Lexical Summary anakainósis: Renewal Original Word: ἀνακαίνωσις Strong's Exhaustive Concordance renewing. From anakainoo; renovation -- renewing. see GREEK anakainoo HELPS Word-studies 342 anakaínōsis (from 303 /aná, "up, completing a process," which intensifies kainō, "make fresh, new"; see 2537 /kainós) – properly, a new development; a renewal, achieved by God's power. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom anakainoó Definition renewal NASB Translation renewing (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 342: ἀνακαίνωσιςἀνακαίνωσις, (εως, ἡ, a renewal, renovation, complete change for the better (cf. ἀνακαινόω): τοῦ νως, object. genitive, Romans 12:2; πνεύματος ἁγίου, effected by the Holy Spirit, Titus 3:5. (Etym. Magn., Suidas; (Hermas, vis. 3, 8, 9 [ET]; other ecclesiastical writings); the simple καίνωσις is found only in Josephus, Antiquities 18, 6, 10.) (Cf. Trench, § xviii.) Topical Lexicon Usage in the New Testament Strong’s Greek 342 occurs twice and always in the singular with the definite article. In Romans 12:2 the apostle Paul links it to an ongoing inner transformation: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind”. In Titus 3:5 it is tied to the salvation event itself: “He saved us, not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit”. Both contexts highlight divine agency while stressing the believer’s changed condition. Conceptual Background Although the noun does not appear in the Septuagint, the idea of God bringing something back to its intended freshness pervades Scripture. Psalm 51:10 pleads, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me,” anticipating a Spirit-wrought inner change. Isaiah 40:31 speaks of those who “renew their strength.” These Old Testament motifs converge in New Testament teaching where the Spirit inaugurates a new creation reality (Isaiah 65:17; Revelation 21:5). Theological Significance 1. Regeneration and Conversion: Titus 3:5 places renewal beside “washing of new birth,” underscoring that salvation is wholly a work of divine mercy applied by the Spirit. Renewal is not self-help but supernatural re-creation. Relationship to Other New Testament Terms While Strong’s 341 (anakainoō) and 365 (ananeō) describe the act or process of making new, 342 denotes the state or quality produced. The noun therefore functions as the goal toward which those related verbs point. Colossians 3:10 and 2 Corinthians 4:16, though using different but related terms, reinforce the same reality: daily renewal rooted in the once-for-all regeneration. Historical Interpretation Early church writers such as Irenaeus viewed renewal as reversal of Adam’s corruption, accomplished through Christ’s recapitulation. Augustine emphasized Spirit-driven renewal against Pelagian notions of autonomous moral improvement. The Reformers underscored that renewal results from justifying grace rather than meritorious works, citing Titus 3:5 to defend sola gratia. Practical Ministry Applications • Preaching: Romans 12:2 provides a framework for preaching that addresses both worldview and behavior, urging believers to think biblically. Eschatological Horizon Present renewal anticipates final consummation. Romans 8:23 links the Spirit’s “firstfruits” to future redemption of our bodies. Renewal now is a foretaste; total renovation awaits the new heavens and new earth. Thus believers live with hope, confident that present transformation will culminate in complete perfection. Personal Devotion and Prayer Because renewal is God-initiated yet experientially appropriated, believers pray Psalm 51:10-12 in New Covenant terms, asking the Spirit to recalibrate desires, thoughts, and affections. Memorizing Romans 12:1-2 and meditating on Titus 3:3-7 encourages humility and gratitude, fueling worshipful obedience. Summary Strong’s Greek 342 encapsulates the Spirit’s transformative work that begins at conversion and continues throughout the Christian life, preparing the church for the glory of the coming age. It assures believers that the God who once spoke creation into being is now tirelessly making all things—including our minds and hearts—new. Forms and Transliterations ανακαινωσει ανακαινώσει ἀνακαινώσει ανακαινωσεως ανακαινώσεως ἀνακαινώσεως ανακαλείν ανακαλεσάμενος ανακέκληκεν ανακέκλημαι ανακληθέντας ανεκάλεσε anakainosei anakainōsei anakainṓsei anakainoseos anakainōseōs anakainṓseos anakainṓseōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Romans 12:2 N-DFSGRK: μεταμορφοῦσθε τῇ ἀνακαινώσει τοῦ νοός NAS: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, KJV: be ye transformed by the renewing of your INT: be transformed by the renewing of the mind Titus 3:5 N-GFS Strong's Greek 342 |
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