A Study Example: Repentance

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

Hebrews 6:2
Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

Define terms:

Question: What does the word 'repentance' mean?

Study Step #1

  • Find the Concordance Tab
  • Search the New Testament verse: Hebrews 6:1
  • Click the orange 'toggle' icon to unhide the Strong's numbers
  • Copy & Paste this verse into My Notes

    Hebrews 6:1 Therefore G1352 leaving G863 (5631) the principles G746 of the doctrine G3056 of Christ G5547, let us go on G5342 (5747) unto G1909 perfection G5047; not G3361 laying G2598 (5734) again G3825 the foundation G2310 of repentance G3341 from G575 dead G3498 works G2041, and G2532 of faith G4102 toward G1909 God G2316,

Question: Can we better define 'repentance' by its word family relationships?

Study Step #2

  • Go to the Greek Roots tab
  • Enter in the search box: 3341

    Sample Questions:

    1. What is the Root, (blue labeled) word of 'repentance',( G3341)?
      List all the ways this Root is translated.
    2. What is the Secondary (red labeled) branch?
      List all the ways the Secondary branch is translated.
    3. Are there any other sub-branches connected to our word 'repentance'.
      List these sub-branches and how they are translated.
    4. Can you define the word 'repentance' using some of the family words?
      Write a summary of the origin and development of the word 'repentance'

Collect Scriptures

We now have defined the word 'repentance' by Scriptural word relationships. Now we will take a look at how the Lord uses this word in the Scriptures.

Question: Where are all the places the word Repentance, G3341, is found in the Scriptures?

Study Step #3

  • Go to the Concordance Tab
  • Enter 3341.
  • Select G3341 (Greek 3341)

  • Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

    Matthew 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

    Matthew 9:13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

    Mark 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

    Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

    Luke 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;

    Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham.

    Luke 5:32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

    Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.

    Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

    Acts 5:31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

    Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

    Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.

    Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

    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 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

    Romans 2:4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?

    2 Corinthians 7:9 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.

    2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

    2 Timothy 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;

    Hebrews 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

    Hebrews 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

    Hebrews 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.

    2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Question: What does repentance mean from these Scriptures?

Study Step #4

  • Ask questions from God's commentary concerning 'Repentance'
  • As you read the above Scriptures, make a list of questions that each passage answers.

    Sample questions:

    1. Where is the origin of our repentance?
    2. What was the purpose of the teachings of Jesus Christ?
    3. Are there different types of repentance?
    4. What does repentance do for us?
    5. Is there any time that our repentance does no good?
    Sometimes there are multiple Scriptures that answer the same question. Be sure to copy and paste them under the appropriate question.

Expand Your Search

Question: What do the surrounding Scriptures (context) tell me about the word repentance?

Study Step #5

  • Go to the Interlinear Tab
  • Enter the verse
  • Make a note of key words that are connected to repentance in this verse.

  • Example: Hebrews 6:1 Therefore G1352 leaving G863 (5631) the principles G746 of the doctrine G3056 of Christ G5547, let us go on G5342 (5747) unto G1909 perfection G5047; not G3361 laying G2598 (5734) again G3825 the foundation G2310 of repentance G3341 from G575 dead G3498 works G2041, and G2532 of faith G4102 toward G1909 God G2316,

  • Questions that we might ask:

    1. What does 'from dead works' mean?
    2. What are 'dead works?
    3. Why are we to 'leave' the principles of the doctrine of Christ
    4. Is the understanding of Repentance a foundational principle?
    5. What does perfection mean?
    6. Can we be perfect without understanding repentance?
  • Do the same process for all these 'key words'.

Question: What do the Old Testament Scriptures teach us about repentance?

For the Old Testament Scriptural study, follow the same steps above. If possible find a direct quote that is used in the New Testament. You then will know that there is a direct match between the Old and New Testament words.

Study Step #6

  • Find the Concordance Tab
  • Enter 'repent'
  • Select: Ezekiel 14:6
  • Click the orange 'toggle' icon to unhide the Strong's numbers
  • Copy & Paste this verse into My Notes

  • Example: Ezekiel 14:6 Therefore say H0559 (08798) unto the house H1004 of Israel H3478, Thus saith H0559 (H8804) the Lord H136  GOD H3069; Repent H7725 (H8798), and turn H7725 (H8685) yourselves from your idols H1544; and turn away H7725 (H8685) your faces H6440 from all your abominations H8441.