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Unveiling the Word

In biblical studies, understanding Greek words is crucial for grasping the deeper meaning behind New Testament passages. The word μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai) holds significant weight in theological discussions because it conveys the concept of regret or remorse, particularly in response to a decision or action. Appearing first in Matthew 21:29, μεταμέλομαι is used in a parable where a son initially refuses to do his father’s will but later changes his mind. This word helps elucidate the process of human repentance and the emotional weight behind regret, which is central to understanding personal transformation both in ancient Greek culture and Christian doctrine.

Necessary Information

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Greek Word: μεταμέλομαι (metamelomai, pronunciation: meh-tah-MEH-loh-my)

Etymology: The word μεταμέλομαι is derived from two root elements: the preposition “μετα-” (meta-), meaning “after” or “beyond,” and “μέλω” (melo), meaning “to be concerned” or “to care for.” Together, they create a verb that expresses a change of concern or mind after an action, often resulting in regret or remorse.

Part of Speech: μεταμέλομαι is a verb, specifically a deponent verb, which means it has a middle or passive form but an active meaning. It signifies an emotional response or internal change, often reflecting the feeling of regret over past decisions or actions.

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Defining Meanings

Meaning 1: To feel regret or remorse. This is the primary meaning of the word in many New Testament contexts, such as Matthew 21:29, where a change of mind or feeling about a past decision is evident.

Meaning 2: To change one’s mind. While this meaning overlaps with the first, it focuses more on the cognitive aspect of the decision-making process rather than the emotional weight of regret. It can imply a reconsideration of one’s actions.

Meaning 3: To feel sorrow for a decision. This nuanced meaning emphasizes the emotional pain or sorrow that accompanies the realization that one’s earlier choice was wrong.

Exploring Similar Words

μετανοέω (metanoeo, pronounced meh-tah-no-EH-oh): This verb, often translated as “repent,” focuses on a complete change of mind and heart, leading to a shift in one’s life direction. While μεταμέλομαι emphasizes regret or sorrow, μετανοέω involves a broader concept of repentance and transformation.

σύντριβω (syntribo, pronounced soon-TREE-bo): This word means “to break” or “to crush” and is often used metaphorically to describe the feeling of being crushed by guilt or sorrow. Unlike μεταμέλομαι, which focuses on the emotional change, σύντριβω highlights the severity of the emotional state caused by regret or guilt.

μεταστρέφω (metastrepho, pronounced meh-tah-STREH-foh): This word means “to turn” or “to change.” It is similar in meaning to μεταμέλομαι but emphasizes the idea of turning or shifting direction more strongly, often without the same emotional connotation of regret.

Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

Tense, Voice, Mood: μεταμέλομαι appears in the middle or passive voice but conveys an active meaning. The middle voice reflects the subject’s internal state of mind, emphasizing personal feelings of regret or remorse. The verb can be found in various tenses, such as the present, which implies an ongoing feeling of regret, and the aorist, which indicates a completed action of feeling remorse over a past decision.

Person and Number: μεταμέλομαι is conjugated in various persons and numbers. For instance, in Matthew 21:29, it appears in the 3rd person singular aorist indicative: “μεταμεληθείς,” meaning “he regretted” or “he felt remorse.”

Aspect: Greek verbs often convey different aspects. In the case of μεταμέλομαι, the imperfective aspect reflects a continuous or ongoing feeling of remorse, while the perfective aspect conveys a completed action of regret.

Conjugation Table: Present Indicative Middle/Passive

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Studying Lexicon Insights

The word μεταμέλομαι carries rich theological meaning in its New Testament usage. It conveys the concept of regret, often over a past decision, as seen in the parable of the two sons in Matthew 21:29. Lexicons consistently emphasize its emotional aspect—unlike μετανοέω, which indicates a change in heart and direction, μεταμέλομαι reflects a feeling of remorse, not necessarily accompanied by true repentance. Classical Greek sources use the word similarly, indicating sorrow or concern after an action has been taken. However, in a biblical context, it takes on special significance as it often highlights the human tendency to feel regret without the full transformation that repentance requires.

This overview synthesizes insights from BDAG, Thayer’s, LSJ, Vine’s, Strong’s, LEH, and Moulton and Milligan.

Tracing Related Scriptures

• Matthew 21:29: “But he answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted [μεταμέλομαι] it and went.”
• Matthew 27:3: “Then Judas, who had betrayed Him, seeing that He had been condemned, felt remorse [μεταμέλομαι] and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders.”
• 2 Corinthians 7:8: “For even if I made you sorry with my letter, I do not regret [μεταμέλομαι] it, though I did regret [μεταμέλομαι] it.”

Analyzing Classical Usage

Noteworthy Summary

The Greek verb μεταμέλομαι, meaning to feel regret or remorse, is an essential term for understanding the concept of emotional regret in both classical Greek literature and New Testament writings. Unlike the stronger idea of repentance in μετανοέω, μεταμέλομαι focuses on the emotional response to a past decision or action. In biblical contexts, it is used in instances of regret, such as in Judas’s remorse in Matthew 27:3 or the son’s change of heart in Matthew 21:29. Its presence in both secular and sacred Greek literature reveals how the feeling of remorse was universally understood, but its theological implications within the New Testament deepen its importance, particularly in distinguishing between mere regret and true repentance.

Did You Know?

• μεταμέλομαι is often used to describe regret without the full transformation that the Greek word metanoia (repentance) implies.
• In Matthew 27:3, μεταμέλομαι is used to describe Judas’s remorse after betraying Jesus, showing that while he felt regret, it did not lead to true repentance.
• The word μεταμέλομαι is derived from the combination of “μετα-” (after) and “μέλω” (to care), highlighting the emotional shift that occurs after realizing one’s mistake.