Biblical Repentance According to Theodore Beza

 

Theodore Beza was a leading Greek scholar of the 16th century and the successor to John Calvin in Geneva. Dr. Philip Doddridge says: “Beza is undoubtedly the best critic on the Greek language of any commentator we have. There is no translation, that I know of, equal to his; and his remarks on Erasmus and the vulgar Latin are wrought up to the utmost degree of exactness. On the whole, it is an invaluable treasure, and deserves to be read with the utmost attention.” It will be interesting, therefore, to see what Beza says in regards to repentance; some may be surprised to learn that he affirms the Free Grace understanding of repentance as a change of mind and heart! Notice the following statements by Beza from various editions of his New Testament, showing that biblical repentance is “an inward thing which hath it seate in the mind & heart”:

Beza’s Annotation on Matthew 3:2 (in the 1575 Latin edition of Beza's New Testament):

“Metanoein, mutari significat animo & mente, idque in melius.”[1] Translated into English it reads: “Metanoein, it signifies to be changed in the mind & heart, and that for the better.” (personal translation)

Beza’s Annotation on Matthew 3:2 (in the 1599 Geneva Bible, with Beza's Annotations):

“The word in the Greeke tongue signifieth a changing of our minds and hearts from evill to better.”[2]

Beza’s Annotation on Matthew 3:8 (in the 1575 Latin edition of Beza's New Testament):

“Vera respiscentia, est res interior, quae in mente & animo sedem habet.”[3] Translated into English it reads: “True repentance is an inner thing, that has its seat in the mind & soul.” (personal translation)

Beza’s Annotation on Matthew 3:8 (in the 1599 Geneva Bible, with Beza's Annotations):

“True repentance in an inward thing which hath it seate in the mind & heart.”[4]

References:

[1] Theodore Beza, Editor, Jesu Christi D. N. Novum Testamentum (Geneva: 1575), p. 4, verso. Note: This is the 1575 Latin edition, with visible note “c” for the word Resipiscite in Matthew 3:2. Also Note: The title page of the New Testament says: “Jesu Christi D[ominus]. N[oster]. Novum Testamentum, Theodoro Beza interprete. Additae sunt summae breues doctrinae in Euangelistas, & Acta Apostolorum: item, Methodus Apostolicarum Epistolarum ab eodem authore, cum breui phraseon, & locorum difficiliorum exposition, ex ipsius authoris maioribus annotationibus desumpta: paucis etiam additis ex Joach[im]. Camerarii notationibus in Euangelistas & Acta.” Translated into English it reads: “The New Testament of Jesus Christ our Lord, translated by Theodore Beza. The summaries of doctrine in the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles are added: likewise, Methodology of the Apostolic Epistles by the same author, with a brief phraseology, and an exposition of difficult passages, taken from the author’s own larger annotations: with a few additions also from Joachim Camerarius’ notes on the Gospels & Acts.”

[2] Theodore Beza, translated by Laurence Tomson, The New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ (London: Christopher Barker, 1599), p. 4, verso. Note: Also see the “Geneva Study Bible” notes on Matthew 3:2 on the studylight.org website (accessed May 29, 2023).

[3] Theodore Beza, Editor, Jesu Christi D. N. Novum Testamentum (Geneva: 1575), p. 4, verso. Note: This is the 1575 Latin edition.

[4] Theodore Beza, translated by Laurence Tomson, The New Testament of the Lord Jesus Christ (London: Christopher Barker, 1599), p. 4, verso. Note: Also see the “Geneva Study Bible” notes on Matthew 3:8 on the studylight.org website (accessed May 29, 2023).