Around the world there are many who practice penance. Whether you practice it or not there is a question to consider. Is penance is a biblical Concept? Let’s jump right in to find the answer.
What Is Penance?
Before we answer whether penance is a biblical concept let’s be clear on what penance is (I never like to make assumptions). The Merriam-Webster dictionary gives three definitions for the word penance.
- an act of self-abasement, mortification, or devotion performed to show sorrow or repentance for sin
- a sacramental rite that is practiced in Roman, Eastern, and some Anglican churches and that consists of private confession, absolution, and a penance directed by the confessor
- something (such as a hardship or penalty) resembling an act of penance (as in compensating for an offense)
For comparison’s sake here is how penance is defined according to the Catholic Dictionary. Please note the definition of penance and the Sacrament of Penance.
- Penance - Penitence or repentance, a virtue disposing a sinner to hatred of his own sin because it is an offence against God and prompting him to a firm purpose of amendment.
- Sacrament of Penance - A sacrament of the New Law instituted by Christ in which the absolution of a priest, acting as judge, sins committed after Baptism are forgiven to a person who confesses them with sorrow and a purpose of amendment.
If you are a part of church traditions which practice penance, then these definitions are probably very familiar to you. According to Catholic doctrine the Sacrament of Penance was given to the apostles and their successors. This is based on an interpretation of John 20:22-23.
And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” For clarity’s sake, the primary reasons penance is practiced is to show sorrow for sin, to receive forgiveness or absolution from a priest, and to make amends for sins committed.
Is Penance a Biblical Concept?
If you look at the reasons for penance, there is one aspect that somewhat falls in line with a biblical definition of repentance and that is a godly sorrow over sin. However, this sorrow alone is not the same as repentance. For biblical repentance to occur there must also be a change of mind, purpose, or direction along with a turning toward God. It is important to note the same way salvation is a grace that comes from God, repentance and forgiveness that comes after you are saved is also a grace that comes from God. If penance stopped there, I might be able to make a case and say penance is a biblical concept but because of the other reasons for doing penance it becomes difficult to say it is.
What Is the Process of Penance?
The process of penance usually involves confession to a priest who according to Catholic doctrine can forgive sins. While the Bible does encourage us to confess our sins one to another (James 5:16), the goal of that confession is not so the other person can offer forgiveness or cleansing from those sins. I know this is a sticking point with Catholic doctrine, but I believe forgiveness and cleansing from sin resides in the hands of Christ alone, not a priest or any other human regardless of their title. Penance doesn’t end with confession. After confession there is a disciplinary aspect to penance that is imposed on a person which requires them to demonstrate their sincere repentance. This often requires the person who is repenting and seeking forgiveness to do something to atone for their sins. Here is a direct quote from catholicessentials.net about penance.
“There is no doubt that penance in general must be practiced by all Catholics as much as possible if we are to make up for our earthly offenses and attain Heaven. This has been a basic practice of the Catholic Church since Christ founded it. As for the Sacrament of Penance, for those that sin after Baptism, it is our lifeline to Heaven. Since in some cases it is difficult to know whether we are truly in the state of grace, the Sacrament of Penance should be utilized very frequently (i.e. monthly or even more frequently)!”
Reading these words are troubling to me for two reasons. One they imply we can make up for our earthly offenses and attain heaven. Second is the assumption that it is difficult to know if we are truly in a state of grace. Both concepts are foreign to biblical doctrine.
When it comes to attaining heaven by making up for our earthly offenses, which is a form of self-righteousness, the Bible is clear. "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." – Isaiah 64:6.
This is why Ephesians is clear as the way to salvation. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast." – Ephesians 2:8-9
We are not just saved by grace we are also forgiven by grace. There is nothing you can do to make up for any earthly offense that will lead you to earning forgiveness from God or attaining heaven with your own effort. Should you sin forgiveness can only be found in Christ and Christ alone. While true repentance requires there to be change of mind and turning to God, from that point you depend on the blood of Jesus and his righteousness. As the old hymn goes, what can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus.
True repentance and salvation bring with it something else that is missing in the quote about the Sacrament of Penance. That something is confidence. We can know and be certain of the grace we currently live under. This confidence comes from the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Read these four verses and please see if they inspire confidence in the state of grace we live in.
- "The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children." – Romans 8:16
- "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory." – Ephesians 1:13-14
- "In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." – Philippians 1:4-6
- "To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." – Jude 1:23-24
I stopped at four verses, but I could go on because it is clear from Scripture you don’t have to be uncertain of where you stand. God has clearly defined it in his word and has sealed it in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Is Penance a Biblical Concept? (The Yes or No Answer)
Based on what God has declared in his word I would have to say the penance is not a biblical concept. There should be godly sorrow over sin that leads to repentance. However, after true repentance there is nothing else required to earn forgiveness from God. This does not mean you won’t have to go back and apologize or make amends with another person, especially if you offended them or sinned against them. There may even be consequences that come as a result of your sin. But these things are not required to earn your forgiveness. You do these things because you have been forgiven by God not because you are trying to earn forgiveness from God. While I understand the teaching of penance, it is not necessary to receive forgiveness from God. The answer to finding forgiveness is found in Christ alone.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." – 1 John 1:9
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