Lexical Summary kainos: New, fresh, unused, novel Original Word: καινός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance new. Of uncertain affinity; new (especially in freshness; while neos is properly so with respect to age -- new. see GREEK neos HELPS Word-studies 2537 kainós – properly, new in quality (innovation), fresh in development or opportunity – because "not found exactly like this before." NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition new, fresh NASB Translation fresh (3), new (37), new things (1), things new (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2537: καινόςκαινός, καινή, καινόν (from Aeschylus and Herodotus down); the Sept. for חָדָשׁ; new, i. e. a. as respects form; recently made, fresh, recent, unused, unworn (opposed to παλαιός old, antiquated): as ἀσκός, Matthew 9:11; Mark 2:22 (T omits; Tr WH brackets the clause); Luke 5:38 ἱμάτιον, Luke 5:36; πλήρωμα, Mark 2:21; μνημεῖον, Matthew 27:60; with ἐν ᾧ οὐδέπω οὐδείς ἐτέθη added, John 19:41; καινά καί παλαιά, Matthew 13:52; new, which as recently made is superior to what it succeeds: διαθήκη, Matthew 26:28 (T WH omit καινά); Mark 14:24 R L; Luke 22:20 (WH reject the passage); 1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6; Hebrews 8:8, 13; Hebrews 9:15 (Jeremiah 38:31 b. as respects substance; of a new kind; unprecedented, novel, uncommon, unheard of (ἑτέρα καί καινά δαιμόνια, Xenophon, mem. 1, 1, 1): διδαχή, Mark 1:27; Acts 17:19; ἐντολή, given now for the first time, John 13:34; 1 John 2:7; 2 John 1:5; ὄνομα, with the added explanation ὁ οὐδείς οἶδεν (ἔγνω Rec.), Revelation 2:17 (Isaiah 62:2; Isaiah 65:15); ᾠδή, Revelation 5:9; Revelation 14:3 (Psalm 143:9 The adjective translated “new” (Strong’s Greek 2537) appears forty-two times across the New Testament, proclaiming God’s decisive in-breaking to transform creation, covenant, humanity, worship, and destiny. The term emphasizes quality more than chronology: what God brings is not merely recent but radically different, fresh, and unprecedented, yet perfectly consistent with His earlier revelation. New Covenant Jesus introduced the promised covenantal renewal foretold by Jeremiah. “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you” (Luke 22:20). By His sacrificial death and resurrection He rendered the Mosaic economy “obsolete” (Hebrews 8:13) and became “the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 9:15). The apostolic proclamation (1 Corinthians 11:25; 2 Corinthians 3:6) insists that this covenant fulfills, rather than annuls, the Law and the Prophets, providing once-for-all forgiveness, internalized law, and Spirit-empowered obedience. New Creation The covenant produces a new order of existence. “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; cf. Galatians 6:15). Personal regeneration is the foretaste of cosmic renewal: believers already share in the life of the age to come while awaiting its public unveiling. This reality grounds assurance, fuels holiness, and unites Jews and Gentiles in “one new man” (Ephesians 2:15). New Humanity and Ethical Renewal Because the believer has “put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24), daily conduct must reflect the inner transformation. The “new commandment” to “love one another” (John 13:34; 1 John 2:7-8; 2 John 5) is not an innovation in content but in scope and power: love modeled on Christ’s cross becomes the distinguishing mark of the redeemed community. New Worship and Song God’s redemptive work elicits fresh expressions of praise. Heaven bursts into a “new song” celebrating the Lamb’s triumph (Revelation 5:9; 14:3). The overcomer receives a “new name” (Revelation 2:17; 3:12), emblematic of changed identity and covenant intimacy. Earthly liturgy echoes this doxology, reminding congregations that worship is participation in the reality already inaugurated above. Freshness in Jesus’ Earthly Ministry Crowds marveled at His “new teaching with authority” (Mark 1:27) and His kingdom parables of “new wine” requiring “new wineskins” (Matthew 9:17; Mark 2:22; Luke 5:36-38). By using Joseph’s “new tomb” (Matthew 27:60; John 19:41), the Lord’s burial underscored the unprecedented nature of His resurrection victory. Even the pledge to drink wine “new” in the Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29; Mark 14:25) anticipates consummated joy. Missionary and Apologetic Contexts In Athens, Paul’s preaching was labeled a “new teaching” (Acts 17:19-21). The gospel’s freshness challenged prevailing philosophies while remaining the ancient promise fulfilled. Biblical newness therefore carries apologetic leverage: what is genuinely new answers humanity’s oldest questions. Eschatological Renewal God’s purpose culminates in “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1; 2 Peter 3:13) and the descent of “the holy city, the new Jerusalem” (Revelation 21:2). The enthroned Christ declares, “Behold, I make all things new” (Revelation 21:5), guaranteeing that present sufferings yield to irreversible glory. The vision assures persecuted believers that final reality belongs to the Lamb, not to hostile powers. Pastoral and Practical Implications • Preaching: Emphasize transformation, not mere self-improvement. Summary Across covenant, heart, community, worship, and cosmos the Spirit declares the arrival and certainty of God’s new order. The Church lives between inauguration and consummation, embodying now what will one day fill all things. Englishman's Concordance Matthew 9:17 Adj-AMPGRK: εἰς ἀσκοὺς καινούς καὶ ἀμφότεροι NAS: wine into fresh wineskins, KJV: wine into new bottles, and INT: into wineskins new and both Matthew 13:52 Adj-ANP Matthew 26:29 Adj-ANS Matthew 27:60 Adj-DNS Mark 1:27 Adj-NFS Mark 2:21 Adj-ANS Mark 2:22 Adj-AMP Mark 14:25 Adj-ANS Mark 16:17 Adj-DFP Luke 5:36 Adj-GNS Luke 5:36 Adj-ANS Luke 5:36 Adj-GNS Luke 5:38 Adj-AMP Luke 22:20 Adj-NFS John 13:34 Adj-AFS John 19:41 Adj-NNS Acts 17:19 Adj-NFS Acts 17:21 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 11:25 Adj-NFS 2 Corinthians 3:6 Adj-GFS 2 Corinthians 5:17 Adj-NFS 2 Corinthians 5:17 Adj-NNP Galatians 6:15 Adj-NFS Ephesians 2:15 Adj-AMS Ephesians 4:24 Adj-AMS Strong's Greek 2537 |