REPENTANCE ｜ 悔改

ENREPENTANCE. Two original words of the New Testament, widely diverse in their meaning, are translated by the English word Repent or Repentance. I. One word, used only seven times and in verbal form, is metamelomai. It signifies "after care"—that is, painful sorrow or remorseful regret. As nearly as possible it is the exact equivalent of the word Repent or Repentance. Thus Matt. 27:3. Then Judas, which had betrayed Him, when he saw that He was condemned, repented himself (metameletheis)—that is, remorsefully regretted his act of betrayal. Repentance is simply re-penitence: penitence, from poena (pain with conscious liability to punishment), carries the idea of grief over a regretted and punishable act; re-penitence is looking again, or back, with sorrow for that which has been wrong. Metamelomai, says Dr. Alexander Roberts, means simply to rue or regret a course that has been followed. II. But the common New Testament word, used more than fifty times, is METANOIA, or metanoeo. This is one of the most significant and vital words of Inspiration—one of immense breadth in its meaning and in its relations. In its true significance there is absolutely no trace of sorrow or regret, no single element contained in the word Repentance; hence its translation by that word has been, from the first until now, an utter mistranslation. For the perpetuation of this grave error the sole excuse of the Revisers is that no other single word can fully or rightly interpret metanoia. Literally, the word signifies change of mind—a change in the trend and action of the whole inner nature (intellectual, affectional and moral) of the man; a reversal of his controlling estimates and judgments, desires and affections, choices and pursuits; involving a radical revolution in his supreme life-aims, purposes and objects.

BSBActs 3:19 Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,

中悔改。新约中有两个含义迥然不同的原文词，都被译成英文的 repent（悔改）或 repentance（悔改）。一、其中一个词只出现七次，且都是动词形式，即 metamelomai。它的字面意思是『事后的挂虑』——也就是痛苦的懊丧或悔恨的追悔。它几乎可以说正好等同于英文的 repent／repentance。例如马太福音 27:3 —— 这时候，卖耶稣的犹大看见耶稣已经定了罪，就后悔（metameletheis）——也就是懊悔自己出卖的行为。repentance 一词无非就是『再一次痛悔』：penitence（痛悔）出自拉丁文 poena（自知该受刑罚的痛苦），含有为一件追悔莫及、理应受罚之事而忧伤的意思；re-penitence 就是回头再看一眼那已做错的事而心中忧伤。罗伯茨（Alexander Roberts）博士说，metamelomai 无非就是为已走过的一条路而懊悔、追悔。二、但新约常用的那个词——出现五十余次——是 METANOIA（动词 metanoeo）。这是圣灵默示之词中最重要、最关键的词之一；无论就其含义还是就其关联而言，都极为宽广。就其真正的含义而言，其中绝无一丝忧伤或追悔的痕迹，完全不含 repentance 一词中的任何成分；因此，用那个词来翻译它，从起初到如今都是彻头彻尾的误译。修订者们让这一重大错误延续下来，唯一的托辞是：再没有别的单个词能完整而正确地传达 metanoia。按字面，这个词的意思是『心思的转变』——是人整个内在本性（理智、情感与道德）在趋向与运作上的转变；是他那些主宰性的评估与判断、欲望与情感、抉择与追求的整个翻转；其中包含他人生最高目标、心志与对象的一场根本性革命。

ENTrench says: "Metanoia expresses that mighty change in mind, heart and life wrought by the Spirit of God." De Quincey: "Metanoia concealed a most profound meaning of prodigious compass, which bore no allusion to any ideas whatever of repentance . . . It expresses a revolution of thought, a great intellectual change in the accepting a new centre for all moral truth from Christ." Bishop Westcott: "The word describes characteristically, in the language of the New Testament, a general change of mind, which becomes in its fullest development an intellectual and moral regeneration." Chalmers: "It describes that deep and radical change whereby a sinner turns from the idols of sin and self unto God, and devotes every movement of the inner and outer man to the captivity of His obedience." The distinctive meaning of the two words is illustrated in 2 Cor. 7:8-10. Verse 8: I do not repent (metamelomai—I do not regret it). Verse 9: Ye sorrowed to repentance (unto metanoia). Verse 10: For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of (that is, sorrow toward God produces metanoia unto salvation, which is not itself to be regretted—ametameleton). This metanoia, this radical reversal of life-controlling thoughts, affections, choices and pursuits, is the great theme of New Testament preaching, the high call and imperative demand of God. (Note that this demand, like all others, has behind it God's pledge of help and assurance of success.) It was the only theme of the Forerunner, John the Baptist: Matt. 3:2. Repent ye (change your whole inner being and life): for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Mark 1:4. John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Matt. 3:8, 11. Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me . . . shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. It was the first utterance of Christ: Matt. 4:17. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent (take another mind upon you): for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. To this injunction, also at the very outset, Christ added the demand of faith, thus summing up all that God asks of man: Mark 1:14, 15. Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

BSBMark 1:15 “The time is fulfilled,” He said, “and the kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe in the gospel!”

中特伦奇（Trench）说：『metanoia 表达的是圣灵在人心思、心灵与生命中所作的那场大变。』德昆西（De Quincey）说：『metanoia 里藏着一个极深邃、幅度惊人的意义，与任何『懊悔』的观念全然无涉……它表达的是思想的一场革命，是理智上的巨变——即从基督那里接受一个新的中心，作为一切道德真理的中心。』韦斯科特主教（Bishop Westcott）说：『在新约的语言中，这个词典型地描述一种全面的心思转变；这转变在其最充分的展开中，就成为理智与道德上的重生。』查麦斯（Chalmers）说：『它描述的是那深切而根本的转变：罪人由此离弃罪与自我的偶像归向神，并把内在与外在之人的每一个动作都交出去，服在他的顺服之下。』两词意义的分别，可在哥林多后书 7:8-10 中看得分明。第 8 节：我并不后悔（metamelomai——我不追悔）。第 9 节：你们从忧愁中生出懊悔来（εἰς metanoia，以致心思转变）。第 10 节：因为依着神的意思忧愁，就生出没有后悔的懊悔来，以致得救（也就是说：向着神的忧伤产生出以致得救的 metanoia，而这 metanoia 本身是不必追悔的——ametameleton）。这 metanoia——主宰生命之思想、情感、抉择与追求的根本翻转——正是新约讲道的重大主题，是神崇高的呼召与不容推诿的要求。（要注意：这项要求与其他一切要求一样，背后都有神应许相助、保证成功的凭据。）它是先锋施洗约翰唯一的主题：马太福音 3:2 —— 天国近了，你们应当悔改（改变你们整个内在的存在与生活）。马可福音 1:4 —— 照这话，约翰来了，在旷野施洗，传悔改的洗礼，使罪得赦。3:8, 11 —— 你们要结出果子来，与悔改的心相称。我是用水给你们施洗，叫你们悔改；但那在我以后来的……他要用圣灵与火给你们施洗。这也是基督开口的头一句话：马太福音 4:17 —— 从那时候耶稣就传起道来，说：天国近了，你们应当悔改（要换上另一个心思）。而且同样在最起初，基督在这一命令之外又加上了『信』的要求，如此便把神向人所要的一切总括起来：马可福音 1:14-15 —— 耶稣来到加利利，宣传神的福音，说：日期满了，神的国近了。你们当悔改，信福音。

ENMetanoia was emphasized by the Twelve and by Christ: Mark 6:12. And they went out, and preached that men should repent. Luke 13:3, 5. Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 15:7. Likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. Acts 2:38. Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 17:30. But now commandeth all men every where to repent. 2 Pet. 3:9. Not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Metanoia and faith were the theme of Paul: Acts 20:21. Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 26:20. That they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance. The Old Testament gospel of the psalmists and prophets expresses the same demand of God for trust or faith, and for turning back, or change of heart and life. This suggests the close relation of metanoia and conversion. The words convert and conversion in the old version (Gr. epistrepho) carry the simple meaning of turning about or back, or returning unto; they plainly express the effect of the metanoia, or change of mind—the actual turning back to God. The two are linked: Acts 3:19. Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out. The Old Testament is in harmony with the New as to the meaning of both metanoia and epistrepho: Ezek. 18:30-32. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions . . . Make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die? Wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Ezek. 14:6. Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols. Isa. 55:7. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him.

BSBActs 26:20 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.

中metanoia 也是十二使徒与基督所着重的：马可福音 6:12 —— 门徒就出去传道，叫人悔改。路加福音 13:3, 5 —— 你们若不悔改，都要如此灭亡。15:7 —— 一个罪人悔改，在天上也要这样为他欢喜。使徒行传 2:38 —— 你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗。17:30 —— 如今却吩咐各处的人都要悔改。彼得后书 3:9 —— 不愿有一人沉沦，乃愿人人都悔改。metanoia 与信心是保罗的主题：使徒行传 20:21 —— 又对犹太人和希腊人证明当向神悔改，信靠我主耶稣基督。26:20 —— 叫他们悔改归向神，行事与悔改的心相称。旧约中诗人与先知所传的福音，同样表达了神这两项要求：信靠（信心）与回转（心与生命的转变）。这就提示了 metanoia 与『归正』之间的密切关系。旧译本中的 convert／conversion（希腊文 epistrepho）意思很单纯：转过身来、转回去、归回某处；它们明白地表达了 metanoia（心思转变）所产生的效果——实际转身归向神。二者是连在一起的：使徒行传 3:19 —— 所以你们当悔改归正，使你们的罪得以涂抹。旧约在 metanoia 与 epistrepho 二词的含义上与新约是一致的：以西结书 18:30-32 —— 你们当回头离开所犯的一切罪过……你们当自作一个新心和新灵。以色列家啊，你们何必死亡呢？所以你们当回头而存活。14:6 —— 你们当回头离开你们的偶像，转脸莫从你们一切可憎的事。以赛亚书 55:7 —— 恶人当离弃自己的道路，不义的人当除掉自己的意念，归向耶和华，耶和华就必怜恤他。

ENMetanoia and the Holy Spirit—the human and the Divine agency. There is always the responsive act or work of the Holy Spirit, imparting needful efficacy to man's desire and purpose in change of mind: Jer. 31:18, 19. Turn Thou me, and I shall be turned; for Thou art the Lord my God. Surely after that I was turned, I repented. Ezek. 11:19, 20. And I will put a new spirit within you. Ps. 51:10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Rom. 12:2. Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind. 2 Tim. 2:25. If God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth. In this connection may well be recalled the ancient Christian prayer, "Demand what Thou wilt, but give what Thou demandest!"—and the corresponding fact that God's call to any action is itself a prophecy and pledge of the ability for its performance, to be given by Himself. Metanoia and godly sorrow, or penitence for sin: 2 Cor. 7:10. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation. Evidently sorrow for sin, as against God's authority and law, must precede any change in the soul's estimates, feelings and action with reference to God, and, more than any other human cause, leads to that change. Illustration: Acts 2:37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said . . . Men and brethren, what shall we do? Metanoia and confession of sin—penitent confession includes renunciation of evil-doing and the substitution of good: Hos. 14:1-3. O Israel, return unto the Lord thy God; for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity. Isa. 1:16, 17. Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before Mine eyes; cease to do evil; learn to do well. Luke 19:8. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor. Metanoia and remission of sins: Luke 24:47. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations. Acts 2:38. Repent, and be baptized . . . for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. The supreme motive to metanoia: Rom. 2:4. Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance. 2 Cor. 5:14, 15. For the love of Christ constraineth us . . . and that He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for them, and rose again. Signal illustrations of metanoia: (1) Adam's fall—a metanoia from holiness to sin, involving a calamitous change of life and destiny for himself and his race; (2) Manasseh; (3) Paul: Acts 26:19, 20. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision.

BSBRomans 2:4 Or do you disregard the riches of His kindness, tolerance, and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness leads you to repentance?

中metanoia 与圣灵——人的作为与神的作为。圣灵总有其相应的作为或工作，把必要的效力赐给人在心思转变上的愿望与心志：耶利米书 31:18-19 —— 求你使我回转，我便回转，因为你是耶和华我的神。我回转以后就真正懊悔。以西结书 11:19-20 —— 我要将新灵放在他们里面。诗篇 51:10 —— 神啊，求你为我造清洁的心，使我里面重新有正直的灵。罗马书 12:2 —— 只要心意更新而变化。提摩太后书 2:25 —— 或者神给他们悔改的心，可以明白真道。在此不妨重温那句古老的基督徒祷文：『你尽管要求你所愿的，只求你把你所要求的赐下来！』——以及与之相应的事实：神对任何行动的呼召，本身就是一项预言与凭据，表明他必亲自赐下履行的能力。metanoia 与敬虔的忧伤（为罪痛悔）：哥林多后书 7:10 —— 因为依着神的意思忧愁，就生出没有后悔的懊悔来，以致得救。显然，人因罪冒犯神的权柄与律法而忧伤，必先于灵魂在对神的评估、感受与行动上的任何转变；而且比任何其他属人的原因都更能引出那转变。例证：使徒行传 2:37 —— 众人听见这话，觉得扎心，就对彼得和其余的使徒说：弟兄们，我们当怎样行？metanoia 与认罪——痛悔的认罪包含弃绝恶行、并以善行取而代之：何西阿书 14:1-3 —— 以色列啊，你要归向耶和华你的神；你是因自己的罪孽跌倒了。以赛亚书 1:16-17 —— 你们要洗濯、自洁，从我眼前除掉你们的恶行，要止住作恶，学习行善。路加福音 19:8 —— 撒该站着对主说：主啊，我把所有的一半给穷人。metanoia 与罪得赦免：路加福音 24:47 —— 并且人要奉他的名传悔改、赦罪的道，从耶路撒冷起直传到万邦。使徒行传 2:38 —— 你们各人要悔改，奉耶稣基督的名受洗，叫你们的罪得赦，就必领受所赐的圣灵。促成 metanoia 的最高动力：罗马书 2:4 —— 岂不晓得他的恩慈是领你悔改呢？哥林多后书 5:14-15 —— 原来基督的爱激励我们……他替众人死，是叫那些活着的人不再为自己活，乃为替他们死而复活的主活。metanoia 的显著例证：（1）亚当的堕落——一次由圣洁转向罪的『心思转变』，为他自己与他的族类带来生命与命运的灾难性改变；（2）玛拿西；（3）保罗：使徒行传 26:19-20 —— 亚基帕王啊，我故此没有违背那从天上来的异象。