Question 1

What does "Repentance" mean in the King James Bible?

Accepted Answer

In the KJV, "Repentance" means "feeling guilty." The new mind. Meta (change) + nous (mind) = a completely new way of thinking. Repentance was not primarily feeling bad but receiving a new mind -- seeing God, yourself, and the world with completely different eyes. 'Repentance unto life' was not 'guilt leading to sadness' but 'a transformed mind leading to new life.'

Question 2

Why did the word "Repentance" disappear from modern English?

Accepted Answer

Greek metanoia ('complete change of mind/total reorientation of thinking/fundamental paradigm shift') guilt-ified into 'feeling bad about what you did.' The forward-looking transformation became backward-looking regret. The word was at peak usage around 1611 and declined by still used but guilt-ified (~1800).

Question 3

What modern word replaced "Repentance"?

Accepted Answer

"Repentance" was replaced by: "remorse" (though this backward-looking guilt; metanoia was forward-looking transformation); "penance" (though this punishment for wrongdoing; metanoia was a gift that reoriented your entire life); "contrition" (though this sorrow for sin; metanoia was a new mind -- seeing everything differently).

What Does “Repentance” Mean in the Bible?

What Was Lost