συνείδησις
the conscience
Definition
Συνείδησις (syneidēsis) primarily means 'conscience'—the inner moral awareness that discerns right from wrong, prompting self-judgment. In the New Testament, it functions as a witness (Romans 2:15), a guide for behavior (Romans 13:5), and can be weak, seared, or clear (1 Corinthians 8:7, 1 Timothy 4:2, Acts 24:16). It is not merely a feeling but a God-given capacity that accuses or excuses, reflecting one's alignment with divine truth.
Biblical Usage
Used 30 times across Pauline letters, Acts, Hebrews, and 1 Peter, often in ethical discussions. Paul employs it to address conflicts over food sacrificed to idols (1 Corinthians 8:7, 10), as a basis for personal integrity (Romans 9:1), and in relation to civil authorities (Romans 13:5). In Acts, it describes a clear conscience before God (Acts 23:1, 24:16), while Hebrews links it to ritual purification (Hebrews 9:9, 10:22).
Etymology
From σύν (syn, 'with') and the root of εἴδησις (eidēsis, 'knowledge'), literally 'knowing with' or 'co-knowledge.' It implies shared knowledge with oneself—a self-awareness of one's moral state. The term was used in classical Greek for moral consciousness but was deepened in the New Testament to include accountability to God.
Semantic Range
Conscience is central to Christian ethics, highlighting human moral responsibility and the need for redemption. It underscores the inward work of the Holy Spirit (Romans 9:1) and the importance of a clear conscience in worship (Hebrews 10:22). Understanding συνείδησις enriches reading by revealing how believers navigate gray areas with love and truth, relying on God's grace to purify conscience through Christ's sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14).
In Greco-Roman culture, conscience was often seen as a philosophical concept of self-reflection. The New Testament adapts it to a theocentric framework, where conscience is accountable to God's law (Romans 2:15) and can be cleansed by Christ, contrasting with pagan views where it was merely a human faculty. This shift emphasizes a transformed inner life in early Christian communities.
καρδία (kardia, G2588) — the heart, as the center of moral and spiritual life, broader than conscience. νοῦς (nous, G3563) — the mind or understanding, focusing on intellectual perception rather than moral judgment.
Word Details
How this works
Definitions are from the Dodson Greek-English Lexicon, a concise public-domain resource suitable for introductory word study. Brief glosses are supplemented by STEPBible TBESG data (CC BY 4.0). For advanced research, standard scholarly references include BDAG (Danker, 3rd ed.) and LSJ.
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