PISTIS IS NOT METANOIA—FAITH IS NOT REPENTANCE.
Dr. Thomas. Dear Sir: —In reply to my note of inquiry you say, that if God present a proposition to the intellect, metanoia is to think with that proposition, or to approve as true what God affirms is true. This, it appears to me, confounds pistis with metanoia, or faith with repentance. To approve a proposition as true is to believe a proposition. Metanoia is never used in this sense. On the contrary, it is distinguished from pistis, or faith.
2. In preaching the gospel of the Kingdom Jesus said, repent and believe in the gospel. Here are two commands. One requires the change of mind so frequently enjoined in the gospel; and the other the approval of what he said as true. The proposition to be believed was, "The Kingdom of God is at hand." To receive that proposition as true was to believe; but it was not to repent. Your definition of repentance is a good definition of faith, but not of repentance. You cannot repent a proposition, but you can believe one. No one is commanded to metanoeo, repent the truth, but all were required to believe it.
3. Faith always relates to a proposition to be approved as true—repentance relates to a course to be abandoned. Hence Peter said to the Sorcerer, "Repent of this thy wickedness:" and the Son of God said, "Except metanoesosin, they repent of their deeds, I will cast them into great tribulation." Faith relates to truth to be believed—repentance relates to error to be abandoned.
4. In your first article upon this subject you excepted to my saying that "godly sorrow" was the parent of repentance. If this is a mistake, I am sorry, and can only do as the father of all other men did when called to account for his error, namely, impute the blame to a third person. Paul is blameable if I have mistaken a father for a son, as you allege. For had he not said that "godly sorrow produced repentance," I should never have regarded "godly sorrow" as the parent of repentance. I suppose it impossible for a son to produce his father. You will please excuse my mistake and accept my apology.
5. Meta, the first syllable in metanoia, which you render with, in composition means change.
Metabaino, translated to depart, remove, go from, pass from, has always reference to change of place.
Metaballo. When the barbarians who had entertained an unfavourable opinion of Paul saw that he was unharmed by the viper, metaballomenoi, they changed their opinion, and said, "He is a god!"
Metago. James says, metagomen, we turn about, that is, change the course of, the whole bodies of horses by bits.
Metadidomi. Jesus and his apostles use metadidomi for imparting, that is, changing the possession of.
Metathesis. Paul says, metatithemenes, there being a change of the priesthood, there was a necessity also for metathesis, a change of law. By faith Enoch metetethe, was translated, changed as to his abode, or transported, not interpreted. A change of place is also indicated as, metathesin, "removing those things that are shaken."
Metairo. And it happened that when Jesus had finished certain parables, meteren, he departed, or changed locality.
Metakaleo. When a change of place is required, we find meta in composition with kaleo, to call, but never when a change of place is not required. Joseph metakalesato, called his father to him. Send therefore to Joppa, kai meta kalesai Simona, and call hither Simon.
Metakineo, means also a change, and is rendered "moved away from the hope of the gospel."
Metallasso. "Who, metellaxan, changed the truth concerning God into a falsehood."
Metamorphoo. Jesus metemorphothe, was metamorphosed, or changed in form.
Metapempo. When meta is used in composition with pempo, to send, and the sending related to a change of place, its usual sense is discernable. Send men to Joppa and call for Simon—was warned by a holy angel, metapempsasthai, to send for thee into his house—I came without gainsaying as soon as metahempsasthe, I was sent for.
Metastrepho. The sun metastraphesetai, shall be turned into darkness is clearly indicative of change. There are some who metastrepsai, change or pervert the gospel. Let your laughter metastrapheto, be turned into mourning.
6. Many other instances might be cited to show that change is generally indicated by compounding meta with a verb. Sun (long sound of u) is the appropriate preposition to use in composition to express connection or agreement. Sunnoeo, and not metanoeo, etymologically signifies "to think with."
7. I think that on reflection you will, Dr. Thomas, agree with me that pistis, faith, and not metanoia, repentance, is the appropriate Greek word by which to express an intellectual approval of what God affirms to be true.
8. To satisfy you fully that metanoia, as used in the New Testament, does not signify to think with, I will quote a few passages, and in these quotations give it that signification, as follows: Think with, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Think with, and believe in the gospel, for the kingdom of God is at hand. And they went out and preached that men should think with. Except ye think with, ye shall all likewise perish. If one went to them from the dead, they will think with. If thy brother think with, forgive him. Think with, and be baptised, every one of you. But now he commands all men everywhere to think with. These passages are so many demonstrations that your interpretation is incorrect. But if you understand metanoeo to mean a change of mind, especially with reference to purpose, all is consistent,
I am, Dear Sir, very respectfully yours,
S. E. SHEPARD.
New York, April 13, 1854.
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