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1. meta (μετά). A primary preposition properly denoting accompaniment; amid, together, with, to, when.

2. nous (νοῦς) the intellect, that is, mind (divine or human; in thought, feeling, or will); by implication meaning: - mind, understanding.

Metanoia literally means to come to your senses; to come into your right mind; to intelligently understand.

Use of ‘metanoia’ in classical Greek:

In 198 A.D. Tertullian wrote the following: “In Greek, metanoia is not a confession of sins, but a change of mind.”

The common use of metanoia simply meant to change one’s mind. People or individuals thought in a certain way and made certain decisions, but when they were presented with different or further information, they changed their minds.

Polybius (ca. 208-126 B.C.) used metanoia to refer to the Dardani people, who were on their way to attack Macedonia while Philip, the Ruler of Macedonia, was away with his army. However, Philip heard of it and returned quickly. Even though the Dardani were close to Macedonia, when they heard that Philip was coming, they changed their minds. They broke off the attack before it even began. [1]

Similarly, Plutarch, who lived in the late first and early second century A.D., wrote:

Cypselus, the father of Periander . . . when he was a new-born babe, smiled at the men who had been sent to make away with him, and they turned away. And when again they changed their minds, they sought for him and found him not, for he had been put away in a chest by his mother.

In Classical Greek metanoia meant changing one’s mind about someone or something. For example, Thucydides used the term when writing about the response of the Athenian council to a revolt. The council decided that all of the men of the city of Mytilene were to be put to death--not merely those who participated in the revolt. However, on “the next day a change of heart came over them.” The Athenian council changed its mind. It decided that only those who participated in the rebellion should be put to death. [2]

These and numerous other examples show that metanoia was used when referring to a change of mind. In specific cases a person or group might realise that what they believed before was wrong and caused them to take wrong action. In these cases a change of mind would also imply regret, however, metanoia by itself simply meant a change of mind.

An example from the new testament that demonstrates that metanoia was used in the same sense, is Heb 12:17 which reads: “For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit a blessing, he [Esau] was rejected, for he found no place for metanoia, though he sought it diligently with tears.”

I’ve heard it preached that Esau desperately wanted to repent from his sinful behavior, but could not find a way of doing it! But what is it that Esau could not find? He could not find a way of changing his father’s mind. Isaac blessed Jacob instead of Esau and there was no way he was withdrawing that blessing or changing his mind, no matter how Esau pleaded.

New Testament Metanoia:

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life. (1 John 5:20 NKJV)

The truth about God and man is revealed in Christ. The good news presents man with a whole new way of understanding God and himself. Metanoia, in the context of the gospel, is to come to our senses, to change our thinking in accordance with this revelation. And it is not only the truth about God ... but the truth about man. The true God does not reveal Himself in isolation from man, but as God in whom man finds his true existence.

Luke 15 from verse 11 onwards is a story that so accurately portrays this event of coming to one’s senses.

And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living. And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything. “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’ And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate. (Luke 15:11-24 ESV)

Here we have a guy, who comes from a good family. However, he makes some very unwise decisions, starting with abandoning his family and choosing a lifestyle contrary to his true identity. It is described as a journey into a far country and a lifestyle of reckless living. Eventually he ends up in a very difficult position.

The moment in which he comes to his senses, is described as ‘he came to himself’. It was his memory of his father, his memory of his original identity, that provided the reference and basis upon which he could come to himself. If the pigs den was where he began, he would have no reference to a better life. However, remembering who he really was, was in stark contrast to his experience in the pigs den. This jolted him into action. He could either continue his existence in this false, yet very tangible identity, or he could embrace what he remembered as the truth about himself.

James 1:23 says that whenever a man hears this word, he is like a man that sees the face of his birth as in a mirror.

It actually uses the word ‘genesis’ (γένεσις) - the face of his genesis, his beginning, his origin. The good news declares God’s original thought and unveils our beginning in Him. It is the reality of our beginning in Him, that reminds us of who we really are.

Yes, this might be in great contrast to what we currently experience, but it does not change the truth of our genesis in Him. In fact, it is the very reality of the good news that creates a crisis: do I embrace God’s truth about me, or do I continue to live in my own illusions. The ‘pigs den’ might be a very real experience, but it is based on a false identity. The truth of your origin, the character of your Father, are greater realities - realities that can overcome and completely alter your current experience.

The following scriptures show how the moment of faith and metanoia are one and the same event:

The Lord is ... not willing that any should perish but that all should come to ’metanoia’. (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV)

God ... who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4 NKJV)