Lexical Summary metastrephó: To change, to alter, to pervert, to turn Original Word: μεταστρέφω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pervert, turn. From meta and strepho; to turn across, i.e. Transmute or (figuratively) corrupt -- pervert, turn. see GREEK meta see GREEK strepho NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom meta and strephó Definition to turn (about), to pervert NASB Translation distort (1), turned (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3344: μεταστρέφωμεταστρέφω: 1 aorist infinitive μεταστρέψαι; passive, 2 aorist imperative 3 person singular μεταστραφήτω; 2 future μεταστραφήσομαι; from Homer down; the Sept. for הָפַך; to turn about, turn around (cf. μετά, III. 2): τί εἰς τί (to turn one thing into another), passive, Acts 2:20 (from Joel 2:31); James 4:9 (cf. Buttmann, 52 (46): (WH text μετατρέπω, which see)); equivalent to to pervert, corrupt, τί (Sir. 11:31; Aristotle, rhet. 1, 15, 24 (cf. 30 and 3, 11, 6)): Galatians 1:7. Topical Lexicon Semantic Nuance and ImageryThis verb portrays a decisive change of condition or orientation, whether physical, moral, or emotional. It is not a mild adjustment but a reversal so marked that the final state is recognizably different from the first. Scripture employs it to describe cosmic upheaval, doctrinal distortion, and personal repentance—each instance underscoring God’s concern that what He ordains remain uncorrupted and rightly aligned with His purpose. Occurrences in the New Testament Acts 2:20 records the Spirit-given prophecy that “the sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood,” an eschatological sign revealing the Creator’s sovereign power to overturn the natural order when redemptive history reaches its climax. Galatians 1:7 laments that “there are some who are troubling you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.” Here the term exposes the gravity of altering the saving message: any corruption of the apostolic gospel constitutes rebellion against the Lord who gave it (Galatians 1:8-9). James 4:9 urges sinners to “grieve, mourn, and weep. Turn your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom.” The dramatic emotional reversal mirrors genuine contrition before God, an essential step toward humble dependence and restored fellowship (James 4:10). Theological Significance 1. Divine prerogative to overturn creation (Acts 2:20) affirms both God’s power and His fidelity to prophetic revelation. Cosmic change becomes a backdrop for the unchanging promise of salvation. 2. Doctrinal integrity safeguarded (Galatians 1:7). The word warns that altering the gospel is not innovation but desecration. Subsequent church history confirms how departures from apostolic teaching yield spiritual ruin (compare Jude 3-4). 3. Personal repentance demanded (James 4:9). The inward “turning” of emotions signals a heart reoriented to God’s holiness. True revival begins with this reversal of attitude. Together these uses reveal a consistent biblical ethic: what God designs, whether creation, doctrine, or the human heart, must not be twisted but may be dramatically turned by Him toward redemption. Historical and Intertestamental Background In the Septuagint the verb frequently renders Hebrew phrases for overturning cities or subverting counsel (for example, Genesis 19:21; 2 Samuel 15:31). First-century Jews and Gentiles alike would thus hear echoes of divine judgment and radical change when the apostles employed the term. By the time of the New Testament, the word carried both the sense of ruin (as in Galatians) and transformation (as in James), sharpening its polemical edge against false teachers. Ministry Applications • Guard the gospel. Leaders must resist every attempt to “turn” the good news into moralism, legalism, or license. Thorough catechesis and careful exposition keep congregations anchored. • Cultivate repentant hearts. Preaching that prompts godly sorrow (James 4:9-10; 2 Corinthians 7:10) prepares believers for renewed joy. Corporate worship should allow space for such holy reversals. • Proclaim eschatological hope. The same Lord who can darken the sun (Acts 2:20) will also “make all things new” (Revelation 21:5). Teaching on end-time signs should lead to evangelistic urgency and steadfast faith. Related Biblical Themes Change and reversal permeate Scripture: the proud scattered and the humble lifted (Luke 1:52), the last becoming first (Mark 10:31), mourning turned to dancing (Psalm 30:11). The vocabulary of 3344 thus contributes to a larger biblical tapestry in which God overthrows sin and establishes His righteous order. Forms and Transliterations μεταστραφησεται μεταστραφήσεται μεταστραφήσονται μεταστραφήτω μεταστρέφω μεταστρέφων μεταστρεψαι μεταστρέψαι μεταστρέψω μεταστροφή μετατραπητω μετατραπήτω μετεστράφη μετεστράφησαν μετέστρεψε μετέστρεψεν metastraphesetai metastraphēsetai metastraphḗsetai metastrepsai metastrépsai metatrapeto metatrapētō metatrapḗto metatrapḗtōLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Acts 2:20 V-FIP-3SGRK: ὁ ἥλιος μεταστραφήσεται εἰς σκότος NAS: THE SUN WILL BE TURNED INTO DARKNESS KJV: The sun shall be turned into darkness, INT: The sun will be turned into darkness Galatians 1:7 V-ANA James 4:9 V-AMP-3S Strong's Greek 3344 |