Lexical Summary metamelomai: To repent, to regret, to change one's mind Original Word: μεταμέλομαι Strong's Exhaustive Concordance repent From meta and the middle voice of melo; to care afterwards, i.e. Regret -- repent (self). see GREEK meta see GREEK melo HELPS Word-studies 3338 metaméllomai (from 3326 /metá, "change after being with," and 3199 /mélō, "care, be concerned with") – properly, to experience a change of concern after a change of emotion and usually implying to regret, i.e. falling into emotional remorse afterwards (note the force of 3326 /metá). [3338 (metaméllomai) in the papyri (P Thead 51.15, iv/ NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and meló Definition to regret, repent NASB Translation change his mind (1), feel remorse (1), felt remorse (1), regret (2), regretted (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3338: μεταμέλομαιμεταμέλομαι; imperfect μετεμελόμην; passive, 1 aorist μετεμελήθην; 1 future μεταμεληθήσομαι; (from μέλομαι, middle of μέλω); from Thucydides down; the Sept. for נִחַם; a deponent passive; properly, it is a care to one afterward (see μετά, III. 2), i. e. it repents one; to repent oneself (in R. V. uniformly with this reflexive rendering (except 2 Corinthians 7:8, where regret)): Matthew 21:29, 32; Matthew 27:3; 2 Corinthians 7:8; Hebrews 7:21 from Psalm 109:4 Topical Lexicon OverviewStrong’s Greek 3338 focuses on a verb describing a change of feeling that leads to a change of mind—an inner after-care marked by regret. Scripture places the term at decisive crossroads where motives, not merely actions, are exposed. The word’s limited New Testament footprint (six occurrences) magnifies its precision: it names a sorrow acutely conscious of falling short, yet it does not automatically imply the full moral turnaround conveyed by metanoeō. Occurrences and Contexts • Matthew 21:29. In the parable of the two sons the first son initially refuses to work in the vineyard “but later he changed his mind and went.” The verb frames obedience as the fruit of honest remorse; true submission, though delayed, vindicates the father’s will. • Matthew 21:32. Jesus indicts the religious leaders: “Even after you saw this, you did not change your minds and believe him.” Here the verb highlights hard-heartedness against unmistakable evidence, sharpening accountability for unbelief. • Matthew 27:3. Judas, “who had betrayed Him, when he saw that Jesus was condemned, was seized with remorse.” The narrative distinguishes emotional anguish from saving repentance; Judas’s regret never becomes faith, showing that remorse without gospel hope can end in despair. • 2 Corinthians 7:8. Paul writes, “Even if I caused you sorrow by my letter, I do not regret it. Though I did regret it—” (both forms occur). A shepherd’s heart may feel momentary regret over necessary discipline, yet spiritual benefit outweighs initial pain. The double use underlines the tension between pastoral compassion and unwavering commitment to truth. • Hebrews 7:21. Concerning the Melchizedek priesthood, God swears, “The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a priest forever.’” The verb is placed on God’s lips to announce His irreversible oath. Unlike human fickleness, divine resolve needs no second thoughts; Christ’s priesthood is eternally secure. Contrast with Metanoeo Both verbs can be rendered “repent,” yet Scriptural nuance keeps them distinct: • metamelomai centers on the feeling—pain over a past decision (Matthew 27:3). Every use of 3338 draws attention to the emotional axis of repentance, preparing but not guaranteeing the volitional shift demanded by the gospel. Theological Significance 1. Divine Immutability. Hebrews 7:21 employs the term negatively (“will not change His mind”), affirming that God’s covenants stand unaltered. His promises rest on His character, not on fluctuating sentiment. 2. Moral Responsibility. Matthew 21:32 holds Israel’s leaders culpable for refusing to “change their minds,” proving that lack of repentance is never from insufficient evidence but from a resistant heart. 3. Pastoral Correction. 2 Corinthians 7:8 balances regret with courage. Spiritual leaders may feel sorrow over hard words, yet genuine love values eternal welfare above temporary comfort. 4. Human Limitation. Judas’s tragedy shows remorse detached from faith. Feelings alone cannot save; regeneration requires the Spirit’s work, leading to obedient trust. Historical Reception Early church writers (e.g., Chrysostom on Matthew) noted the verb’s emotional weight, contrasting Judas’s grief with Peter’s tearful return. Reformation commentators emphasized Hebrews 7:21 to uphold the once-for-all sufficiency of Christ’s priesthood against any notion of repeated sacrifice. Ministry Applications • Evangelism: Address both intellect and affections. Sorrow over sin is a God-given gateway; guide hearers toward the saving response of belief and obedience. • Counseling: Distinguish healthy regret that produces repentance from destructive shame that spirals into hopelessness (cf. 2 Corinthians 7:10). • Preaching: Hebrews 7:21 secures believers in the unchanging priesthood of Christ; assurance rests not in fluctuating feelings but in the oath of God. • Leadership: When administering correction, accept temporary regret as part of faithful oversight, trusting God to yield “godly sorrow” and consequent life-change. Summary Strong’s 3338 illuminates the moment when the heart recoils at its own decision—sometimes leading to obedience (Matthew 21:29), sometimes revealing unbelief (Matthew 21:32), sometimes plunging into despair (Matthew 27:3). In God, the verb serves to deny any possibility of His reversal, anchoring the believer in the steadfast priesthood of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 7:21). For disciple-making today, understanding this term sharpens the call to move from feeling sorry to trusting Christ in obedient faith. Forms and Transliterations μεταμεληθεις μεταμεληθείς μεταμεληθεὶς μεταμεληθής μεταμεληθήσεσθε μεταμεληθησεται μεταμεληθήσεται μεταμεληθήση μεταμελήση μεταμελομαι μεταμέλομαι μετάμελον μετάμελος μεταμεμέλημαι μετεμελήθη μετεμελήθην μετεμεληθητε μετεμελήθητε μετεμελομην μετεμελόμην οὐκ metameletheis metameletheìs metamelētheis metamelētheìs metamelethesetai metamelethḗsetai metamelēthēsetai metamelēthḗsetai metamelomai metamélomai metemelethete metemelēthēte metemelḗthete metemelḗthēte metemelomen metemelomēn metemelómen metemelómēn oukLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance matthew 21:29 V-APP-NMSGRK: ὕστερον δὲ μεταμεληθεὶς ἀπῆλθεν INT: afterward also he repented he went Matthew 21:32 V-AIP-2P Matthew 27:3 V-APP-NMS 2 Corinthians 7:8 V-PIM/P-1S 2 Corinthians 7:8 V-IIM/P-1S Hebrews 7:21 V-FIP-3S Strong's Greek 3338 |
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