Change your Understanding!

You may not realize it, but the title of this note is really saying, "Repent!".

The Greek word commonly translated as "repent" in the N.T. is the word metanoeo (#3340)-which is a compound word. The first part of the word "meta" means to change. For example, the Greek word metamorphoo (#3339) is the word translated as "change, transfigure, and transform". Meta means to change. And morpho means “form”. Therefore, transform is the most accurate translation of this compound Greek word.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed (#3339) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Of course, we recognize the word "trans" as meaning change even in our modern time. "Translation" means to change one language into another language. Or "transgender" means the supposed changing of genders from male to female or female to male.

Therefore, it is very clear that by using the word meta in the Greek word translated as "repent," that God is commanding a change in the sinner.

We might expect the second part of the word (noeo) to have something to do with conduct or behavior. After all, that is how we usually think of repentance. I need to change my behavior by putting a stop to my drinking or my smoking or my cursing, etc.

However, God did not use a word that identifies with seen or outward behavior or conduct. No. Instead the Greek word noeo (#3539) means to consider, think, perceive, or understand. That is the 4 ways it is translated in the Bible. Of the 14 times this Greek word is found in the N.T., it is translated 10 times as "understand", 2 times as "perceive", and 1 time each as "consider" and "think". Also, of these 14 instances it can be shown that 11 of them have to do with one’s spiritual understanding, or lack of spiritual understanding. Here are a few verses where noeo (#3539) is used:

Matthew 15:15 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Declare unto us this parable.

16 And Jesus said, Are ye also yet without understanding?

17 Do not ye yet understand (#3539), that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?

We see in the verse above, that the lack of understanding has to do with a parable. Also:

Matthew 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.

8 Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?

9 Do ye not yet understand (#3539), neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?

11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?

12 Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Again, the lack of understanding had to do with taking Jesus’ words about bread literally rather than figuratively.

This is the typical way this word noeo is used. We’ll go to one more passage in Ephesians chapter 3:

Ephesians 3:3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Notice that verse 3 speaks of the revelation of the mystery. Once we find the word “mystery”, right away we are alerted that a parable is in view (see Matthew 13:10,11). Verse 4 says that when we read we may understand (noeo/#3539) knowledge in the mystery of Christ. Again, we see noeo has to do with understanding the hidden truths or deeper spiritual meanings of the Bible.

Therefore, the Greek word that the KJV Bible translates as “repent” means to change one’s understanding. And then, having your understanding changed believe the true gospel of the Bible.

Of course, the only way the sinner can change his understanding in order to understand spiritual things is by receiving a changed heart in salvation.

Let’s look at a few Scriptures where the word repent (metanoeo/#3340) is found.

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

Repent and believe the gospel! That is the command of God. And now that we understand the Greek word translated as “repent” means to “change your understanding”, we can read it this way: “Change your understanding and believe the gospel”. What is the gospel? The truth of the Bible as revealed by the Holy Spirit in proper time and season. Can you see how this would have applied to the time of the end? Remember God opened up the Scriptures to reveal the command to leave the church and go out into the world. And, overwhelmingly, those in the churches took no action. Why did they not respond to God’s command and come out? Because of their understanding or lack thereof. They believed their church and pastor. Whereas God was calling for them to change their understanding and believe His Word (the gospel) and obey it. Let’s also go to this well-known Bible passage:

Acts 17:29 Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device.

30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:

The people of the world are involved in all manner of idolatries. The idols have been carved literally, or figuratively, by their own understanding. Yet, the time came where God commanded them to “repent!” of these idols. That is, the sinner was called upon to change his understanding and believe the Bible concerning the Person of God.

No matter what particular sin is in view – it is certain that the sinner’s lack of understanding (ignorance) or simply wrong understanding is involved in some way with that sin.

Finally, we can say that if one were to truly repent—or gain a changed understanding of the spiritual things of the Bible—it could only be a result of God having saved him.