Antioquia

Greek word · Strong G3341

What does Metanoia mean?

Metanoia is the Greek word translated “repentance”. Literally it means “a change of mind”: meta, change, and nous, mind. In the Bible it is not just feeling sorry, but turning around — changing the way one thinks and lives, toward God.

μετάνοια

metánoia · transliteration

In Strong’s lexicon
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
In the King James
  • repentance24
Appears in
24 verses

See the full G3341 entry →Also in the lexicon: G3340 μετανοέω

The meaning of Metanoia in the Bible

It is the message with which John the Baptist and Jesus begin to preach: “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2), with the verb metanoeo (G3340). The noun appears in 24 verses, and John asks for “fruits meet for repentance” (Matthew 3:8): the change within shows without.

Paul distinguishes the sorrow that leads to metanoia from the sorrow that only weighs down: “godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation” (2 Corinthians 7:10). And the New Testament presents it as a gift, not a merit: it is God who grants repentance (Acts 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25).

Where Metanoia appears

2 Corinthians 7:10

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between repentance and remorse?
Remorse is pain over what one has done; metanoia is the change of mind and direction that follows, turning toward God.
Does metanoia just mean changing your mind?
Its literal sense is a change of mind, but in the New Testament the word involves the whole person: acknowledging sin, leaving it, and turning to God in faith.

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