse. These two words work together to make up the Old Testament idea of repentance. The New Testament used the Greek word metanoia which means to radically change one’s thinking. Though you’ve already basically stated all of this in your question.

I think to get the best understanding of repentance, we should embrace all three aspects. While John the Baptist would have been calling people to radically change their thinking, such a radical conformity to Christ requires us to turn around from the sinful way we were going and to do things that show sorrow or remorse for going that way. Indeed, in the Old and New Testaments, true repentance was followed up with proof. For example, after Zacchaeus repented, he said “Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold.” Likewise, in Luke 3:10-14, John the Baptist explained to different people what repentance would look like if it was lived out in their lives.

In the end, all are saved by grace, but then actions are expected as a part of our newly formed allegiance with Christ.

Here’s an old message I preached on repentance if it’s helpful: https://jaminbradley.com/…/repentance-is-the-way-to-jesus/