Topical Encyclopedia
The term "impenitent" refers to an individual who remains unrepentant and unremorseful for their sins or wrongdoings. In the context of the Bible, impenitence is often associated with a hardened heart and a refusal to turn back to God, despite His calls for repentance and the offer of forgiveness through Jesus Christ.
Biblical References:1.
Romans 2:5 : "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed." This verse highlights the consequences of impenitence, emphasizing that a refusal to repent leads to the accumulation of divine wrath, which will be revealed on the day of judgment.
2.
Hebrews 3:15 : "As it has been said: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion.'" This passage warns against the hardening of the heart, a characteristic of the impenitent, urging believers to remain receptive to God's voice and to avoid the mistakes of past rebellions.
3.
Proverbs 29:1 : "A man who remains stiff-necked after much reproof will suddenly be shattered beyond recovery." This proverb underscores the danger of persistent impenitence, suggesting that continued resistance to correction can lead to sudden and irreversible destruction.
Theological Implications:Impenitence is seen as a grave spiritual condition because it signifies a rejection of God's grace and mercy. The Bible consistently calls for repentance as a necessary step toward reconciliation with God. The impenitent heart is contrasted with the repentant heart, which acknowledges sin, seeks forgiveness, and turns away from wrongdoing.
Examples of Impenitence:1.
Pharaoh (Exodus 7-11): Pharaoh's repeated refusal to let the Israelites go, despite the plagues and signs performed by God through Moses, serves as a classic example of impenitence. His hardened heart ultimately led to the devastation of Egypt and the loss of his firstborn son.
2.
The Unrepentant Cities (Matthew 11:20-24): Jesus denounced the cities of Chorazin, Bethsaida, and Capernaum for their impenitence despite witnessing His miracles. He warned that their fate would be worse than that of Sodom on the day of judgment.
Moral and Spiritual Lessons:The Bible teaches that impenitence is a barrier to spiritual growth and salvation. It is a state that believers are urged to avoid by maintaining a humble and contrite heart. The call to repentance is central to the Christian faith, as it opens the way for forgiveness and a restored relationship with God. The impenitent, by contrast, are warned of the severe consequences of their stubbornness and pride.
In summary, the concept of impenitence in the Bible serves as a cautionary tale, urging individuals to heed God's call to repentance and to embrace the transformative power of His grace.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
a.) Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; of a hard heart.
2. (n.) One who is not penitent.
Greek
279. ametanoetos --impenitent, unrepentant...impenitent, unrepentant. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: ametanoetos
Phonetic Spelling: (am-et-an-o'-ay-tos) Short Definition: unrepentant Definition
...Library
The Sick Person Ought Now to Send for Some Godly and Religious...
... (James 5:15.) These have power to shut heaven (Revelation 11:6), and to deliver
the scandalousimpenitent sinner to Satan (1 Corinthians 5:5;) for the weapons...
Repentance and Impenitence.
... 1. That theimpenitent sinner obstinately prefers his own petty and Momentary
gratification to all the other and higher interests of God and the universe; that...
Tadze.
... Therefore the tears of the penitent are needful; since if hisimpenitent
heart were condemned, he would be most justly condemned....
Letter cxlvii. To Sabinianus.
... But after thy hardness andimpenitent heart thou treasurest up unto thyself wrath
against the day of wrath." [3954] Or is it that your heart is hardened, as...
On the Fact that those Men are More to be Pitied to whom it is not...
... For they are vouchsafed no swift and immediate remedy in this world, whose "hardness
andimpenitent heart," being too much for punishment in this life...
Evidences of Regeneration.
... I well recollect, when far from home, and while animpenitent sinner, I received
a letter from my youngest brother, informing me that he was converted to God....
Jeremiah
... "Refuse silver shall men call them," he declared of theimpenitent nation,
"because the Lord hath rejected them." Jeremiah 6:30, margin....
How Much God Desires we Should Love Him.
... But according to thy hardness andimpenitent heart, thou treasurest up to thyself
wrath, against the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God....
"If we Confess Our Sins, He is Faithful and Just to Forgive us Our...
... absolute freedom of grace, that it rather jointly proclaims the riches of grace
and wisdom both, that repentance should be given to animpenitent sinner, and...
Unimpeachable Justice
... at the terrible idea of a man so guilty, about to commence that endless period of
unmingled misery, which is the horrible doom of theimpenitent, which God...
Thesaurus
Impenitent (1 Occurrence)... 1. (a.) Not penitent; not repenting of sin; not contrite; of a hard heart. 2. (n.)
One who is not penitent. Multi-Version Concordance
Impenitent (1 Occurrence).
...Retribution (14 Occurrences)
... Instances of Use of Orge and Thumos 7. Instances of Use of Greek Words for "Vengeance"
8. Words Meaning "Chastisement" Not Used of theImpenitent 9. Judgment...
Punishment (417 Occurrences)
... Endless, of theimpenitent and unbelieving.... It is maintained here that the punishment
of sin, in the case of the finallyimpenitent, is everlasting. II....
Imperfect (6 Occurrences)
Everlasting (192 Occurrences)
... It is maintained here that the punishment of sin, in the case of the finally
impenitent, is everlasting. II. Scriptural Support....
Judgements (3 Occurrences)
... Romans 2:5 The fact is that in the stubbornness of yourimpenitent heart you are
treasuring up against yourself anger on the day of Anger--the day when the...
Goodness (83 Occurrences)
... it is benevolence; as exercised with respect to the miseries of his creatures it
is mercy, pity, compassion, and in the case ofimpenitent sinners, long...
Impenetrable (1 Occurrence)
Furnace (35 Occurrences)
... imagery of that parable; while in the companion parable of the Drag-Net (Matthew
13:50) it stands as a symbol of the final destiny of theimpenitent, a synonym...
Thieves (25 Occurrences)
... According to tradition, Demas or Dismas was the name of the penitent thief hanging
on the right, and Gestas of theimpenitent on the left....
Resources
What is the Parable of the Wheat and the Tares? | GotQuestions.orgImpenitent: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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