Lexical Summary ananeoó: To renew, to make new again Original Word: ἀνανεόω 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 Originfrom ana and neos, Definition to renew NASB Translation renewed (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 365: ἀνανεόωἀνανεόω, 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 2. Participation in the New Creation 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. 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). 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. Practical Ministry Applications 1. Discipleship 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 ananeoûsthaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |