24 “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (2 Timothy 2:24–26 (ESV)
The Apostle Paul counseled his young protégé Timothy to not be quarrelsome, but kind, able to teach, patiently enduring evil and correcting opponents of biblical truth with gentleness. What is the potential outcome with such recommended and godly behavior?
The answer Paul gave was God may perhaps grant repentance to opponents of the Gospel. God is the subject and He is the one who has the power to grant such repentance. The phrase may grant (δώῃ; doe) is an aorist active subjunctive singular verb. It means God wholeheartedly, actively and potentially give and cause repentance to occur. The subjunctive mood in Greek expresses actions that are desired, possible, or hypothetical. It is used to convey intentions, wishes, or conditions rather than stating facts.
The word repentance (μετάνοιαν; mentanoiian) means to change one’s way of life and living. Repentance is turning from something or someone. It involves a change of mind, judgement, purpose and behavior.
Dr. Charles Horne writes, “Repentance is the gift of God, the purchase of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit. “When they heard these things, they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18 (ESV). It is implanted by the Spirit at regeneration, or quickening.”
Repentance includes a godly sorrow for sin (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance is a turning from idols (I Thess. 1:9). Repentance is also turning from vain things (Acts 14:15), from darkness (26:28a), and from the power of Satan (26:18b). Both repentance and faith are necessary components in the conversion of the sinner.
The sinner must be brought by God to a knowledge of his lost condition (Rom 3:20; Ps. 51:1-4; Ezek. 36:31). He must also know the divine remedy for sin (Rom. 10:13-17; Ps. 9:10; Phil. 3;8). The sinner must have a broken and contrite heart (Jer. 31 :19; Ps. 51:17; 2 Cor. 7:10). He must also be in agreement and feel drawn to Christ with heart assent (John 4 :43; I Thess. 2:13). Finally, the sinner must turn from the ways of sin (Acts 26:18; Exek.14:6; 2 Cor. 7:11) and turn to Christ to truth in Him alone for salvation (Acts 16:31; 15:11; Phil. 3:9).
The efficient cause for conversion is God (Jer. 13:23; Rom. 9:16; John 1:12-13). The moving cause is the good will of God in regeneration (I Cor.; 6:9-11; Eph. 2:1-4). The instrumental cause of conversion is the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17; Gal. 3:1-2; I Cor. 3:1-5).
Repentance and faith are works solely of God. The Apostle Paul made this clear to the church in Corinth. “And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, 4 and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, 5 so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5 (ESV)
English Baptist pastor, biblical scholar and theologian John Gill (1697-1771) rightly stated, “Conversion is the motion of the soul towards God; but as this cannot be in a dead man, and unless he is quickened, so not unless he is drawn by efficacious grace. Wherefore, God in conversion draws men with loving kindness to Himself and with the cords of love to His Son. For no man, says Christ, can come to me except the Father, which hath sent me, draw him (John 6:44).”
Conversion results in a leading to a knowledge of the truth. Repentance and faith results, or leads to (εἰς; eis) a knowledge (ἐπίγνωσιν; epignosin) recognition or understanding of the truth (ἀληθείας; aletheias) solely of God.
“The word used in the original to indicate this basic change (μετάνοια) means more than repentance. It is conversion (cf. 2 Cor. 7:8–10), a term which looks forward as well as backward, whereas repentance mainly looks backward. Conversion, moreover, affects not only the emotions but also the mind and the will. In fact, it is first of all (as the derivation of the word implies) a complete change-over in mental and moral outlook. It is a radical change of view that leads to a radical change of life. Thus, it is here described as leading to “acknowledgment of (the) truth.” Paul hopes that the adherents of false doctrine will be converted from their habit of majoring on minors, and that they will recognize and confess the great and wonderful truth as revealed in the gospel and as centered in Christ.[1]
May the Lord’s truth and grace be found here. Have a blessed day in the Lord.
Soli deo Gloria!
[1] William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953–2001), 276.
