μετάνοια (Metanoia)

MEANINGA change of mind that turns the man. Strong's G3341 glosses it '(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal'. The KJV renders it 'repentance'.

GRAMMARG3341, meta (change) + nous (G3563, mind). The Hebrew equivalent is shuv (H7725), to turn back.

SIGNIFICANCEMetanoia is not primarily sorrow (that is a fruit of it, 2 Cor 7:10), and it is not a meritorious work added to faith; it is the about-face that believing is. Chuck Smith glossed it on Acts 17:30 as 'to turn. To turn from their own selfish ways unto Him.' Repentance and faith are two sides of one motion: turning from sin is turning to Christ.

KEY VERSE / SCRIPTURESActs 17:30 (commandeth all men every where to repent); 2 Corinthians 7:10 (godly sorrow worketh repentance).

CROSS-REFERENCESשׁוּב shuv (H7725) · νοῦς nous (G3563) · /answers/metanoia · /answers/what-is-repentance