What does the Bible say about repentance? That’s a question we should ask and seek the scriptures to answer since repentance is one of those churchy words that you might not really understand. I know when I was a new believer, I had never even heard of repentance before. I had to study my Bible to figure it out.
Maybe you’re not sure what repentance is or need help explaining it to someone else. In this post, we’ll cover the definition of repentance and Bible verses about repentance. There are links to previous articles I’ve written about repentance at the bottom of this post.
“Repentance, if it be true, strikes at the root and washes the heart from wickedness.” ~ Matthew Henry
What is Biblical Repentance?
2 Corinthians 7:10 KJV – For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
In 2 Corinthians 7:9-11, the apostle Paul describes his reaction to the repentance of the church at Corinth. He had reprimanded them for allowing blatant sin in the church. He says they had godly sorrow over their sin and made it abundantly clear that they changed their ways.
Repentance isn’t just being sorry you messed up, but being broken over that sin and seeing it as God does. Sin separates us from our holy God, and hinders our spiritual growth. But continually repenting of sin, and changing how we think, feel, and act on those old impulses of our flesh, keeps us abiding in Christ, and growing as a disciple of Christ.
Amos 3:3 reminds us that two people can’t walk together unless they agree. And in Philippians 2:5 we’re encouraged to be like-minded with Christ. Therefore, if we’re going to walk with Christ, we have to think like Christ and live like Christ.
Repentance is a change of mind and heart that leads to a change in direction and results in a changed life. ~ Annie McGuire Click To Tweet
Need help doing a Bible word study?
Anytime I do a word study in the Bible, I use Blue Letter Bible because it has so many great tools that make studying the scriptures so much easier. If you’ve never done a word study before, I wrote a couple of posts that walk through the steps: 10 Simple Steps to do a Bible Word Study and Bible Study for Busy Women~ 20 Minute Word Study.)
I also have a FREE 17-page guide to How to Study the Bible in my Resource Library. You get that and so much more when you subscribe to Daily His Disciple!
Here are some posts about studying the Bible for yourself
3 Questions to Ask When Studying the Bible
13 Bible Verses About Repentance (KJV)
The word ‘repentance’ occurs 26 times in the KJV. Here are 13 of those scriptures.
- Matthew 3:8 KJV – Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
- Matthew 9:13 KJV – 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 KJV – John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
- Mark 2:17 KJV – 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 15:7 KJV – 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 KJV – And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
- Acts 20:21 KJV – Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Romans 2:4 KJV – Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
- Romans 11:29 KJV – For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
- 2 Corinthians 7:9-10 KJV – 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. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
- 2 Timothy 2:25 KJV – In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
- 2 Peter 3:9 KJV – 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.
“The Christian who has stopped repenting has stopped growing.”~ A. W. Pink
15 Bible Verses With the Word Repent (KJV)
There are 43 scriptures that mention the word ‘repent’ in the KJV. Here are 15 of them.
- Job 42:6 KJV – Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
- Ezekiel 14:6 KJV – Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations.
- Ezekiel 18:30 KJV – Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, saith the Lord GOD. Repent, and turn yourselves from all your transgressions; so iniquity shall not be your ruin.
- Matthew 4:17 KJV – From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
- Mark 1:15 KJV – And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
- Mark 6:12 KJV – And they went out, and preached that men should repent.
- Luke 13:3 KJV – I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
- Luke 17:3 KJV – Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him.
- Acts 2:38 KJV – Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
- Acts 3:19 KJV – Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
- Acts 8:22 KJV – Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
- Acts 17:30 KJV – And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
- Revelation 2:5 KJV – Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
- Revelation 3:3 KJV – Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.
- Revelation 3:19 KJV – As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
What Does the Bible Say About Repentance? Click To Tweet
Repentance Brings Freedom and Joy
When you forsake sin and follow Christ, you are free from the bondage of Satan. Repentance not only brings freedom, but it also comes with joy, because your heart is clean and your relationship with God is right.
Is there a sin in your life that you need to repent of? A behavior, mindset, attitude, or relationship that doesn’t line up with God’s word that you need to relinquish? Trust God and His word, and let it go. Turn from it and to the Lord. He is better than anything we leave behind.
Posts Related to Biblical Repentance:
Repentance ~ Give Us Clean Hands
Staying Clean in an Unclean Culture: Teaching women to be chaste
8 Roadblocks to Victory Over Habitual Sin- Part 1
8 Roadblocks to Victory Over Habitual Sin- Part 2
What Does it Mean to Walk in the Light
Products for Spiritual Growth by Kingdom Bloggers
I have to share some amazing products for spiritual growth with you! LeeAnn Fox at Kingdom Bloggers created digital prayer journals, Bible reading plans, and other beautiful items to help you get organized with your Bible study time. They are incredible! Here’s the link to check them out: Kingdom Bloggers Products
I’m an affiliate marketer, so a portion of the sales will go to help support my own ministry here at Daily His Disciple, but at no extra cost to you!
Get a “My Jesus Journal” for Spiritual Growth
I designed a tool to help Christian women to know Jesus more intimately as they read and study the Bible.
My Jesus Journal focuses your time in the word on learning more about the Lord and cultivating a closer relationship with Christ.
Intended to be used alongside your daily Bible reading, My Jesus Journal has space to record the date, the scriptures you read, and lined spaces to write your observations about Jesus you saw in the text. The bottom of that page has a verse from the KJV Bible about Jesus. The next page has space to write prayers related to what you discovered in your reading. There are also extra prayer pages in the back of the book.
My Jesus Journal aids us in our quest to learn and love and know Jesus more deeply.
Beautiful, portable, and affordable!
I sized My Jesus Journal to fit into your purse, backpack, or diaper bag. You can grow on the go when you use wait times in the Doctor’s office, the carpool line, etc. for Bible study.
My Jesus Journal is extremely affordable, so you can purchase just one for yourself, or consider buying one for your entire ministry! It makes an excellent gift for any Christian woman in your life!
Click on the picture to order today:
Are you looking for a guest blogger?
If you need someone to contribute articles to your website, or to collaborate with you on a project, you can view my portfolio and my beliefs to see if I would be a good fit for your readers. If so, please email me at dailyhisdisciple@gmail.com.
My most recent guest posts: 4 Practical Lessons From Anna in the Bible 8 Steps to Spiritual Maturity for Teresa Hodge at Ladies Drawing Nigh and 8 Tips for Spiritual Growth for Anne Markey at One Determined Life
Pray With Confidence
Prayer is an essential element of biblical repentance. If you desire a stronger prayer life, check out Pray With Confidence. It’s a website for helping women overcome prayer obstacles, and I am one of the regular contributors.
Here are some links I think will be a blessing to you:
63 Insightful Bible Verses About Grace
3 Short Prayers for Spiritual Stability
Check out the prayer resources, Bible verses, and tough questions tabs as well. There are many great options for your spiritual growth!