Scripture stresses the necessity of repentance from sin if individuals and communities are to have full fellowship with God. It also uses the term to refer to God's relenting of sending judgment on his people, usually in response to human repentance.
Repentance is a requirement for fellowship with God
2 Kings 17:13; 1 Thessalonians 1:9 See also Psalm 34:14; Isaiah 55:7; Acts 14:15; James 4:7–10
Yet through all His prophets and seers, the LORD warned Israel and Judah, saying, “Turn from your wicked ways and keep My commandments and statutes, according to the entire Law that I commanded your fathers and delivered to you through My servants the prophets.”
For they themselves report what kind of welcome you gave us, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God
Repentance involves turning from sin
Sorrow for sin
Psalm 51:17; 2 Corinthians 7:8–10 See also Job 42:6; Psalm 34:18; Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2; Joel 2:12–13; Luke 18:13
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Although I did regret it— for I see that my letter caused you sorrow, but only for a short time— yet now I rejoice, not because you were made sorrowful, but because your sorrow led you to repentance. For you felt the sorrow that God had intended, and so were not harmed in any way by us. Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation without regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.
Confession of sin
Luke 15:17–19 See also Leviticus 5:5; Psalm 51:1–3; Proverbs 28:13; Hosea 14:1–2
Finally he came to his senses and said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have plenty of food, but here I am, starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Make me like one of your hired servants.”’
Forsaking specific sins
Ezra 10:10–11; Ezekiel 14:6; Acts 15:19–20
Making appropriate restitution
Repentance involves turning to God
Faith in God
Isaiah 30:15 See also Luke 22:32; Acts 11:21, Acts 20:21, Acts 26:18
For the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel, has said: “By repentance and rest you would be saved; your strength would lie in quiet confidence — but you were not willing.”
Obedience
Ezekiel 18:21–23 See also Malachi 3:7–10
But if the wicked man turns from all the sins he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die. None of the transgressions he has committed will be held against him. Because of the righteousness he has practiced, he will live. Do I take any pleasure in the death of the wicked? declares the Lord GOD. Wouldn’t I prefer that he turn from his ways and live?
Repentance demonstrated by actions
Acts 26:20 See also Isaiah 1:16–17; Daniel 4:27; Matthew 3:8 parallel Luke 3:8; Luke 3:10–14
First to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, then to everyone in the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I declared that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds worthy of their repentance.
Repentance must be sincere
Jeremiah 3:10, Jeremiah 24:7 See also 1 Kings 8:46–50 parallel 2 Chronicles 6:36–39; Psalm 78:34–37; Hosea 6:1–4
Yet in spite of all this, her unfaithful sister Judah did not return to Me with all her heart, but only in pretense,” declares the LORD.
I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart.
The repentance of God
Jeremiah 26:3 See also Exodus 32:14; Psalm 106:45; Hosea 11:8; Joel 2:13; Amos 7:1–6
Perhaps they will listen and turn— each from his evil way of life— so that I may relent of the disaster I am planning to bring upon them because of the evil of their deeds.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.