"consciousness, Heb. 10:2; a present idea, persisting notion, impression of reality, 1 Pet. 2:19; conscience, as an inward moral impression of one’s actions and principles, Acts 23:1; 24:16; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; conscience, as the inward faculty of moral judgment, Rom. 2:15; 13:..."
Definition and meaning
consciousness, Heb. 10:2; a present idea, persisting notion, impression of reality, 1 Pet. 2:19; conscience, as an inward moral impression of one’s actions and principles, Acts 23:1; 24:16; Rom. 9:1; 2 Cor. 1:12; conscience, as the inward faculty of moral judgment, Rom. 2:15; 13:5; 1 Cor. 8:7b, 10, 12; 10:25, 27, 28, 29; 2 Cor. 4:2; 5:11; 1 Tim. 1:5, 19; 3:9; 4:2; 2 Tim. 1:3; conscience, as the inward moral and spiritual frame, Tit. 1:15; Heb. 9:9, 14; 10:22; 13:18; 1 Pet. 3:16, 21*
In the original Greek the word is written: συνείδησις
Historical context
John wrote for an audience familiar with both Jewish Scripture and Greek philosophy. The logos — the Word — was a term Greek philosophers used for the rational principle underlying the universe. John takes that concept and says: that logos became a person and lived among us. Crucifixion was the Roman execution method designed to maximize public humiliation, reserved for slaves and rebels.
The people who first heard this word were not reading a book — they were living through empires, oppression, exile, and covenant. Every word carried the weight of that reality. Understanding it changes how you read Scripture.
Scripture references
These are the most notable occurrences of syneidesis (G4893) across the King James Bible.
And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst.
And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled.
For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols;
But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, ye sin against Christ.
Whatsoever is sold in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake:
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Common questions
Strong's G4893 (syneidesis) is a Greek word that means: consciousness, Heb. 10:2; a present idea, persisting notion, impression of reality, 1 Pet. 2:19; conscience, as an inward moral impression of one’s actions and principles, Acts 23:1; 24:16; Rom. 9:1; ... It appears 30 times in the King James Bible.
The word syneidesis (G4893) appears 30 times in the original Greek text.
Strong's G4893 is syneidesis, a Greek word defined as: consciousness, Heb. 10:2; a present idea, persisting notion, impression of reality, 1 Pet. 2:19; conscience, as an inward moral impression of one’s ac. James Strong catalogued this in his 1890 concordance to help English readers study the original languages of the Bible.
syneidesis is a Greek word found in the New Testament.