στρέφω

I turn, am converted, change

Definition

The Greek verb στρέφω (strephō) fundamentally means 'to turn' or 'to change direction.' In the New Testament, it is used both literally for physical turning, as when Jesus turns to look at someone (Luke 7:9, 7:44), and metaphorically for spiritual transformation. A key metaphorical sense is 'to be converted' or to undergo a change of heart and mind toward God, as Jesus states one must 'turn and become like children' to enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3). It can also imply a negative turning away, as when Jesus tells Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man' (Matthew 16:23), which involves turning from God's purpose.

Biblical Usage

στρέφω appears 19 times, primarily in the Gospels (Matthew, Luke, John). Its usage is evenly split between literal/physical actions and figurative/spiritual meanings. Literal examples include turning the other cheek (Matthew 5:39) or turning to address someone. Figurative uses are significant, especially in Matthew 18:3 and Luke 22:32, where it denotes conversion or repentance. In Matthew 16:23, it describes Peter turning to a wrong, human-centered perspective. The word is not used by Paul; its theological usage is concentrated in Jesus's teachings.

Etymology

Derived from the Proto-Indo-European root *streb(h)-, meaning 'to wind, turn.' It is a primary Greek verb for turning or twisting. Cognates include στροφή (strophē, G4762's noun form), meaning 'a turning' or 'a twist.' The word group conveys a broad sense of change in orientation, direction, or state, which informed its application to both physical and spiritual realms in Koine Greek.

Semantic Range

This word is theologically significant as it captures the essential biblical concept of conversion or repentance—a turning from sin and toward God. In Matthew 18:3, Jesus uses it to describe the fundamental change required for entering God's kingdom. Understanding στρέφω enriches reading by highlighting that conversion is not just an internal feeling but an active reorientation of one's entire life and direction, a theme central to the gospel call.

In the ancient Mediterranean world, 'turning' or changing direction could carry strong symbolic weight, representing a shift in allegiance, fortune, or divine favor. The concept of repentance as a 'turning' was present in the Hebrew Scriptures (using the verb שׁוּב, shuv), which the Greek στρέφō effectively translates in a Hellenistic context. This bridges Jewish and Greco-Roman understandings of moral and spiritual transformation.

ἐπιστρέφω (epistrephō, G1994) — emphasizes turning toward or back to, often used for conversion/repentance. μετανοέω (metanoeō, G3340) — focuses on the change of mind or repentance that accompanies turning. τρέπω (trepō, G5157) — a more general, classical term for turning, rarely used in the NT.

Word Details

Scripture References