σύνοιδα (sunoida)
sunoida
be conscious of
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb sunoida carries the sense of being fully aware or conscious of something, often with a specific focus on one’s own moral standing. Its core meaning involves sharing knowledge, but in the New Testament it frequently turns inward, describing a person’s internal awareness of their actions or conscience. This usage appears in contexts where an individual assesses their own integrity before God or others.
A key example is found in 1 Corinthians 4:4, where Paul states he knows nothing against himself. Here, the word highlights a clear conscience rather than absolute sinlessness; it denotes a sincere awareness of one’s conduct that does not reveal guilt. The term connects to the idea of being privy to truth about oneself, distinguishing it from mere intellectual knowledge by emphasizing personal conviction.
Etymologically, sunoida combines the prefix syn- (together) with oida (to know), literally meaning "to know together" or "share in knowledge." This root structure underscores the relational aspect of conscience—knowing alongside others or being jointly aware of a reality. In Scripture, this shared awareness often underpins ethical accountability and the transparency required in Christian community life.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word sunoida invites us to look inward with honesty. It describes a clear conscience where you are fully aware of your own actions and intentions. This internal awareness is not about claiming perfection, but about living with integrity before God. When Paul uses this term, he shows that even a clean conscience does not replace the Lord’s final judgment.
For your daily life, this means you can rest in the truth that God sees your heart. You do not need to hide behind a mask of righteousness. Instead, you can bring your sincere efforts and honest struggles into His light. This shared knowledge with God fosters a deep sense of peace, knowing He understands your motives better than anyone else ever could.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- I have been conscious of;1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- σύνοιδα·1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 4:4
For I know nothing against myself. Yet I am not justified by this, but he who judges me is the Lord.
Paul uses this word to show that personal integrity is valuable but insufficient for justification, which belongs solely to the Lord.