Lexical Summary kainotés: Newness Original Word: καινότης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance newness. From kainos; renewal (figuratively) -- newness. see GREEK kainos NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom kainos Definition newness NASB Translation newness (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2538: καινότηςκαινότης, καινότητος, ἡ (καινός), newness: ἐν καινότητι πνεύματος, in the new state (of life) in which the Holy Spirit places us, Romans 7:6; ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς in a new condition or state of (moral) life, Romans 6:4 (εἰς καινοτητα ἀϊδίου ζωῆς, so as to produce a new state which is eternal life, Ignatius ad Eph. 19 [ET]; among secular writers it is used by Thucydides 3, 38; Isocrates, Athen., others; often by Plutarch (applied to the 'novelties' of fashion (Frenchnouveaute))). Topical Lexicon Biblical Concept of KainotēsStrong’s Greek 2538 (kainotēs) conveys the idea of qualitative “newness,” a state or mode of existence that stands in sharp contrast to what has gone before. It is never a mere novelty: in Scripture it points to the decisive, divinely wrought transition from the old age under sin to the new age inaugurated by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul’s Doctrine of Newness of Life (Romans 6:4) Paul announces that believers, having been “buried with Him through baptism into death,” are raised “so that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Kainotēs here describes a life sourced in resurrection power, characterized by freedom from sin’s dominion (Romans 6:6–7) and empowered obedience (Romans 6:17–18). The term functions as shorthand for the entire ethical and spiritual reorientation that follows union with Christ. Newness of the Spirit versus Oldness of the Letter (Romans 7:6) Paul again employs kainotēs to contrast life “in the Spirit” with life “under the law.” “But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the Law, so that we serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter” (Romans 7:6). The “letter” refers to the Mosaic code external to the heart; the “Spirit” is the indwelling presence promised in Ezekiel 36:27. Kainotēs underscores that the believer’s service springs from internal transformation rather than external compulsion. Continuity with Old Testament Promise While kainotēs marks a radical shift, it fulfills God’s earlier pledge: “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you” (Ezekiel 36:26). The prophetic anticipation of a renewed covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34) comes to fruition in the New Testament usage of kainotēs, demonstrating the unity of revelation. Baptismal Significance Early Christian writers read Romans 6:4 through a baptismal lens. The Didache 7 portrays baptism as the threshold into resurrection life. Hippolytus’s Apostolic Tradition links the newly baptized with Romans 6, instructing them to “walk in newness.” Thus kainotēs shaped liturgical practice from the earliest centuries. Ministry of the New Covenant 2 Corinthians 3:6 reinforces the Pauline contrast: God “has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit.” Though kainotēs itself is not used in the verse, the concept stands behind Paul’s entire argument. Gospel ministry communicates not mere information but Spirit-breathed transformation, fulfilling the promise embedded in Romans 7:6. Pastoral and Practical Implications 1. Identity: Believers are urged to reckon themselves “alive to God in Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:11), grounding assurance in God’s accomplished work. Eschatological Horizon Kainotēs is the present foretaste of the future: “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘Behold, I make all things new’” (Revelation 21:5). The Spirit-wrought newness in the believer guarantees participation in the coming new heaven and new earth, aligning present holiness with ultimate consummation. Summary Strong’s 2538 encapsulates the transforming work of God that moves the believer from death to life, from law to Spirit, from the old creation to the new. Romans 6:4 and Romans 7:6 serve as theological pillars, illustrating both the accomplished reality and ongoing outworking of that divine newness in personal sanctification, corporate worship, and eschatological hope. Forms and Transliterations καινοτητι καινότητι καινότητος kainoteti kainotēti kainóteti kainótētiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 6:4 N-DFSGRK: ἡμεῖς ἐν καινότητι ζωῆς περιπατήσωμεν NAS: we too might walk in newness of life. KJV: should walk in newness of life. INT: we in newness of life should walk Romans 7:6 N-DFS |
    |