συνείδησις (suneidēsis)
suneidēsis
conscience
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 30 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The Greek noun suneidēsis refers to an inner awareness that judges one’s own thoughts and actions as morally good or bad. Its root combines a prefix meaning “with” and a word for “knowing,” suggesting a shared knowledge between the self and its own conduct. In secular Greek, it simply meant consciousness or awareness of any fact, but in the New Testament it takes on a specific ethical weight.
Scripture describes this inner witness using various adjectives to show its condition. Paul speaks of a “good conscience” (1 Timothy 1:5), while also warning about a “weak conscience” that can be damaged by certain actions (1 Corinthians 8:7). The book of Hebrews contrasts a “defiled” conscience with one “cleansed” by Christ’s sacrifice (Hebrews 9:14; 10:22), highlighting the word’s role in spiritual health.
Although the concept appears in Jewish wisdom literature, the New Testament usage shows strong influence from Greek philosophical thought, particularly Stoicism. Translators consistently render it as “conscience,” capturing the idea of a self-judging faculty that commends right conduct and condemns wrong, serving as an internal moral compass for believers.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word for conscience describes an inner awareness that judges our thoughts and actions. It is not a voice from outside, but a witness within. When we act with integrity, this inner sense brings peace. When we harm others or ignore what we know is right, it brings discomfort. This design helps us align our lives with God’s truth.
Scripture shows that conscience can be strong or weak, pure or defiled. In 1 Timothy 1:5, Paul links a good conscience to love and sincere faith. This suggests that moral clarity grows from a heart committed to God. It is not about perfection, but about honesty before Him.
Hebrews 9:14 offers hope for those burdened by past mistakes. The blood of Christ cleanses the conscience from dead works. This means we do not have to carry guilt forever. We can serve the living God with a clear heart, trusting in His grace rather than our own performance.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 30 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- conscience14×
- conscience;3×
- conscience,3×
- a conscience3×
- conscience.2×
- of a conscience1×
- consciences1×
- conscience?1×
- a conscience.1×
- [the] conscience1×
- [16] a conscience1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- συνείδησιν10×
- συνειδήσεως6×
- συνείδησιν·3×
- συνείδησις2×
- συνείδησιν,2×
- συνείδησις.1×
- συνείδησιν.1×
- συνειδήσεώς1×
- συνειδήσεως;1×
- συνειδήσεσιν1×
- συνειδήσει.1×
- συνειδήσει,1×
Key Verses
-
Hebrews 9:14
how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without defect to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
This verse highlights the unique power of Christ’s sacrifice to cleanse the inner moral sense, freeing believers from guilt to serve God.
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Acts 24:16
In this I also practice always having a conscience void of offense toward God and men.
Paul describes his lifelong practice of keeping his conscience clear before both God and people, demonstrating the value of consistent integrity.
-
Romans 2:15
in that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience testifying with them, and their thoughts among themselves accusing or else excusing them)
This passage explains that conscience acts as an internal witness, accusing or excusing thoughts, showing its universal role in moral awareness.