New Man, New Year
What does “newness” really mean?
2 Types of “new” in the New Testament
• 3501- neos- new in time, recently come into existence
• 2537- kainos- new in quality, distinct from that which is old, worn out
– Thayer- as to form- recently made, superior to what it succeeds
– Thayer- as to substance- of a new kind, uncommon, unheard of
Usage of kainos in the New Testament
And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the
unclean spirits, and they obey him.” (Mark 1:27 ESV)
And they took him and brought him to the Areopagus, saying, “May we know what this new
teaching is that you are presenting? (Acts 17:19 ESV)
New teaching? Uncommon, unheard of, a new kind
Usage of kainos in the New Testament
Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, who has made us
sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.
(2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV)
New covenant? In quality, superior to what’s succeeded
Usage of kainos in the New Testament
…for this is my blood of the (new) covenant, which is poured out for many for the
forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28 ESV)
In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new
covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” (1
Corinthians 11:25 ESV)
New covenant? In quality, superior to what’s succeeded
Usage of kainos in the New Testament
“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord,when I will establish a new covenant
with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, (Hebrews 8:8 ESV)
Therefore he is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the
promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred that redeems them from the
transgressions committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15 ESV)
New covenant? In quality, superior to what’s succeeded
Usage of kainos in the New Testament
But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13 ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold,
the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
In quality, superior to what’s succeeded
Then there’s the kainos man
• Man- aner- male person• Man- anthropos- race, whole man, every aspect
…by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace,…(Ephesians 2:15 ESV)
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light. (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
A new race as opposed to Jew/Gentile races
Then there’s the kainos man
• Man- aner- male person• Man- anthropos- race, whole man, every aspect
…to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the
new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness. (Ephesians 4:22-24 ESV)
New in quality, superior to what it is succeedingNew in every aspect, i.e. goals, actions, attitudes, etc.
How shall we be the kainos man
• New in quality
• Distinct from what is old, worn
• Superior to what is succeeded
• A new kind
• Uncommon, unheard of
Starts with getting into Christ…
• 2 Corinthians 5:17
• Galatians 3:27
• Romans 6:3
How shall we be the kainos man
Continues with a change in ALL areas…
• Speech
• Conduct
• Love
• Faith
• Purity
Let no one despise you for your youth, but
set the believers an example in speech, in
conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
(1 Timothy 4:12 ESV)
Are you interested in being a kainos/new
man for the new year?