Fruits of Repentance in the Context of Church Meetings
The concept of "fruits of repentance" refers to actions and behaviors that demonstrate a genuine change of mind and purpose, following a recognition of sin [5]. John the Baptist exhorted those coming to him for baptism to "Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance" (Matthew 3:8 KJV) [1]. This means producing fruit that is appropriate for, or befitting, true repentance [6].
Biblically, "fruit" can refer to the produce of the land or trees [2]. In a metaphorical sense, it signifies the outcome or result of a particular state or action. Just as a tree is known by its fruit, repentance is known by good works that follow it [7]. These actions serve as evidence of the sincerity of one's repentance [7]. The Apostle Paul similarly speaks of the "fruit of the Spirit," contrasting it with the "works of the flesh," indicating that a changed heart produces a different kind of life [8].
The Greek word metanoeo, and its cognate noun metanoia, are used in the New Testament to describe this true repentance, which involves a change of mind, purpose, and life, and is linked to the remission of sin [5]. Such fruits are not merely regret or remorse, which are associated with the Greek word metamelomai (as seen in Judas's repentance), but a fundamental shift in one's disposition and conduct [5].
In the context of church meetings, the "fruits of repentance" would manifest as tangible changes in behavior and attitude among believers. This could include a desire for reconciliation, a turning away from past sins, and an active pursuit of righteous living [4, 7]. The offering of "first fruits" in the Old Testament, which were to be the very best and holy to the Lord, provides an analogy for the quality of the "fruits" expected from a repentant heart [3]. These fruits are not merely internal feelings but external demonstrations that are observable and reflect a transformed life [7].
Sources
- King James Version “[KJV] Matthew 3:8 — Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Fruits — The produce of corn, & c -- De 22:9; Ps 107:37. The produce of trees -- Ge 1:29; Ec 2:5. Called the Fruit of the ground. -- Ge 4:3; Jer 7:20. Fruit of the earth. -- Isa 4:2. Increase of the land. -- Ps 85:12. Given by God -- Ac 14:17. Preserved to us by God -- Mal 3:11. Require A fruitful land. -- Ps 107:31. Rain from heaven. -- Ps 104:13; Jas 5:18. Influence of the sun and moon. -- De 33:14. Produced in their due seasons -- Mt 21:41. First of, devoted to God -- De 26:2. Divided into Hasty or precocious. -- Isa 28:4. Summer fruits. -- 2Sa 16:1. New and old. ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: First Fruits, The — To be brought to God's house -- Ex 34:26. Different kinds of Barley harvest. -- Le 23:10-14. Wheat harvest. -- Ex 23:16; Le 23:16,17. Wine and oil. -- De 18:4. Wool. -- De 18:4. Honey. -- 2Ch 31:5. Fruit of new trees in fourth year. -- Le 19:23,24. All agricultural produce. -- De 26:2. To be the very best of their kind -- Nu 18:12. Holy to the Lord -- Eze 48:14. God honoured by the offering of -- Pr 3:9. Offering of, consecrated the whole -- Ro 11:16. To be offered Without delay. -- Ex 22:29. In a basket. -- De 26:2. With thanksgiving. -- De 26:3-”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Reconcilation — A change from enmity to friendship. It is mutual, i.e., it is a change wrought in both parties who have been at enmity. (1.) In Col. 1:21, 22, the word there used refers to a change wrought in the personal character of the sinner who ceases to be an enemy to God by wicked works, and yields up to him his full confidence and love. In 2 Cor. 5:20 the apostle beseeches the Corinthians to be "reconciled to God", i.e., to lay aside their enmity. (2.) Rom. 5:10 refers not to any change in our disposition toward God, but to God himself, as the party reconcile”
- 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”
- Matthew (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Matthew 3:8: Bring forth therefore fruits--the true reading clearly is "fruit"; meet for repentance--that is, such fruit as befits a true penitent. John now being gifted with a knowledge of the human heart, like a true minister of righteousness and lover of souls here directs them how to evidence and carry out their repentance, supposing it genuine; and in the following verses warns them of their danger in case it were not.”
- Matthew (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Matthew 3:8: Bring forth therefore fruits,.... That is, if you are truly penitent, if you have a proper sense of sin, and true repentance for it, do such works as are suitable to it, and will show the genuineness of it; for fruits meet for repentance are the same as "works meet for repentance", Act 26:20 and as a tree is known by its fruit, so repentance is known by good works; these are the fruits and effects of repentance, and which are proofs with men of the sincerity of it. Those which follow upon evangelical repentance are such as are mentioned in Co2 7:11. Now let it be ob”
- Galatians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Galatians 5:22: But the fruit of the Spirit - Both flesh - the sinful dispositions of the human heart and spirit - the changed or purified state of the soul, by the grace and Spirit of God, are represented by the apostle as trees, one yielding good the other bad fruit; the productions of each being according to the nature of the tree, as the tree is according to the nature of the seed from which it sprung. The bad seed produced a bad tree, yielding all manner of bad fruit; the good seed produced a good tree, bringing forth fruits of the most excellent kind. The tree of the flesh”