Lexical Summary epistrephó: To turn, to return, to turn back, to convert Original Word: ἐπιστρέφω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance come again, convert, return. From epi and strepho; to revert (literally, figuratively or morally) -- come (go) again, convert, (re-)turn (about, again). see GREEK epi see GREEK strepho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom epi and strephó Definition to turn, to return NASB Translation back (2), back* (3), return (6), returned (3), returns (2), take back (1), turn (8), turn back (1), turned (6), turned again (1), turned around (1), turning (2), turning around (2), turns (2), turns...back (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1994: ἐπιστρέφωἐπιστρέφω; future ἐπιστρέψω; 1 aorist ἐπέστρεψα; 2 aorist passive ἐπεστραφην; from Homer down; the Sept. for הָפַך, סָבַב and הֵסֵב, פָּנָה, and times without number for שׁוּב and הֵשִׁיב; 1. transitively, a. to turn to: ἐπί τόν Θεόν, to the worship of the true God, Acts 26:20. b. to cause to return, to bring back; figuratively, τινα ἐπί κύριον τόν Θεόν, to the love and obedience of God, Luke 1:16; ἐπί τέκνα, to love for the children, Luke 1:17; ἐν φρονήσει δικαίων, that they may be in (R. V. to walk in) the wisdom of the righteous, Luke 1:17; τινα ἐπί τινα, supply from the context ἐπί τήν ἀλήθειαν and ἐπί τήν ὁδόν, James 5:19f. 2. intransitive, (Winers Grammar, § 38, 1 (compare p. 26; Buttmann, 144 (126f))); a. to turn, to turn oneself: ἐπί τόν κύριον and ἐπί τόν Θεόν, of Gentiles passing over to the religion of Christ, Acts 9:35; Acts 11:21; Acts 14:15; Acts 15:19; Acts 26:20, cf. 1 Peter 2:25; πρός τί, Acts 9:40; πρός τόν Θεόν, 1 Thessalonians 1:9; 2 Corinthians 3:16; ἀπό τίνος εἰς τί, Acts 26:18. b. to turn oneself about, turn back: absolutely, Acts 16:18; followed by an infinitive expressing purpose, Revelation 1:12. c. to return, turn back, come back; α. properly: Luke 2:20 Rec.; b. to return: followed by πρός (WH text ἐπί) τινα, Matthew 10:13 (on which passage see εἰρήνη, 3 at the end); ἐπί τόν Θεόν, 1 Peter 2:25 (see 2 a. above); to return to a better mind, repent, John 12:40 (R G). The verb denotes a decisive change of direction—physically, mentally, or spiritually. Whether describing a bodily pivot (John turned, Revelation 1:12) or the heart’s movement toward God (Acts 3:19), every use carries the sense that one reality is left behind and another embraced. Repentance and Conversion to God Luke records the missionary keynote: “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19). Similar evangelistic calls appear in Acts 14:15; 26:18, 20; 15:19 and resonate in Paul’s testimony about the Thessalonians: “You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Here the verb marks the initial response to the gospel—an act of God-wrought repentance that shifts allegiance from idols, sin, or darkness to the Lord Jesus Christ. Restoration of Straying Believers Jesus reassures Simon, “And you, when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers” (Luke 22:32). James highlights the church’s duty: “Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death” (James 5:20). The same verb undergirds both the shepherd’s pursuit of the stray sheep (Matthew 18:12-14, implied) and a congregation’s ministry of gentle correction (Galatians 6:1, conceptually related). Conversion, therefore, is not a one-time event only; it also describes believers’ ongoing restoration to full fellowship. Warnings against Apostasy Negative turns supply sober contrast. A dog “returns to its vomit” (2 Peter 2:22), an unclean spirit “returns to my house” (Matthew 12:44), and hardened hearts refuse to “turn so that I would heal them” (Matthew 13:15; Mark 4:12; Acts 28:27). Scripture thereby exposes the peril of reversing course after light has been received. Physical Turning as Literary Signal Writers often use the verb to mark a change in viewpoint that reveals glory or truth. John “turned to see the voice that was speaking” (Revelation 1:12) and beholds the exalted Christ. Jesus Himself “turned and looked at His disciples” before rebuking Peter (Mark 8:33), and the resurrected Lord “turned” when the woman touched His cloak (Mark 5:30). Such moments punctuate narratives, directing readers to pay close attention to ensuing revelation. Old Testament Background Greek ἐπιστρέφω consistently renders Hebrew שׁוּב (shub) in the Septuagint, tying the New Testament idea to prophetic calls like “Return to Me… and I will return to you” (Zechariah 1:3). Thus, apostolic preaching continues the covenant summons for Israel—and the nations—to turn to the Lord. Missionary Commission Paul’s pattern was to “turn” back through planted churches (Acts 15:36) as part of follow-up, illustrating that evangelism and pastoral care are inseparable. Barnabas sees the “hand of the Lord” when “a great number turned to the Lord” in Antioch (Acts 11:21). Mission strategy, therefore, measures fruit by genuine turning rather than mere profession. Covenantal Promise and Eschatology John the Baptist’s ministry “will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16-17), preparing the way for Messiah. Peter references national turning in Acts 3:19–21, linking Israel’s repentance to the “times of refreshing” and the return of Christ. Future hope is inseparable from present turning. Veil Removed in Christ “When one turns to the Lord, the veil is removed” (2 Corinthians 3:16). Here the verb marks the Spirit’s work in unveiling Christ’s glory, contrasting the old covenant’s obscurity with the new covenant’s clarity. Conversion is thus the portal into beholding and reflecting the Lord’s image (2 Corinthians 3:18). Pastoral Application 1. Proclaim the gospel so that hearers may turn from idols to God (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Summary Strong’s Greek 1994 depicts the pivotal act of reorientation—away from sin, darkness, or error and toward God, truth, and life. Whether marking the moment of conversion, the process of sanctification, or dramatic narrative turns, the verb underscores Scripture’s persistent invitation: “Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 45:22, background). Englishman's Concordance Matthew 10:13 V-AMP-3SGRK: πρὸς ὑμᾶς ἐπιστραφήτω NAS: it is not worthy, take back your [blessing of] peace. KJV: let your peace return to you. INT: to you let return Matthew 12:44 V-FIA-1S Matthew 13:15 V-ASA-3P Matthew 24:18 V-AMA-3S Mark 4:12 V-ASA-3P Mark 5:30 V-APP-NMS Mark 8:33 V-APP-NMS Mark 13:16 V-AMA-3S Luke 1:16 V-FIA-3S Luke 1:17 V-ANA Luke 2:39 V-AIA-3P Luke 8:55 V-AIA-3S Luke 17:4 V-ASA-3S Luke 17:31 V-AMA-3S Luke 22:32 V-APA-NMS John 21:20 V-APP-NMS Acts 3:19 V-AMA-2P Acts 9:35 V-AIA-3P Acts 9:40 V-APA-NMS Acts 11:21 V-AIA-3S Acts 14:15 V-PNA Acts 15:19 V-PPA-DMP Acts 15:36 V-APA-NMP Acts 16:18 V-APA-NMS Acts 26:18 V-ANA Strong's Greek 1994 |
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