Meditating on 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 – Repentance

I’m studying one of the many passages that I will be preaching from on the street this week (along with the Law & the Gospel).

Perhaps a lack of understanding and application of 2 Cor. 7:9-10 is one of the biggest problems among today’s unbiblical churchianity?

Many ‘professing’ Christians today are continually ‘repeating’ their sins, rather than continually ‘repenting,’ while ‘turning from their sin.’ My friends, there is no salvation without repentance. There is a worldly sorrow (or worldly repentance), and there’s a Biblical repentance that is a fruit of salvation (i.e. Mark 1:15, Acts 3:19, 17:30, 26:20). As I’ve said before, ‘repentance is not the ‘cause’ of
salvation, repentance is ‘because’ of salvation.’

“Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.” – 2 Corinthians 7:9-10

In verse 9, these words, being ‘sorry’ or ‘sorrowful’ of sin, are the worldly repentance. This is the Greek word lupeō (λυπέω), which is applicable to being sorry that you got caught, or you’re sorrowful of the consequences, etcetera. Though he may “believe,” it can be evidence of a possible ‘false convert,’ and hell will be full of them (Matt 7:21-23).

As John Trapp said,

That ye sorrowed to repentance to a transmentation, to a thorough change both of the mind and manners. Optima et aptissima poenitentia est nova vita, saith Luther. Which saying (though condemned by Pope Leo X) is certainly an excellent saying. Repentance for sin is nothing without repentance from sin. If though repent with a contradiction (saith Tertullian) God will pardon thee, and yet end thee to hell. There is a pardon with a contradiction.

Trapp’s Commentary on the New Testament (Michigan: Baker Book House, 1981) 564.

But the ‘Godly sorrow’ in vs 10 is the Greek word lupē (λύπη), which is a Biblical sorrow that comes from salvation, and to a Biblical repentance. It is an evidence of regeneration (a truly saved convert).

Though there’s a thin line between the similarities of appearance of these two words, lupeō and lupē. But their eternal destination is far from each other.

Though knowledge is not salvific, but once a person is truly saved by grace through faith in Christ (Eph 2:7-9), they are commanded to grow in knowledge, lest they fall…

“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.” – 2 Peter 3:17-18

So, what is a Biblical repentance?

Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”

This word “repent” is the Greek word metanoeō. It is a verb and double augment, which will increase over time. That is why I often say, repent more and repeat sin less, though we will never be sinless.

As gleaned from my BDAG and Thayers Lexicons. This repent means to change one’s mind. ‘To change one’ s mind for the better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one’s past sins. To think differently or afterwards, i.e., reconsider (morally, feel compunction).’

And when God changes our mind, we change our mind about who God is (Theology proper), and who we are (a Biblical anthropology). God’s elect will now have a high view of God and a lower view of man. That God is good, righteous, holy and just. And man is sinful, bad, and wicked, that none of us are good. I now I see my sins as being worse than a felony crime against God. And that Gods monergistic salvation by grace will cause the new convert to turn away from their sins, while thrusting and trusting ourselves upon Christ. This repentance is the same repentance that God commands.

“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” – Acts 17:30

Who is it that Biblically repents? Gods elect are the ones who Biblically repent, and it is God who grants them repentance along with their faith (2 Timothy 2:25).

Father, thank You for saving a knucklehead like me, Christ, thank You for justifying me by faith alone in You alone, and Holy Spirit, please continue to grant me more repentance and discernment.

Below is another teaching on a Biblical repentance.

A must see sermon on a true Bible repentance, by Don Green, M.Div.