Original Word: ἔννοια
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: ennoia
Pronunciation: EN-noy-ah
Phonetic Spelling: (en'-noy-ah)
KJV: intent, mind
NASB: intentions, purpose
Word Origin: [from a compound of G1722 (ἔν - among) and G3563 (νοῦς - mind)]

1. thoughtfulness, i.e. moral understanding

intent, mind.

From a compound of en and nous; thoughtfulness, i.e. Moral understanding -- intent, mind.

see GREEK en

see GREEK nous

1771 énnoia (from 1722 /en, "engaged in," which intensifies 3563 /noús, "mind") – properly, the "engaged mind," i.e. what a person (literally) has "in-mind" (BAGD, "insight"); settled (thought-out) opinions, attitudes.

Word Origin
from en and nous
Definition
thinking, thoughtfulness, i.e. moral understanding
NASB Translation
intentions (1), purpose (1).

STRONGS NT 1771: ἔννοια

ἔννοια, ἐννοίας, ἡ (νοῦς);

1. the act of thinking, consideration, meditation; (Xenophon, Plato, others).

2. a thought, notion, conception; (Plato, Phaedo, p. 73 c., etc.; especially in philosophical writings, as Cicero, Tusc. 1, 24, 57; Acad. 2, 7 and 10; Epictetus diss. 2, 11, 2f, etc.; Plutarch, plac. philos. 4, 11, 1; (Diogenes Laërtius 3, 79).

3. mind, understanding, will; manner of thinking and feeling; German Gesinnung (Euripides, Hel. 1026; Diodorus 2, 30 variant; τοιαύτην ἔννοιαν ἐμποίειν τίνι, Isocrates, p. 112 d.; τήρησον τήν ἐμήν βουλήν καί ἔννοιαν, Proverbs 3:21; φυλάσσειν ἔννοιαν ἀγαθήν, Proverbs 5:2): so 1 Peter 4:1; plural with καρδίας added (as in Proverbs 23:19), Hebrews 4:12 (A. V. intents of the heart), cf. Wis. 2:14.

Semantic Scope

The term signifies the settled inner outlook that shapes choices and conduct. It is deeper than passing thoughts and broader than mere cognition, touching the moral disposition, purpose, and resolve residing in the heart.

Occurrences in Scripture

1 Peter 4:1 employs the noun in the exhortation, “arm yourselves also with the same attitude,” urging believers to adopt Christ’s decisive mindset toward suffering and sin. Hebrews 4:12 declares that the living Word pierces “to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart,” revealing that even this hidden sphere lies open to divine scrutiny.

Biblical Anthropology

Ennoia identifies the invisible center where moral deliberation occurs. Scripture presents humans as unified beings whose outward deeds flow from inward determinations (Proverbs 4:23; Mark 7:21-23). By highlighting this realm, the New Testament asserts personal responsibility; sin is not accidental but incubated in conscious purpose (James 1:14-15).

Relation to the Word of God

Hebrews 4:12 shows that God’s Word reaches beyond behavior to evaluate ennoia. Preaching and personal reading are therefore never merely informational; they expose and reform the believer’s deepest intentions (Psalm 139:23-24; John 17:17). Pastoral ministry must rely on Scripture’s penetrating authority rather than psychological technique alone.

Christ-Centered Transformation

1 Peter connects ennoia directly to Christ’s passion. The believer is commanded to “arm” himself with the Savior’s resolve, implying that holy living begins by embracing the Lord’s perspective on suffering and sanctification (Philippians 2:5; Romans 12:2). Spiritual warfare is fought first in the realm of intent before it is waged in outward action.

Historical Reception

Early church writers saw the term as evidence for the soul’s accountability. Athanasius cited Hebrews 4:12 to argue that no human reasoning can hide from God’s omniscient Word. Reformers likewise used the passage to defend sola Scriptura, insisting that only Scripture can rightly discern and direct the inward ennoia.

Practical Ministry Implications

• Preachers should aim at the listener’s ennoia, calling for heart-level repentance, not merely external compliance.
• Counselors must probe motives with Scripture, confident that genuine change starts where ennoia is surrendered to Christ.
• Personal discipleship should include memorizing and meditating on the Word, allowing it to reshape intentions daily (Joshua 1:8).

Doctrinal Integration

The concept safeguards doctrines of human depravity and divine grace: the fall corrupts ennoia (Genesis 6:5), yet regeneration renews it (Ephesians 4:23-24). Final judgment will assess not only deeds but also intentions (1 Corinthians 4:5), making the gospel’s promise of a cleansed heart indispensable.

Summary

Ennoia spotlights the battlefield of intention where sin is conceived and holiness is forged. Scripture both diagnoses and transforms this hidden arena, calling believers to align their inner resolve with the crucified and risen Christ, whose mindset secures victory over sin and equips His people for faithful suffering and service.

έννοια εννοιαν έννοιαν ἔννοιαν εννοίας εννοιων εννοιών ἐννοιῶν ennoian énnoian ennoion ennoiôn ennoiōn ennoiō̂nInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts