Repentance vs. Regret
Regret (or worldly sorrow) is simply feeling bad about consequences; repentance is a genuine change of mind and direction that turns away from sin toward God. Paul distinguishes the two directly: one leads to life, the other to death.
Point by Point
Repentance
Regret
What changes
A change of mind and direction - actually turning away from sin.
An emotional response to consequences, without necessarily changing behavior.
Outcome
Leads to salvation, described as 'godly sorrow... not to be repented of.'
'Worldly sorrow worketh death' (2 Corinthians 7:10) - regret alone doesn't save.
Biblical example
The prodigal son 'came to himself' and returned to his father - genuine repentance.
Judas 'repented himself' (felt remorse) yet went and hanged himself rather than turning to God (Matthew 27:3-5).
Scripture References
Godly Sorrow vs. Worldly Sorrow
2 Corinthians 7:1010 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
Paul's clearest statement distinguishing repentance that leads to life from regret that leads to death.
The Prodigal Son Comes to Himself
Luke 15:17-2017 And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my fatherโs have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 19 And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 20 And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
A picture of genuine repentance - not just feeling bad, but actually turning and returning.
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