365. ananeoó

Lexical Summary

ananeoó: To renew, to make new again

Original Word: ἀνανεόω
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: ananeoó
Pronunciation: an-an-eh-OH-o
Phonetic Spelling: (an-an-neh-o'-o)
KJV: renew
NASB: renewed
Word Origin: [from G303 (ἀνά - each) and a derivative of G3501 (νέος - New)]

1. to renew, renovate, i.e. reform

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

renew.

From ana and a derivative of neos; to renovate, i.e. Reform -- renew.

see GREEK ana

see GREEK neos

HELPS Word-studies

365 ananeóō (from 303 /aná, "up, completing a process," which intensifies 3501 /néos, "recent, new") – properly, going up to a higher stage (level of sanctification) by God's power; divinely renewed.

365/ananeoō ("make new in relation to time") is only used in Eph 4:23. Here believers are reminded of God's continuous offer to bring new strides in their sanctification through "sanctified reasoning" – raising the meaning up to new levels of spiritual comprehension and reality.

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from ana and neos,
Definition
to renew
NASB Translation
renewed (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 365: ἀνανεόω

ἀνανεόω, ἀνανέω: to renew (often in Greek writings); passive (Winer's Grammar, § 39, 3 N. 3; for the middle has an active or reciprocal force, cf. 1 Macc. 12:1 and Grimm at the passage) ἀνανεοῦσθαι τῷ πνεύματι to be renewed in mind, i. e. to be spiritually transformed, to take on a new mind (see νοῦς, 1{b}. at the end; πνεῦμα, at the end), Ephesians 4:23. Cf. Tittmann i., p. 60; (Trench, sections xl. xviii.), and ἀνακαινόω above.

Topical Lexicon

Overview

The solitary New Testament appearance of ἀνανεοῦσθαι (Ephesians 4:23) places the verb at the very heart of Paul’s exhortation to live out the realities of salvation. Nestled between the putting off of the “old self” and the putting on of the “new self,” the call “to be renewed in the spirit of your mind” encapsulates the dynamic, ongoing change wrought by the Holy Spirit in the believer.

Theological Significance of Renewal

1. Inner Transformation, Not Mere Reformation
• The directive centers on the “spirit” of the mind, emphasizing an interior work that reshapes affections, intentions, and outlook (cf. Romans 12:2).
• Renewal is portrayed as continuous—“to keep on being renewed”—highlighting sanctification as an active, present reality rather than a single past event.

2. Participation in the New Creation
• The context (Ephesians 4:22–24) echoes Genesis language, presenting believers as part of God’s re-creative act in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
• Renewal bridges the decisive break with the “former way of life” (Ephesians 4:22) and the embodiment of “true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).

Relationship to Sanctification and the New Man

• Whereas “put off” and “put on” describe decisive acts, ἀνανεοῦσθαι describes the ongoing divine enablement that makes those acts possible.
• Sanctification thus has both positional (“new self”) and progressive (“renewed”) dimensions, safeguarding believers from legalistic self-effort while calling them to deliberate cooperation with grace (Philippians 2:12-13).

Connection with the Work of the Holy Spirit

• The passive force of the infinitive underscores that renewal is effected by God’s Spirit (Titus 3:5).
• The immediate fruit appears in renovated thinking, which in turn shapes conduct (Colossians 3:10).
• The Spirit’s ministry of illumination (1 Corinthians 2:12-16) feeds and sustains this renewal through Scripture.

Historical Usage in Early Church Teaching

• Early patristic writers drew on Ephesians 4 to articulate catechetical instruction:

– Cyril of Jerusalem linked baptismal vows to the triple movement of “putting off,” “being renewed,” and “putting on.”

– Chrysostom viewed ἀνανεοῦσθαι as evidence of Christ’s dwelling presence, encouraging congregants to examine thoughts as well as deeds.
• In monastic traditions, the verse framed daily self-examination, rooting spiritual disciplines in gospel identity rather than ascetic merit.

Practical Ministry Applications

1. Discipleship
• Curriculum that targets thought-patterns—worldview, self-image, ethical reasoning—aligns with Paul’s sequence.
2. Pastoral Counseling
• The text supplies theological warrant for cognitive renewal therapies, grounding change in Spirit-empowered truth rather than human optimism.
3. Corporate Worship
• Liturgies that rehearse confession, assurance, and commissioning mirror the put-off / renewal / put-on rhythm.
4. Evangelism
• Presenting salvation as transformative renewal counters cultural narratives of superficial self-improvement.

Key Scriptural Parallels

• Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 4:16; Colossians 3:9-10; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:16.

Conclusion

Ephesians 4:23 sets forth renewal as the divine hinge between the believer’s renunciation of the old life and the embodiment of the new. It is Spirit-driven, mind-deep, and life-wide, summoning every follower of Christ to yield continuously to God’s recreative power until “we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God” (Ephesians 4:13).

Forms and Transliterations

ανανεουσθαι ανανεούσθαι ἀνανεοῦσθαι ανανεύση ανάνευσις ανανεύων ανανεώσει ανένευσαν ανένευσεν ananeousthai ananeoûsthai

Englishman's Concordance

Ephesians 4:23 V-PNM/P
GRK: ἀνανεοῦσθαι δὲ τῷ
NAS: and that you be renewed in the spirit
KJV: And be renewed in the spirit of your
INT: to be renewed and in the

Strong's Greek 365
1 Occurrence

ἀνανεοῦσθαι — 1 Occ.