Grace Evangelical Society

P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202
  • About
    • Home
    • Beliefs
    • Staff
    • Board of Directors
  • Resources
    • Grace in Focus Blog
    • Grace in Focus International Blogs
    • Grace in Focus Radio
    • Grace in Focus Magazine
    • Free eBooks
    • Journal of the GES
    • Book Reviews
    • Partners in Grace Newsletter
    • Audio Messages
    • Videos
    • Email Subscription
    • Bookstore
    • Online Tracts
  • Store
    • Main Page
    • On Sale
    • Return Policy
    • Your Cart
    • Your Account
  • Events
  • Connect
    • Contact Us
    • Free Grace Church and Bible Study Tracker
    • Free Grace Jobs
    • Ministry Links
  • Donate
    • One Time Donation
    • Monthly Donation
    • Your Account
  • Search
Home
→
Grace in Focus Articles
→
Confession in the New Testament

Confession in the New Testament

January 1, 2016 by Bill Fiess in Grace in Focus Articles

Confessing

The word homologeō, often translated confess, is found quite regularly (23 times in the Majority Text) in the New Testament, but it may be surprising in what sense it is used most often.

We are accustomed to thinking of confession in relation to confessing sins. But surprisingly confession of sins is mentioned only three times in the New Testament (Matt 3:6; Mark 1:5; 1 John 1:9).

In fact, the Greek word homologeō, which is usually translated confess, is occasionally translated give thanks (Matt 11:25; Luke 10:21; Heb 13:15). And a few times it has the sense of promise (Matt 14:7; Luke 22:6). But most of the time it is rendered by the simple word confess or confession (about 75% of the time).1

In addition to the verb homologeō, there is also the related verb exomologeō, (11 uses) and the noun homologia (6 uses). Though it is very imposing to contemplate, I personally will give a confession of my life before Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ (Rom 14:10-12). And even more astonishing is the fact that Jesus Himself promises that He will confess (or acknowledge) some believers before God the Father and His angels. For example,

“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:32–33, emphasis added).

Similarly in Rev 3:5 the Lord Jesus promises, “I will confess his name [i.e., the name of him who overcomes] before My Father and before His angels.”

In both contexts it is very clear that Jesus is speaking to and about believers. So the setting in which Jesus will confess some believers can only be the Judgment Seat of Christ (Luke 19:15-26; Rom 14:10-12; 2 Cor 5:9-10).

Also, it is clear that not all believers will be confessed (openly acknowledged and praised) by Jesus, for He also says “whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matt 10:33; 2 Tim 2:12b). In fact, the context in Matthew and also Revelation strongly suggests that those whom Jesus denies at the Bema will not be eligible to rule with Him.

In fact, in his own commentary on Matt 10:32-33 Paul said both “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him” and “If we deny Him, He will also deny us” (2 Tim 2:12). Endurance in confession of Christ results in reigning with Christ. Failure to endure in confession will result in a denial of the privilege of reigning with Christ.

Sadly confessing Christ is exactly what many believers in Jesus’ day were unwilling to do:

Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue (John 12:42, emphasis added).2

For me, I have decided that I want to be a confessing believer that I might be confessed at the Bema.

____________________

1. Whether it should be translated that way so often is open to question. Possibly translations like acknowledge, profess, praise, or declare might better convey the sense in some contexts.

2. See also John 9:22.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
author_fiess

by Bill Fiess

Bill Fiess teaches math in Virginia and can't believe he gets paid to have so much fun.

Cart

Recently Added

February 3, 2023

Romans–Part 05–The Solution

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Kathryn Wright and Ken Yates conclude this short series as they get to the good part of the...
February 3, 2023

Here’s Why Your February Partner’s Letter Will Be Late

We send a letter each month to those who financially support the ministry of GES. We call the newsletter Partners in Grace. We try to...
February 2, 2023

Romans–Part 04–The Problem

Welcome to Grace in Focus radio. Today, Ken Yates and Kathryn Wright continue this short series about Romans. Jumping to Chapter 3, they begin with...

Grace in Focus Radio

All Episodes

Listen to Stitcher

Listen on Spotify

Grace In Focus Magazine

Grace In Focus is sent to subscribers in the United States free of charge.

Subscribe for Free

The primary source of Grace Evangelical Society's funding is through charitable contributions. GES uses all contributions and proceeds from the sales of our resources to further the gospel of grace in the United States and abroad.

Donate

Bookstore Specials

  • Here Walks My Enemy: The Story of Luis (Paperback) $6.95 $3.00
  • Confident in Christ, 2nd Edition $22.00 $5.00
  • Inerrancy for Dummies $7.95 $5.00
  • The Journey of Faith $15.00 $9.00
  • Grudem Against Grace: A Defense of Free Grace Theology $15.00 $10.00
Grace Evangelical Society

(940) 270-8827 / ges@faithalone.org

4851 S I-35E Suite 203, Corinth, TX 76210
P.O. Box 1308, Denton, TX 76202

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • YouTube