Lexical Summary palaiotés: Oldness Original Word: παλαιότης Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ageFrom palaios; antiquatedness -- oldness. see GREEK palaios NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom palaios Definition oldness NASB Translation oldness (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 3821: παλαιότηςπαλαιότης, παλαιοτητος, ἡ (παλαιός), oldness: γράμματος, the old state of life controlled by 'the letter' of the law, Romans 7:6; see καινότης, and γράμμα, 2 c. ((Euripides), Plato, Aeschines, Dio Cassius, 72, 8.) Topical Lexicon Scriptural Setting Strong’s Greek 3821 speaks to the contrast between what is “old” and what is “new” in God’s redemptive plan. Paul employs the term to expose the inadequacy of life under the Mosaic Law when compared with life in the Spirit. The word evokes imagery of worn-out garments (Isaiah 64:6), obsolete rituals (Hebrews 8:13), and aging structures (Matthew 9:16–17), all of which point to the need for a new, Spirit-empowered existence. Single New Testament Occurrence Romans 7:6: “But now, having died to what bound us, we have been released from the Law, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” Paul positions “oldness” over against “newness,” stressing that believers, through union with Christ’s death and resurrection, have been transferred from one realm of existence to another. Conceptual Background: Old versus New 1. Oldness carries the sense of obsolescence rather than mere chronology. Theological Significance in Pauline Thought • Freedom from Condemnation: “Oldness” belongs to the Law’s jurisdiction, which exposes sin but cannot liberate (Romans 7:7–13). Covenantal Transition Romans 7:6 sits within Paul’s broader teaching that the Mosaic covenant, though holy and good, had a provisional role (Galatians 3:24–25). “Oldness” thus refers to the covenantal era now superseded by the new covenant promised in Jeremiah 31:31–34 and affirmed in Hebrews 8:13: “By speaking of a new covenant, He has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.” Worship and Service Implications • Form versus Reality: The “oldness of the letter” gravitates toward mere external compliance. The “newness of the Spirit” ushers in heartfelt obedience (Romans 8:3–4). Pastoral and Discipleship Applications 1. Guard against Legalism: Ministry that reverts to “oldness” burdens consciences rather than refreshing souls (Acts 15:10). Historical Interpretation in the Church • Early Fathers: Augustine contrasted the “oldness of letter” with the “charity of the Spirit,” underscoring grace over law. Correlation with Related Greek Terms • palaiós (Strong’s 3820): “old,” often describing the “old man” (Ephesians 4:22). Summary Strong’s 3821 highlights the believer’s release from an obsolete realm dominated by sin-revealing statutes and invites participation in the dynamic, life-giving service of the Spirit. Romans 7:6 stands as a watershed verse, marking the definitive transition from the Law’s “oldness” to the gospel’s “newness,” shaping both individual sanctification and corporate worship for the church throughout history and into eternity. Forms and Transliterations παλαιοτητι παλαιότητι palaioteti palaiotēti palaióteti palaiótētiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |
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