What is the Greek term for repentance, defined as a change of mind that turns away from sin?

What is the Greek term for repentance, defined as a change of mind that turns away from sin?

• A. metanoia
• B. repentance
• C. metanoia, a change of mind
• D. pistis

Answer: (B)

In biblical Greek, repentance is expressed by metanoia, which literally means a change of mind that leads to a turning away from sin. The word breaks down into meta- (change) and noia (mind), signaling more than regret: it describes a cognitive shift that results in a decisive reorientation of life away from sin and toward God. In practice, metanoia captures the sense of rethinking one’s attitudes toward sin and choosing with new conviction to live in accordance with God’s ways. The other options either refer to the English term for repentance or to related ideas (pistis means faith), but the exact Greek term for this concept is metanoia.

In biblical Greek, repentance is expressed by metanoia, which literally means a change of mind that leads to a turning away from sin. The word breaks down into meta- (change) and noia (mind), signaling more than regret: it describes a cognitive shift that results in a decisive reorientation of life away from sin and toward God. In practice, metanoia captures the sense of rethinking one’s attitudes toward sin and choosing with new conviction to live in accordance with God’s ways. The other options either refer to the English term for repentance or to related ideas (pistis means faith), but the exact Greek term for this concept is metanoia.