📖 Biblical Definition
The painful awareness of having failed God or neighbor that drives toward repentance and life — distinguished from worldly shame which drives to despair (2 Cor 7:9-10; Ezek 16:63).
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
Pain at sin that drives to repentance and life.
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The proper, sanctifying response of conscience to sin — painful awareness that drives toward confession, repentance, and life; Paul's 'godly sorrow' that worketh repentance to salvation; distinguished from worldly shame that drives to hiding, despair, and death.
📖 Key Scripture
2 Corinthians 7:10 — "For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
Ezekiel 16:63 — "That thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward thee."
Ezra 9:6 — "O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for our iniquities are increased over our head."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Banished entirely under therapeutic frameworks; Scripture prescribes godly shame as part of repentance.
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The age has banished shame; Scripture distinguishes it. Godly shame is repentance's first step — Ezra blushes before he prays. The cure for godly shame is the gospel's mercy, not the absence of feeling. Reclaim shame as servant of repentance.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew bosh — to be ashamed.
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['Hebrew', 'H954', 'bosh', 'to be ashamed']
['Greek', 'G3077', 'lypē', 'sorrow']
Usage
"Receive godly shame as repentance's first step."
"The gospel turns shame into mercy."