Greek word · G1106

γνώμη

gnōmē

resolution

Mind or purpose; a considered opinion or judgment; advice or counsel offered in deliberation; consent (Phlm 14); a decision or decree (Acts 20:3; Rev 17:13, 17).

Appears 9 times in 8 verses of the Greek New Testament. · Updated November 01, 2026

What it means

γνώμη, -ης, ἡ

(γιγνώσκω), [in LXX: Daniel 2:15 (דָּת), Psalm 83:3 (סוֹד), elsewhere, chiefly II Es, for טְעֵם ;]

1. a means of knowing, a token (Theogn.).

2. In Attic writers, the mind, its operations and results (see Edwards, Lex., App., A);

(a) mind, understanding;

(b) purpose, intention: Acts 20:3;

(with) judgment, opinion: 1 Corinthians 1:10, Revelation 17:13;

(d) counsel, advice: 1 Corinthians 7:25, 40 2 Corinthians 8:10, Phm 14;

(e) royal purpose, decree (as in Da, I and II Es): Revelation 17:17 (Cremer, 671).

† (AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of 1 Corinthians 7:25

Range of meaning: Mind or purpose; a considered opinion or judgment; advice or counsel offered in deliberation; consent (Phlm 14); a decision or decree (Acts 20:3; Rev 17:13, 17).
Against the English: NASB 'opinion' can sound like a casual personal view to modern ears. 'Judgment' (BSB, NIV, ESV, KJV) is closer: the reasoned verdict of someone qualified to give one. The Vulgate's consilium ('counsel') captures the function, advice that is not binding.
How it drifted: In modern English 'just my opinion' suggests something subjective that can be ignored. In Greek assembly speech, giving one's gnōmē meant formally putting forward a reasoned proposal for others to weigh.
Used elsewhere in the period: Classical deliberative usage, e.g. in Thucydides speakers 'declare their gnōmē' in the assembly. Paul uses 'I give my gnōmē in this' at 2 Cor 8:10 for advice about the collection, and 'in my gnōmē' at 1 Cor 7:40, followed by 'and I think that I too have the Spirit of God.'

From the study of 1 Corinthians 1:10

Range of meaning: Opinion, view, judgment; purpose, intention, resolve; a decision or resolution (of a council or assembly); advice.
Against the English: KJV/ESV/NASB 'judgment' can suggest condemning or a court verdict. NIV 'thought' is too general. BSB 'conviction' and NLT 'purpose' each catch part of it. The word covers both a considered opinion and the purpose that flows from it.
Used elsewhere in the period: Paul uses it for his considered 'opinion' (1 Cor 7:25, 40; 2 Cor 8:10) and for 'consent' (Philem 14). In Rev 17:13, 17 it means a shared 'purpose' of kings. In Greek civic usage it was the formal resolution of a council or people.

From the study of Revelation 17:17

Range of meaning: From the root for 'knowing'. It means: (1) a mind that has been made up, a decision or resolve; (2) an opinion or judgement someone gives; (3) a purpose or plan; (4) a formal decision or decree, like a council's resolution. It is about deciding and intending, not about feeling.
Against the English: KJV gives 'his will' and then 'agree'; BSB 'His purpose' and 'uniting'; WEB 'what he has in mind' and 'of one mind'; YLT 'its mind' and 'one mind'. Most versions use two different English words, so readers miss that Greek uses the same word twice.
How it drifted: Modern English often hears 'will' (KJV) as a wish or preference. Gnōmē is firmer than that: a decided plan.
Used elsewhere in the period: In the New Testament it means a considered opinion (1 Cor 7:25, 40; 2 Cor 8:10), consent (Philem 14), and a decision (Acts 20:3, 'he decided'). In Greek civic language it was used for a council's resolution. In Revelation it appears only at 17:13 ('these have one gnōmē') and twice here.

Where it appears

Acts · 1

Acts 20:3 γνώμης a purpose

where he stayed three months. And when the Jews formed a plot against him as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to go back through Macedonia.

1 Corinthians · 3

1 Corinthians 1:10 γνώμῃ.¶ judgment.

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction.

Here: A considered view or decision, the settled purpose people act on. In civic language it was the 'mind' or resolution of an assembly. Paired with 'mind,' it covers both outlook and practical intent.
1 Corinthians 7:25 γνώμην judgment

Now about virgins, I have no command from the Lord, but I give a judgment as one who by the Lord’s mercy is trustworthy.

Here: A considered judgment or piece of advice offered for others to weigh. It is placed first, set against 'command': counsel instead of an order, not a passing personal preference.
1 Corinthians 7:40 γνώμην· judgment;

In my judgment, however, she is happier if she remains as she is. And I think that I too have the Spirit of God.

2 Corinthians · 1

2 Corinthians 8:10 γνώμην a judgment

And this is my opinion about what is helpful for you in this matter: Last year you were the first not only to give, but even to have such a desire.

Here: A considered judgment or piece of advice, the kind a trusted adviser gives to an assembly. It is set against a command (verse 8). It is weighty counsel, not a passing personal preference.

Philemon · 1

Philemon 1:14 γνώμης consent

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that your goodness will not be out of compulsion, but by your own free will.

Revelation · 3

Revelation 17:13 γνώμην mind

These kings have one purpose: to yield their power and authority to the beast.

Here: Not a shared outlook but a settled decision or policy, the kind of word used for a council's resolution. Verse 17 says God put it into their hearts to carry out *his* gnōmē by forming this one gnōmē of theirs.
Revelation 17:17 γνώμην γνώμην purpose

For God has put it into their hearts to carry out His purpose by uniting to give their kingdom to the beast, until the words of God are fulfilled.

Here: A settled decision or plan, the 'mind' someone has made up. Here it is most likely God's decided plan.

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.