Confession, Contrition, and Repentance

by Chadwick Brewer

Sometimes we conflate these three things as being the same thing. While it is true that ideally they would all happen together, they are in fact different and distinct. Let’s take a moment to define them and see what happens when they don't happen concurrently.

Confession

The act of stating that what you have done is wrong. In Greek, it is ὁμολογία, which means “to say the same thing” or “to agree with.” It is the act of saying the same things about your actions as God does. I.e., “I have lied by being dishonest and deceptive.”

Contrition

The state of being humbled and crushed. It is the state of the heart of someone who feels the weight of the guilt and wrong that they have done. It is being poor in spirit and lowly due to their guilt.

Repentance

To change one’s mind, reconsider, turn from one’s former way of thinking or acting. The Greek word often used in the New Testament speaks of the change of mind; New Testament usage goes beyond merely changing one’s opinion. It involves a change of mind that produces a change in direction and conduct.

While these ought to work together, people often separate them.

• Confession without contrition or repentance does nothing to change the person or their actions.
• Confession and contrition without repentance can be called worldly grief (II Corinthians 7:10), which focuses on oneself without producing any real change towards God.
• Repentance without confession or contrition can produce outward change without inward acknowledgment. A person may change his behavior because he dislikes the consequences of his actions without ever admitting that he has sinned or feeling the weight of what he has done.

True repentance is more than simply changing behavior. It is a turning of the heart and life toward God.