Inner Man
Jump to: ISBEGreekHebrewLibrarySubtopicsTerms
Topical Encyclopedia
The term "Inner Man" refers to the spiritual aspect of a person, distinct from the physical body, and is a concept found within the Christian Scriptures. It is often associated with the heart, mind, and soul, representing the core of a person's being where spiritual transformation and renewal occur. The "Inner Man" is a focal point for spiritual growth and communion with God.

Biblical References:

1. Ephesians 3:16 : "I pray that out of the riches of His glory He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being." This verse highlights the Apostle Paul's prayer for believers to be empowered by the Holy Spirit in their inner man, emphasizing the importance of spiritual strength and vitality that comes from God.

2. 2 Corinthians 4:16 : "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day." Here, Paul contrasts the physical decay of the body with the continual renewal of the inner man, underscoring the eternal nature of the spiritual life in contrast to the temporal physical existence.

3. Romans 7:22 : "For in my inner being I delight in God’s law." This passage reflects the Apostle Paul's acknowledgment of the inner man's alignment with God's law, despite the struggle with sin in the flesh. It illustrates the inner man's role in the believer's desire to follow God's commandments.

Theological Significance:

The concept of the inner man is central to understanding the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. It is within the inner man that the Holy Spirit operates, bringing about sanctification and spiritual maturity. The inner man is the seat of the new nature that believers receive upon accepting Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 5:17, where believers are called "a new creation."

Spiritual Renewal:

The renewal of the inner man is a continuous process, as believers are called to be transformed by the renewing of their minds (Romans 12:2). This renewal involves a deepening relationship with God, increased understanding of His Word, and a growing conformity to the image of Christ. The inner man is strengthened through prayer, meditation on Scripture, and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Practical Implications:

Believers are encouraged to focus on the development of their inner man, recognizing that true spiritual growth and strength come from within. This involves prioritizing spiritual disciplines, such as prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other believers, to nurture the inner man. The health of the inner man directly impacts a believer's ability to withstand trials, resist temptation, and live a life that glorifies God.

In summary, the inner man is a vital aspect of Christian theology, representing the spiritual core of a person where God's transformative work takes place. It is through the strengthening and renewal of the inner man that believers experience true spiritual growth and maturity.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Inner Man

INNER MAN

See INWARD MAN.

Greek
2836. koilia -- belly
... belly. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: koilia Phonetic Spelling:
(koy-lee'-ah) Short Definition: belly, womb, the inner man Definition: belly ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2836.htm - 6k

2080. eso -- within
... Word Origin adverb from eis Definition within NASB Word Usage inner (2),
inner man (1), inside (2), within (1). within, inward. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2080.htm - 6k

3340. metanoeo -- to change one's mind or purpose
... I repent, change my mind Definition: I repent, change my mind, change the inner
man (particularly with reference to acceptance of the will of God), repent. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3340.htm - 8k

3341. metanoia -- change of mind, repentance
... metanoia Phonetic Spelling: (met-an'-oy-ah) Short Definition: repentance, a change
of mind Definition: repentance, a change of mind, change in the inner man. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3341.htm - 7k

3105. mainomai -- to rage, be mad
... root of the English terms, "maniac" and "mania") -- to rave, full of inner rage
(fury ... Word Origin from the root man- Definition to rage, be mad NASB Word Usage ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3105.htm - 7k

5449. phusis -- nature
... 5449 -- properly, inner , the underlying constitution or make-up of someone ... sort;
figuratively, native disposition, constitution or usage -- (man-)kind, nature ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5449.htm - 7k

Strong's Hebrew
3820. leb -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 3819, 3820. leb. 3821 . inner man, mind, will, heart. Transliteration:
leb Phonetic Spelling: (labe) Short Definition: heart. Word ...
/hebrew/3820.htm - 7k

3824. lebab -- inner man, mind, will, heart
... 3823b, 3824. lebab. 3825 . inner man, mind, will, heart. Transliteration:
lebab Phonetic Spelling: (lay-bawb') Short Definition: heart. ...
/hebrew/3824.htm - 6k

Library

Signs to Know the Inner Man, and the Mind That's Purged.
... Peace. CHAP. XVI. Signs to know the Inner Man, and the Mind that's Purged.
152. The Signs to know the Inner Man by, are four. The ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap xvi signs to know.htm

God's Dealings with the Creature; Basilides' Notion of -1 the ...
... Chapter XV."God's Dealings with the Creature; Basilides' Notion of (1) the Inner
Man, (2) the Gospel; His Interpretation of the Life and Sufferings of Our ...
/.../hippolytus/the refutation of all heresies/chapter xv gods dealings with the.htm

Of what Kind are the Outer and the Inner Man.
... Book XII. Chapter 1."Of What Kind are the Outer and the Inner Man. 1. Come
now, and let us see where lies, as it were, the boundary ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 1 of what kind are.htm

Explanation of the Phrase: "For I Delight in the Law of God after ...
... The Conferences of John Cassian. Chapter XI. Explanation of the phrase:
"For I delight in the law of God after the inner man," etc. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xi explanation of the.htm

That we Cannot Enter the Battle of the Inner Man Unless we have ...
... Prolegomena. Chapter XIII. That we cannot enter the battle of the inner
man unless we have been set free from the vice of gluttony. ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xiii that we cannot.htm

There is a Kind of Hidden Wedlock in the Inner Man. Unlawful ...
... Book XII. Chapter 12."There is a Kind of Hidden Wedlock in the Inner Man.
Unlawful Pleasures of the Thoughts. 17. Let us now complete ...
/.../augustine/on the holy trinity/chapter 12 there is a kind.htm

Sundry Passages of St. Paul which Attest Our Doctrine Rescued from ...
... Well, then, heresies finding that the apostle had mentioned two "men"""the inner
man," that is, the soul, and "the outward man," that is, the flesh"awarded ...
/.../on the resurrection of the flesh/chapter xl sundry passages of st.htm

Sanctification
... death,' or Mary when she stood under the Cross and lamented?" Here, thou shouldest
know that in every man are two kinds of men, the outer and the inner man. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/eckhart/meister eckharts sermons/vi sanctification.htm

John Chapter vii. 37-39
... our place, but by loving. Although, according to the inner man, he that
loves does also move from a place. But it is one thing to ...
/.../augustine/homilies on the gospel of john/tractate xxxii john chapter vii.htm

Strengthened with Might
... 'That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory; to be strengthened
with might by His Spirit in the inner man.'"Ephesians 3:16. ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/strengthened with might.htm

Resources
Is the inner child a biblical concept? | GotQuestions.org

What is the inner man? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about inner peace? | GotQuestions.org

Inner: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Inner

Inner Beauty

Inner Healing

Inner Man

Related Terms

Chamber (73 Occurrences)

Inner (141 Occurrences)

Liers-in-wait (10 Occurrences)

Breaketh (49 Occurrences)

Snapped (4 Occurrences)

Micai'ah (27 Occurrences)

Ambush (39 Occurrences)

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)

Aged (63 Occurrences)

Broke (153 Occurrences)

Unseen (18 Occurrences)

Openly (52 Occurrences)

Locust (25 Occurrences)

Weepeth (29 Occurrences)

Inner-chambers (2 Occurrences)

Thongs (7 Occurrences)

Teemed (4 Occurrences)

Teem (4 Occurrences)

Tow (3 Occurrences)

Twenty-seven (6 Occurrences)

Ropes (32 Occurrences)

Reward (213 Occurrences)

Easily (15 Occurrences)

Enter (372 Occurrences)

Entereth (40 Occurrences)

Door (249 Occurrences)

Delilah (7 Occurrences)

Discovered (46 Occurrences)

Deli'lah (6 Occurrences)

Ben-ha'dad (26 Occurrences)

Bindeth (25 Occurrences)

Bolted (3 Occurrences)

Bridal (4 Occurrences)

Bowstrings (4 Occurrences)

Collapsed (8 Occurrences)

Closet (3 Occurrences)

Arrive (20 Occurrences)

Aphek (9 Occurrences)

Hide (135 Occurrences)

Scattering (18 Occurrences)

Scatterings (2 Occurrences)

Smelling (8 Occurrences)

Sucklings (18 Occurrences)

Shut (237 Occurrences)

Snaps (2 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

String (12 Occurrences)

Seeketh (60 Occurrences)

Sees (135 Occurrences)

Ben-hadad (27 Occurrences)

Therewith (53 Occurrences)

Permitted (31 Occurrences)

Tied (33 Occurrences)

Companions (58 Occurrences)

Wait (223 Occurrences)

Thread (32 Occurrences)

Ben (40 Occurrences)

Jehosh'aphat (75 Occurrences)

Samson (37 Occurrences)

Cords (80 Occurrences)

Wall (227 Occurrences)

Couch (55 Occurrences)

Comest (50 Occurrences)

Hadad (38 Occurrences)

Touches (55 Occurrences)

Escaped (94 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Bands (130 Occurrences)

Philistines (224 Occurrences)

Piece (93 Occurrences)

Infants (71 Occurrences)

Moved (316 Occurrences)

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)

Hurricane (14 Occurrences)

Hasteth (32 Occurrences)

Goats (134 Occurrences)

Hid (145 Occurrences)

Thither (119 Occurrences)

Inner Joy and Integrity
Top of Page
Top of Page