Repentance Defined: Sorrow vs Turning Away from Sin
The New Testament distinguishes between two Greek terms that clarify what repentance entails. The verb metamelomai denotes a change of mind producing regret or remorse over sin, but not necessarily a change of heart—this word describes Judas's response after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3) [1]. By contrast, metanoia and its cognate verb metanoeo signify true repentance: a change of mind, purpose, and life to which remission of sin is promised [1]. This linguistic distinction reveals that sorrow alone does not constitute biblical repentance.
Godly Sorrow as Catalyst, Not Equivalent
Paul's teaching in 2 Corinthians 7:10 makes the relationship explicit: "godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death" [2]. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown clarifies that sorrow is not itself repentance but "worketh" or contributes to it when the sorrow is godly [6]. Adam Clarke emphasizes that this godly sorrow arises not from being caught or fearing punishment, but from recognizing one has sinned against God [8]. A person may experience sorrow without repenting [8], which explains why worldly sorrow—grief over consequences rather than offense against God—produces death rather than life [3, 6].
The Turn from Sin
True repentance involves turning from sin to God. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines conversion as "the turning of a sinner to God," describing how divine grace changes a person's whole life so that "old things pass away, and all things become new" [5]. Torrey's Topical Textbook identifies repentance with turning from idols to serve the living God (1 Thessalonians 1:9) and setting affections on things above (Colossians 3:2) [4]. This turning is not self-generated; God gives repentance (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25) [4], and Christ is exalted to bestow it (Acts 5:31) [4]. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown notes that repentance in the full sense follows rather than precedes God's turning us to Himself, describing repentance as "the tear that flows from the eye of faith turned to Jesus" [9].
Repentance toward God is distinguished from faith toward Christ in Acts 20:21, where Jamieson-Fausset-Brown explains that repentance arises from discovering one's contrariety to God's righteous demands, with all acknowledgments and compunctions properly directed to Him as the party dishonored by sin [7]. The result is not mere regret but a fundamental reorientation of life away from sin and toward God.
Sources
- 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”
- II Corinthians “II Corinthians 7:10 (ASV) — For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation, a repentance which bringeth no regret: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.”
- 2 Corinthians “2 Corinthians 7:10 (NASB) — For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Repentance — What it is -- Isa 45:22; Mt 6:19-21; Ac 14:15; 2Co 5:17; Col 3:2; 1Th 1:9; Heb 12:1,2. Commanded to all by God -- Eze 18:30-32; Ac 17:30. Commanded by Christ -- Re 2:5,16; 3:3. Given by God -- Ac 11:18; 2Ti 2:25. Christ came to call sinners to -- Mt 9:13. Christ exalted to give -- Ac 5:31. By the operation of the Holy Spirit -- Zec 12:10. Called repentance to life -- Ac 11:18. Called repentance to salvation -- 2Co 7:10. We should be led to, by The long-suffering of God. -- Ge 6:3; 1Pe 3:20; 2Pe 3:9. The goodness of God. -- Ro 2:4. The chastisements of Go”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Conversion — The turning of a sinner to God (Acts 15:3). In a general sense the heathen are said to be "converted" when they abandon heathenism and embrace the Christian faith; and in a more special sense men are converted when, by the influence of divine grace in their souls, their whole life is changed, old things pass away, and all things become new (Acts 26:18). Thus we speak of the conversion of the Philippian jailer (16:19-34), of Paul (9:1-22), of the Ethiopian treasurer (8:26-40), of Cornelius (10), of Lydia (16:13-15), and others. (See [125]REGENERATION.)”
- 2 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Corinthians 7:10: worketh . . . worketh--In the best Greek reading the translation is, "worketh (simply) . . . worketh out." "Sorrow" is not repentance, but, where it is "godly," "worketh" it; that is, contributes or tends to it (the same Greek word is in Rom 13:10). The "sorrow of the world" (that is, such as is felt by the worldly) "worketh out," as its result at last, (eternal) death (the same Greek verb is in Co2 4:17; also see on Co2 4:17). repentance . . . not to be repented of--There is not in the Greek this play on words, so that the word qualified is n”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 20:21: Testifying both to Jews and . . . Greeks--laboring under a common malady, and recoverable only by a common treatment. repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ--(See on Act 5:31). REPENTANCE, as distinguished from faith, is that state of the "honest and good heart" which arises from a discovery of one's contrariety to the righteous demands of the divine law. This is said to be "toward God," because seeing Him to be the party dishonored by sin, it feels all its acknowledgments and compunctions to be properly due to Him, as the great”
- 2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 7:9: Ye sorrowed to repentance - Ye had such a sorrow as produced a complete change of mind and conduct. We see that a man may sorrow, and yet not repent. Made sorry after a godly manner - It was not a sorrow because ye were found out, and thus solemnly reprehended, but a sorrow because ye had sinned against God, and which consideration caused you to grieve more than the apprehension of any punishment. Damage by us in nothing - Your repentance prevented that exercise of my apostolic duty, which would have consigned your bodies to destruction, that your souls might ”
- Jeremiah (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Jeremiah 31:19: after that I was turned, I repented--Repentance in the full sense follows, not precedes, our being turned to God by God (Zac 12:10). The Jews' "looking to Him whom they pierced" shall result in their "mourning for Him." Repentance is the tear that flows from the eye of faith turned to Jesus. He Himself gives it: we give it not of ourselves, but must come to Him for it (Act 5:31). instructed--made to learn by chastisement. God's Spirit often works through the corrections of His providence. smote upon . . . thigh-- (Eze 21:12). A token of indignan”