Role of Sorrow in Biblical Repentance Process

The Role of Sorrow in Biblical Repentance

The biblical concept of repentance is intricately linked with the experience of sorrow, particularly "godly sorrow." one tradition writes in 2 Corinthians 7:10, "For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death" ^[1]. This verse highlights the distinction between two types of sorrow: one that leads to salvation through repentance and another that results in death.

The Greek language uses different terms to denote various forms of repentance. The verb "metamelomai" is associated with regret or remorse but not necessarily a change of heart, as seen in Judas's repentance (Matthew 27:3). In contrast, "metanoeo" and its cognate noun "metanoia" signify a profound change of mind, purpose, and life, promising remission of sin ^[2].

Godly sorrow is characterized as a sorrow that has God for its author, springing from the free grace of God and being a work of the Holy Spirit ^[6]. This type of sorrow is not merely a feeling of remorse but a deep, Spirit-induced conviction that leads to a change of heart and life. According to John Gill, godly sorrow "did not arise from the power of free will, nor from the dictates of a natural conscience, nor from a work of the law on their hearts, or from a fear of hell and damnation, but it sprung from the free grace of God" ^[6].

The biblical narrative frequently references mourning and sorrow in various contexts, including penitential mourning. The Israelites mourned for their sins, as did the Ninevites upon hearing Jonah's message (Jonah 3:5) ^[3]. This kind of sorrow is not limited to personal sin but can also be a communal response to God's judgment and mercy.

The process of repentance involves several key elements, including godly sorrow, confession of sin, and forsaking sin. Torrey's Topical Textbook notes that confession of sin should be accompanied by submission to punishment, prayer for forgiveness, self-abasement, and restitution ^[4]. The connection between sorrow and repentance is underscored by the understanding that true repentance involves a turning away from sin towards God.

Different Christian traditions interpret the role of sorrow in repentance similarly, emphasizing the importance of a genuine, Spirit-led sorrow that results in a changed life. Calvin's commentary on various biblical passages highlights the significance of repentance as a turning to God, facilitated by the Holy Spirit ^[5]. Similarly, Reformed and Presbyterian commentaries on 2 Corinthians 7:10 stress that godly sorrow "worketh repentance unto salvation" ^{[6, 7]}.

The distinction between godly sorrow and worldly sorrow is crucial. While worldly sorrow may lead to despair or death, godly sorrow is oriented towards salvation and restoration. As Adam Clarke notes, "The sorrow of the world worketh death... This sorrow leads to destruction, the other leads to salvation" ^[8].

Sources

2 Corinthians “For godly sorrow works repentance to salvation, which brings no regret. But the sorrow of the world works death. -- 2 Corinthians 7:10”
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”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Mourn — Frequent references are found in Scripture to, (1.) Mourning for the dead. Abraham mourned for Sarah (Gen. 23:2); Jacob for Joseph (37:34, 35); the Egyptians for Jacob (50:3-10); Israel for Aaron (Num. 20:29), for Moses (Deut. 34:8), and for Samuel (1 Sam. 25:1); David for Abner (2 Sam. 3:31, 35); Mary and Martha for Lazarus (John 11); devout men for Stephen (Acts 8:2), etc. (2.) For calamities, Job (1:20, 21; 2:8); Israel (Ex. 33:4); the Ninevites (Jonah 3:5); Israel, when defeated by Benjamin (Judg. 20:26), etc. (3.) Penitential mourning, by the Israelites ”
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 -”
CCEL (Reformed) “Calvin, Commentary on Isaiah, Vol. 2, section 53.2: 64:7 66:24 Jeremiah 4:31 5:8 5:28 7:4 7:4 9:1 10:23 10:24 10:24 11:21 17:1 17:5 18:16 19:6 19:8 22:24 22:28 25:9 25:13 25:18 28:10 28:11 30:11 31:15 43:2 48:2 50:11 Lamentations 1:7 2:5 2:8 3:29 Ezekiel 15:3 16:26 20:11 20:24 20:25 26:2 26:14 37:1 43:15 43:15 47:11 Daniel 5:28 5:30 5:31 7:10 7:17 8:20 Hosea 1:7 6:4 8:14 9:6 13:3 Joel 1:13 2:13 2:23 2:28 Amos 1:3 3:6 4:1 4:1 5:10 5:19 8:11 Micah 1:3 1:11 2:11 7:9 7:16 Nahum 3:8 Habakkuk 2:1 2:1 2:1 2:2 3:2 3:2 3:13 Zechariah 9:14 13:4 14:3 Malachi 1:4 1:11 4:2 Matthew 2:14 3:12 3:12 3:12 3:12 ”
2 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation,.... These words contain a reason, proving that they had received no damage, but profit by the sorrow that had possessed them, from the nature of it, a "godly" sorrow; a sorrow which had God for its author; it did not arise from the power of free will, nor from the dictates of a natural conscience, nor from a work of the law on their hearts, or from a fear of hell and damnation, but it sprung from the free grace of God; it was a gift of his grace, the work of his Spirit, and the produce of his almighty power; b”
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”
2 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 2 Corinthians 7:10: For godly sorrow - That which has the breach of God's holy law for its object. Worketh repentance - A thorough change of mind unto salvation, because the person who feels it cannot rest till he finds pardon through the mercy of God. But the sorrow of the world worketh death - Sorrow for lost goods, lost friends, death of relatives, etc., when it is poignant and deep, produces diseases, increases those that already exist, and often leads men to lay desperate hands on themselves. This sorrow leads to destruction, the other leads to salvation; the one leads to h”

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