What does it mean to be contrite? What is contrition?

TL;DR:

To be contrite means to humbly recognize and feel deep remorse for our sin, leading us to repentance before God. True contrition opens the door to God’s mercy, who forgives and restores us through Jesus Christ.

what does the bible say?

Contrition is the act of repentance or the state of feeling remorseful. Scripture teaches that God knows people's hearts and whether they are truly humble and repentant. God commanded His people to confess their sin to Him and others (Leviticus 26:40; James 5:16). God declared that, when possible, restitution should be made (Numbers 5:7; Luke 19:1-10; Romans 13:7-8). The Bible teaches that true love for God results in changed behavior (John 14:15; James 1:22; 1 John 5:2-3). However, the Bible doesn’t prescribe just one way to repent, confess, or reconcile. Ultimately, of course, forgiveness is made available through the person and work of Jesus Christ. Because of His death and resurrection, our sins can be forgiven (John 3:16-18, 36). When we humbly recognize our need for Him and turn to Him, our sins are forgiven and we are made new (Ephesians 1:7; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Though we still sin (1 John 1:8–2:2), we can turn to God in contrition and repentance, knowing He will faithfully cleanse and restore us (James 4:1-10; 5:16).

from the old testament

King David had a contrite and repentant heart when the prophet Nathan confronted him about his sin (2 Samuel 12).
David’s psalm of remorse about his sins says, “For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise” (Psalm 51:16-17). David understood the weight of his sin, so he confessed to God because he knew that God welcomes the truly repentant.
God stated through the prophet Isaiah, "...I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite" (Isaiah 57:15). God's desire is to bestow forgiveness and revive the hearts and spirits of those who are humble and repentant.
In Jeremiah 44:10, God expressed to Jeremiah His rebuke of the Judeans living in Egypt: "Yet they have not become contrite even to this day, nor have they feared, nor walked in My Law or My statutes, which I placed before you and before your fathers" (NASB). The passage connects the Judeans’ lack of contrition to their overall disobedience.

from the new testament

In Luke 18:9-13, Jesus relates the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector to emphasize how important contrition and remorse are to our relationship with God. Jesus says about the humble tax collector who showed regret for his sins, “this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other” (v. 14).
In 2 Corinthians 7:10, Paul presents the salvific effect of true repentance: “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.”
God wants people to know Him, turn to Him in humility, and receive forgiveness (2 Peter 3:9).

implications for today

“I’m sorry you feel that way.” Ever heard that kind of “non-apology”? Sadly, it’s all too common in today’s culture. Whether the reason is fear of lawsuits, lack of empathy, or just hubris, it’s a rare public figure who shows true contrition. As believers, though, our apology to God for our sins should put the responsibility where it lies: on us.

By definition, true contrition requires remorse. Remorse requires recognizing our sins rather than trying to justify them. “Yes, I yelled at that driver, but . . . ” – “Sure, I took a ream of paper from the office, but . . . . “ — “I lied on my taxes, but . . . “ The “but” can be whatever excuse we tell ourselves. King David could have tried justifying his sin with Bathsheba by claiming loneliness or the stress of being King or some other excuse. Instead, though, he confessed to the Lord, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4). God’s law forbids adultery and murder, so any transgression against that law is a transgression against God. However, remorse is not the end of contrition. God calls us not only to feel sorry but to repent—to acknowledge our sin for what it is, turn away from it, and desire to live in obedience to Him. Worldly sorrow may stir emotions or guilt, but without repentance, it leads to spiritual death (2 Corinthians 7:10). True contrition produces a change of heart that seeks God's mercy, receives His forgiveness through Christ, and moves forward in renewed obedience.

God showed mercy by making a way for us to be forgiven: Jesus Christ. We don’t magically become sinless when we accept Christ as Savior, but when we do transgress, we know we can turn away from sin and to God for cleansing and restoration (James 4:1-10; 5:16).

understand

Contrition involves humble recognition of sin and sincere remorse.
True contrition leads to repentance and changed behavior.
God responds to contrite hearts with mercy, forgiveness, and restoration through Christ.

reflect

When was the last time you felt true remorse for a specific sin, and how did you respond to God in that moment?
Are there any areas in your life where you’ve been making excuses instead of honestly confessing your sin to God?
How do you typically respond when the Holy Spirit convicts you—do you resist, rationalize, or humbly repent?

engage

Why do we often substitute apology with blame-shifting or shallow regret, and what does it reveal about us?
What does true contrition look like in action, and how can we encourage it in one another without becoming judgmental?
How does understanding God’s mercy in response to our contrition affect the way we approach repentance and confession in community?