WHAT REPENTANCE MEANS

In Peter’s day, Jewish people spoke both Hebrew and Greek. In both languages the words conveying the idea of “repentance” refer to a change, a change in one’s mind, attitude or purpose.

For example, the Greek term me·ta·no·eʹo is formed of two words: me·taʹ, meaning “after,” and no·eʹo, related to nous, which means the mind, disposition or moral consciousness. So me·ta·no·eʹo literally means afterthought (in contrast to forethought). It is somewhat like our expression ‘to have second thoughts’ about a matter, those later thoughts bringing a change in our attitude. Often that change is accompanied by, or impelled by, a feeling of regret, remorse, dissatisfaction or even disgust over the matter about which we have ‘second thoughts.’

The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (Vol. IV, p. 979) points this out, stating that “repentance” (me·taʹnoi·a) among the ancient Greeks “never suggests an alteration in the total moral attitude, a profound change in life’s direction, a conversion which affects the whole of conduct.”

Oh, those Greeks might “repent” (me·ta·no·eʹo) of a certain deed, speech, plan or project, rejecting such as unsatisfactory or regrettable. They might even go before the statue of one of their gods and express remorse about the matter.