Lexical Summary ametanoétos: Unrepentant, impenitent Original Word: ἀμετανόητος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance impenitent. From a (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of metanoeo; unrepentant -- impenitent. see GREEK a see GREEK metanoeo NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom alpha (as a neg. prefix) and metanoeó Definition impenitent, unrepentant NASB Translation unrepentant (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 279: ἀμετανόητοςἀμετανόητος, (μετανοέω, which see), admitting no change of mind (amendment), unrepentant, impenitent: Romans 2:5. (In Lucian, Abdic. 11 (passively), equivalent to ἀμεταμέλητος, which see; (Philo de praem. et poen. § 3).) Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope Strong’s Greek 279 designates the settled condition of a heart that refuses to change its mind and turn to God. It does not describe a momentary lapse but an ongoing spiritual posture that resists conviction and rejects the gracious summons to repent. Usage in the New Testament The term appears once, in Romans 2:5. The Berean Standard Bible renders the verse: “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.” The vocabulary choice underscores the gravity of persisting in sin when confronted with the light of divine truth. Context within Romans Romans 1 details the downward spiral of pagan idolatry, while Romans 2 turns the searchlight onto those who possess the moral law yet remain unchanged. Paul exposes the false security of religious privilege; the covenant people themselves may be “unrepentant” if knowledge is not matched by contrition. The single occurrence of ἀμετανόητον therefore functions as a mirror held up to self-righteousness, dismantling every excuse before the bar of God’s impartial judgment (Romans 2:1-11). Old Testament Background Though the Greek term is unique to Romans, its moral concept reverberates through Scripture. Pharaoh’s hardened heart (Exodus 7–14), Israel’s stiff-necked resistance (Deuteronomy 9:6), and the prophetic laments over unreturned love (Jeremiah 5:3; Hosea 11:7) all foreshadow the peril of remaining unmoved by divine appeal. Paul draws upon this covenant storyline to show continuity between past and present rebellion. Theological Significance 1. Divine Forbearance: Romans 2:4 highlights the patience and kindness of God “leading you to repentance.” Unrepentance spurns that kindness, converting patience into increased liability. Contrast with Μετάνοια (Repentance) True repentance (μετάνοια) is a Spirit-enabled change of mind that bears fruit in obedience (Acts 26:20). ἀμετανόητος represents the antithesis: obstinacy that prefers sin over grace. The presence of one excludes the other. Pastoral and Missional Implications • Preaching must press for response, not mere assent (Luke 13:3). Warnings to the Impenitent Romans 2:5 stands beside Hebrews 10:26-27 and Revelation 2:21-23 as canonical cautions. Collectively they show that a day of wrath is not an idle threat but an inevitable appointment when mercy is finally withdrawn from those who will not yield. Historical and Patristic Witness Early writers employed this verse to admonish nominal believers. Chrysostom, commenting on Romans 2, urged hearers to tremble at the idea of “treasuring up” wrath through despising repentance. Augustine contrasted the softness of divine mercy with the iron of an unrepentant heart, insisting that grace, not self-reform, produces genuine change. Contemporary Ministry Application 1. Counseling: Identify patterns of chronic sin defended rather than confessed; address underlying unbelief rather than surface behavior. Summary Strong’s 279 portrays a heart impervious to God’s overtures. Romans 2:5 locates such hardness within religious as well as pagan circles, establishing that judgment is proportionate to the light resisted. The term therefore serves as a sobering checkpoint: wherever the gospel is proclaimed, hearers must decide whether to treasure grace or to store up wrath. Forms and Transliterations αμετανοητον αμετανόητον ἀμετανόητον αμέτρητον ametanoeton ametanoēton ametanóeton ametanóētonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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