Role of Repentance in the Process of Redemption
Redemption in Scripture centers on the purchase back of what was lost through the payment of a ransom, specifically Christ's blood [1, 5, 7]. The New Testament term apolutrōsis consistently carries the idea of a price paid, a lutron, as seen in Christ's declaration that he came "to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28; Mark 10:45) [1]. Paul identifies this redemption with "the remission of sins" through Christ's blood [5, 7], and Romans 3:25 presents Christ as the atoning sacrifice "through faith in his blood" [6]. The objective work of redemption—accomplished on the cross—secures deliverance from sin's power, the law's curse, and the bondage of iniquity [8].
Repentance, however, functions as the human response by which this accomplished redemption becomes personally effective. The Greek metanoeō and its cognate metanoia denote not mere regret (metamelomai, as with Judas) but a genuine change of mind, purpose, and life [2]. This transformation involves turning from enmity toward God to full confidence and love, what Easton's describes as reconciliation—a mutual change wrought in both parties [4]. Scripture commands repentance universally (Acts 17:30, Ezekiel 18:30-32) [3], and Christ himself came to call sinners to it (Matthew 9:13) [3]. The exalted Christ gives repentance (Acts 5:31) [3], and it is wrought by the Holy Spirit's operation (Zechariah 12:10) [3]. The New Testament calls this "repentance to life" (Acts 11:18) and "repentance to salvation" (2 Corinthians 7:10) [3], indicating that while redemption is objectively secured by Christ's death, its subjective application requires this Spirit-given turning.
The relationship is not one of merit but of appropriation. Redemption is "by Christ" and "by the blood of Christ" [8]—the work is finished. Yet the Gospel ministry proclaims both "repentance and remission of sins" together [10], because repentance is the posture in which forgiveness is received. One commentary notes that repentance is "the key to receiving salvation" [9], not as a work that earns redemption but as the divinely granted means by which the sinner ceases resistance and embraces the reconciliation God offers. God's goodness, long-suffering, and chastisements are all designed to lead sinners to repentance (Romans 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9) [3], demonstrating that even the capacity to repent flows from God's redemptive initiative. Christ is "made redemption" to believers (1 Corinthians 1:30) [8], and that redemption encompasses both the objective ransom paid and the subjective transformation wrought when the Spirit grants repentance.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Redemption — The purchase back of something that had been lost, by the payment of a ransom. The Greek word so rendered is apolutrosis, a word occurring nine times in Scripture, and always with the idea of a ransom or price paid, i.e., redemption by a lutron (see Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45). There are instances in the LXX. Version of the Old Testament of the use of lutron in man's relation to man (Lev. 19:20; 25:51; Ex. 21:30; Num. 35:31, 32; Isa. 45:13; Prov. 6:35), and in the same sense of man's relation to God (Num. 3:49; 18:15). There are many passages in the New Tes”
- 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”
- 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: 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”
- Colossians “Colossians 1:14 (DRC) — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins:”
- Romans “whom God sent to be an atoning sacrifice, through faith in his blood, for a demonstration of his righteousness through the passing over of prior sins, in God’s forbearance; -- Romans 3:25”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 1:7 (DRC) — In whom we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his, grace,”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Redemption — Defined -- 1Co 6:20; 7:23. Is of God -- Isa 44:21-23; 43:1; Lu 1:68. Is by Christ -- Mt 20:28; Ga 3:13. Is by the blood of Christ -- Ac 20:28; Heb 9:12; 1Pe 1:19; Re 5:9. Christ sent to effect -- Ga 4:4,5. Christ is made, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Is from The bondage of the law. -- Ga 4:5. The curse of the law. -- Ga 3:13. The power of sin. -- Ro 6:18,22. The power of the grave. -- Ps 49:15. All troubles. -- Ps 25:22. All iniquity. -- Ps 130:8; Tit 2:14. All evil. -- Ge 48:16. The present evil world. -- Ga 1:4. Vain conversation. -- 1Pe 1:18. Enemies. -- Ps 106”
- Lamentations (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Lamentations 3:40: 3:40-42 Repentance is the key to receiving salvation (Isa 1:27; Jer 3:22; Ezek 3:21).”
- Luke (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Luke 24:44: And that repentance and remission of sins,.... Which are the sum of the Gospel ministry; see Act 20:21 the doctrine of "repentance" is not of the law, which neither requires, nor admits of it, but of the Gospel. The Persic version calls it, "the Gospel of repentance"; a doctrine preached by John the Baptist, Christ, and his apostles; and the thing itself is a blessing of the covenant, a gift of God's grace, and in the hands of Christ to bestow; and therefore the doctrine of it is published in his name, as well as remission of sins; which, though it springs from the fre”