ἐπιστροφή

From the study of Acts 15:3

Range of meaning

'A turning around, a return.' In Jewish Greek the verb epistrephō translates Hebrew shuv ('turn, return'), the main Old Testament word for turning back to God. The noun names that act: turning toward something, which also means turning away from something else.

Against the English

'Conversion' is accurate in origin, since Latin conversio also means 'turning'. But modern English 'conversion' usually means switching religions or a moment of personal decision. Here the question in dispute was exactly whether these non-Jews had to become Jews (be circumcised, 15:1, 5). Luke's word describes their turning to God, not their joining Judaism.

How it drifted

The Vulgate's conversio passed into English 'conversion'. Over the centuries the word came to mean changing from one religion to another, and in revivalist tradition a datable inner experience.

Used elsewhere in the period

This is the only use of the noun in the New Testament. The verb is used for non-Jews in Acts 14:15 ('turn from these worthless things to the living God'), 15:19 ('those of the nations who are turning to God'), 26:18 and 20, and 1 Thessalonians 1:9 ('you turned to God from idols'). In the Septuagint the verb translates shuv constantly, e.g. Deuteronomy 30:2 and the prophets' calls to 'return'. Sirach 18:21 uses the noun for turning back to God.