Understanding ἀναστρέφω (anastrephō) Strong’s G390: The Transformative Power of Turning Back to God and Living a Life That Reflects His Character

Pronunciation Guide: an-as-tref’-o (ἀν-ας-τρέφ-ω)

Basic Definition

Strong’s G390: ἀναστρέφω (anastrephō) fundamentally means “to turn upside down, to turn back, or to conduct oneself in a particular manner.” In its broader New Testament usage, it carries the rich meaning of how one conducts their life or behaves in relation to God and others. This word paints a vivid picture of both physical turning and, more importantly, the spiritual reorientation of one’s life toward God.

Etymology and Morphology

• Compound word from ἀνά (up, again) + στρέφω (to turn)
• Primary verb
• Used in both literal and metaphorical contexts
• Appears in narrative and epistolary literature
• Common in ethical instruction passages

ἀναστρέφω Morphology:

• ἀναστρέφω (present active indicative) – I turn back/conduct myself
• ἀναστρέφει (present active indicative, 3rd person) – he/she turns back/conducts oneself
• ἀναστρέφειν (present active infinitive) – to turn back/to conduct oneself
• ἀνεστράφην (aorist passive indicative) – I was turned back/conducted
• ἀναστραφέντες (aorist passive participle) – having been turned back/having conducted

Origin & History

The word ἀναστρέφω has deep roots in classical Greek literature, where it initially carried the physical meaning of “turning something upside down” or “returning to a place.” Xenophon used it in his “Anabasis” to describe troops turning back from battle. In the Septuagint (LXX), it appears in Genesis 8:7 describing the raven that Noah released “going to and fro” until the waters dried up.

In Hellenistic Greek, the word evolved to encompass moral and ethical behavior. Polybius (2nd century BCE) employed it to describe one’s manner of life or conduct in society. This semantic development carried forward into New Testament usage, where it became a significant term for Christian behavior and lifestyle.

Expanded Definitions & Translation Options

• To physically turn back or return to a previous position
• To conduct oneself in a particular manner, especially in ethical behavior
• To live or dwell in a place with particular reference to behavior
• To overturn or upset (in its literal sense)

ἀναστρέφω Translation Options:

• “to conduct oneself” – Best for contexts discussing Christian behavior and lifestyle
• “to turn back” – Appropriate for physical movement contexts
• “to live” – Suitable when emphasizing habitual behavior or lifestyle
• “to move about” – Useful for contexts of physical presence in a location
• “to overturn” – Reserved for literal uses of physical upheaval

Biblical Usage

In the New Testament, ἀναστρέφω appears 11 times, predominantly in the epistles where it describes Christian conduct and lifestyle. The word’s first appearance in Matthew 17:22 uses it in its physical sense of moving about in a region, but this usage gives way to more metaphorical applications in the epistles.

The metaphorical usage becomes particularly significant in Peter’s letters, where it becomes a key term for describing the distinctive lifestyle of believers. This shift from physical to ethical meaning reflects the early church’s emphasis on transformed behavior as evidence of genuine faith.

Key verses include:

• “While they were gathering together [ἀναστρεφομένων] in Galilee…” Matthew 17:22
• “We conducted ourselves [ἀνεστράφημεν] in the world.” 2 Corinthians 1:12
• “How you ought to conduct yourselves [ἀναστρέφεσθαι] in the household of God.” 1 Timothy 3:15
• “Conduct yourselves [ἀναστράφητε] with fear.” 1 Peter 1:17
• “Your good conduct [ἀναστροφῆς] in Christ.” 1 Peter 3:16

Cultural Insights

In ancient Jewish culture, the concept of “walking” (הָלַךְ, halakh) was fundamental to describing one’s way of life and relationship with God. The Greek ἀναστρέφω often serves as a parallel to this Hebrew concept in the Septuagint, carrying forward this rich cultural understanding of lifestyle as a journey or path.

The word gained particular significance in the Hellenistic world where philosophical schools emphasized the importance of proper conduct (ἀναστροφή) as a demonstration of one’s philosophical commitments. Early Christians adapted this cultural framework to express how faith in the Messiah should manifest in daily behavior.

Theological Significance

The use of ἀναστρέφω in the New Testament reflects a profound theological truth: genuine faith in the Messiah Jesus results in a complete reorientation of one’s life. This “turning” is not merely a change of opinion or belief but encompasses a total transformation of behavior and lifestyle.

The word’s connection to both physical turning and ethical conduct beautifully illustrates the holistic nature of biblical repentance. When we turn to God, we don’t simply change our minds; we literally reorient our entire way of living to align with His character and commands.

This word choice by the apostles emphasizes that following the Messiah isn’t about isolated religious activities but about a comprehensive lifestyle that reflects His lordship in every area of life. It speaks to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in making us new creations in Christ.

Personal Application

When we understand ἀναστρέφω, we’re challenged to examine how thoroughly our faith impacts our daily conduct. Are we merely practicing religious activities, or has our encounter with the living God resulted in a complete reorientation of our lives?

This word calls us to consider how our behavior in every sphere—family, work, church, society—reflects our claimed allegiance to the Messiah. It reminds us that authentic faith isn’t compartmentalized but transforms every aspect of how we “move about” in the world.

Related Words

• περιπατέω (peripateō) – to walk around, conduct one’s life – A more common NT word for Christian conduct emphasizing progressive movement See G4043
• στρέφω (strephō) – to turn, change direction – The root word focusing on the act of turning See G4762
• μετανοέω (metanoeō) – to change one’s mind, repent – Emphasizes the mental aspect of turning from sin See G3340
• πολιτεύομαι (politeuomai) – to live as a citizen – Emphasizes conduct as a member of a community See G4176

Did you Know?

• The word ἀναστρέφω is still used in modern Greek to mean “to overturn” or “to frequent a place,” showing remarkable consistency with its ancient meanings over thousands of years.
• In early Christian catacomb inscriptions, forms of ἀναστρέφω were used to describe the deceased’s manner of life, indicating how central this concept was to early Christian identity.
• The metaphorical use of ἀναστρέφω to describe behavior parallels similar developments in many languages where words for physical movement come to describe moral conduct (like English “to conduct oneself” from Latin conducere, originally meaning “to lead together”).

Remember This

ἀναστρέφω reminds us that true faith in the Messiah doesn’t just change our destination—it completely reorients our journey through life.