The NT has a similar situation because of the large number of terms that are used to describe mankind’s “faculty of cognition.” As in the OT the term “heart” (kardia) is sometimes used to represent the concept “mind.” Matthew 13:15 speaks of understanding with the “heart.”

Other words include ennoia, which means “mind” in the sense of “intent,” “arm yourselves also with the same resolve”

Gnome refers to mind in the sense of “purpose” (Rev. 17:13) or “opinion” (Philem. 14)

Noema is also used to denote the mind, especially the “thought process.” Paul said that Israel’s “minds were blinded” so that they could not understand the OT (2 Cor. 3:14; 4:4; 11:3). The word phronema refers to what one has in the mind, the “thought

The mind-set of the flesh is death” (Rom. 8:6 HCSB).

The more common terms for mind, however, are nous and dianoia. Dianoia occurs 12 times in the NT. It refers to “thinking through” or “thinking over” of something or to the “understanding” or “sentiment” which results from that process of reflection. Paul said that in times past we all lived according to the flesh, “carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts” (those things we had already thought over, Eph. 2:3).

Nous is the most prominent term for mind; it occurs 24 times. Nous represents the “seat of understanding,” the place of “knowing and reasoning.” It also includes feeling and deciding. Hence it sometimes includes the counsels and purposes of the mind. An example is Paul’s statement: “Each one must be fully convinced in his own mind” (Rom. 14:5 HCSB). The meaning of purpose is found in Rom. 11:34, which says, “For who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor?”

Mind is sometimes associated with the human soul. Three times in the KJV the word psuche (soul or life) is rendered by the word “mind.” Philippians 1:27 says believers are to be of “one mind (soul).” Hebrews 12:3 urges believers not to “faint in your minds (souls)” (Acts 14:2 also). These passages illustrate the fact that the mind is considered to be the center of the person. However, in Scripture the heart is more often considered to be the center of the human personality. In the OT especially this is true because of the lack of an exact equivalent for mind. The word “heart” fills this void, and the NT follows the practice of the OT very closely. Both mind and heart can be spoken of as the center of a person because in Hebrew thought a person is looked at as a single entity with no attempt to compartmentalize the person into separate parts which act more or less independently of one another. Therefore, the heart, mind, and soul, while in some ways different, are seen as one.

The mind is portrayed oftentimes, especially in the NT, as the center of a person’s ethical nature

The mind can be evil. It is described as “reprobate”

REPROBATE—that which is rejected on account of its own worthlessness

This word is also used with reference to persons cast away or rejected because they have failed to make use of opportunities offered them

“fleshly” (Col. 2:18), “vain” (Eph. 4:17), “corrupt” (1 Tim. 6:5; 2 Tim. 3:8), and “defiled” (Titus 1:15).

On the other hand, three Gospels command us to love God with “all” our mind

This is possible because the mind can be revived and empowered by the Holy Spirit

God’s laws under the new covenant are put into our minds