Confession of Past Sins After Genuine Repentance and Restoration
Confession of past sins, even after an initial experience of repentance and restoration, is a recurring theme in biblical teaching, emphasizing ongoing accountability and the nature of God's forgiveness. The Old Testament law explicitly required confession for sins committed, often alongside restitution [1, 5]. For instance, Numbers 5:7 states that one who has sinned "shall confess his sin which he has done, and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full." This demonstrates an early understanding that confession is a necessary component of addressing wrongdoing.
In the New Testament, the concept of repentance (Greek metanoia) signifies a change of mind, purpose, and life, to which the remission of sin is promised [3, 4]. This true repentance is distinct from mere regret or remorse (metamelomai), as seen in the example of Judas [3]. The apostle John emphasizes the ongoing need for confession among believers: "If we say openly that we have done wrong, he is upright and true to his word, giving us forgiveness of sins and making us clean from all evil" (1 John 1:9 BBE) [2]. This verse suggests that even after conversion, believers may commit actual sins, and denying this makes God a liar [10]. John Gill notes that this confession is primarily to God, against whom the sin was committed, rather than necessarily to other people, unless the sin was directly against them [12].
Confession is often linked with other spiritual disciplines. Torrey's Topical Textbook lists several elements that should accompany confession, including submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, godly sorrow, and forsaking sin [5]. Restitution, as mentioned in Numbers 5:7, is also highlighted as a necessary component [5]. The act of confession is seen as a means by which God regards and responds to the sinner, leading to pardon [5].
The broader theological context for this ongoing confession lies in the understanding of sin and God's character. All human beings are born with a sinful nature, and while the godly fight against it, the wicked indulge it [7]. Sin is described as rebellion and an insolent attitude against God [8]. God's anger is a necessary response to sin, not a spontaneous emotional outburst [9]. Forgiveness of sin, a constituent part of justification, involves God absolving the sinner from condemnation due to Christ's work, removing the guilt of sin [6]. This forgiveness is freely offered to all in the gospel [6]. Therefore, continued confession acknowledges the reality of sin in a believer's life and appeals to God's ongoing provision of cleansing and forgiveness through Christ [2, 11].
Sources
- Numbers “then he shall confess his sin which he has done, and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, and add to it the fifth part of it, and give it to him in respect of whom he has been guilty. -- Numbers 5:7”
- I John “I John 1:9 (BBE) — If we say openly that we have done wrong, he is upright and true to his word, giving us forgiveness of sins and making us clean from all evil.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: 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 (Matt. 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”
- Acts “Acts 3:19 (BSB) — Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Confession of Sin — God requires -- Le 5:5; Ho 5:15. God regards -- Job 33:27,28; Da 9:20-23. Exhortation to -- Jos 7:19; Jer 3:13; Jas 5:16. Promises to -- Le 26:40-42; Pr 28:13. Should be accompanied with Submission to punishment. -- Le 26:41; Ne 9:33; Ezr 9:13. Prayer for forgiveness. -- 2Sa 24:10; Ps 25:11; 51:1; Jer 14:7-9,20. Self-abasement. -- Isa 64:5,6; Jer 3:25. Godly sorrow. -- Ps 38:18; La 1:20. Forsaking sin. -- Pr 28:13. Restitution. -- Nu 5:6,7. Should be full and unreserved -- Ps 32:5; 51:3; 106:6. Followed by pardon -- Ps 32:5; 1Jo 1:9. Illustrated -”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Forgiveness of sin — One of the constituent parts of justification. In pardoning sin, God absolves the sinner from the condemnation of the law, and that on account of the work of Christ, i.e., he removes the guilt of sin, or the sinner's actual liability to eternal wrath on account of it. All sins are forgiven freely (Acts 5:31; 13:38; 1 John 1:6-9). The sinner is by this act of grace for ever freed from the guilt and penalty of his sins. This is the peculiar prerogative of God (Ps. 130:4; Mark 2:5). It is offered to all in the gospel. (See [219]JUSTIFICATION.)”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins,.... Not to one other; for though it is our duty to confess our faults to our fellow creatures and fellow Christians which are committed against them, yet are under no obligation to confess such as are more immediately against God, and which lie between him and ourselves; or at least it is sufficient to confess and acknowledge in general what sinful creatures we are, without entering into particulars; for confession of sin is to be made to God, against whom it is committed, and who only can pardon: and a man that truly confesses his sin is one th”