"Devotional 1/2/2019"

New Man

kainos anthropos <G2537><G444>

When we get saved, the bible calls believers "new creations" but if we have been saved for 5 years, 10 years even 40-50 years are we still considered new?

With the new year started have any of you tried to do something new with your walk with God?

In keeping with the start of a new year, nothing could be more appropriate than to consider what the apostle Paul calls the new man (; ). The two Greek words are kainos anthropos, and they are truly significant.

"15 by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances, that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two, so making peace"

"24 and to put on the new man, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness."

One word translated new is neos "refers to something new in time, something that recently has come into existence."

The word used here, however, is kainos, which "refers to something new in quality," as it would be distinguished from something that is old and worn out. This word is used, for example, to refer to the "new tomb" in which Joseph of Arimathea laid the body of Jesus ().

- It was not a new tomb that had recently been cut from the rock (neos), rather one that had never been used and was therefore new in the sense of quality.

Man is used as a "species," man as a race. It also refers not to a mere "part" of a man, but the whole man, every aspect of him.

Putting it all together, the picture is graphic. The new man is something that has not existed before. He has been inwardly transformed, which produces new character and new habits.

- A Character that people will notice is different

- Someone who not only is bettering themselves BUT also is doing things to better those around them

- Having habits like wanting to pray for people

- Wanting to go out of the way for people

- Reading God's word

- Studying God's word

Being a New Man means each and every day we wake up we are new creations.

Another key verse is : "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new [kainos] creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new [kainos]."

The Christian is, therefore, a "new creature," not new in the sense of time—as in the date he received Christ as Savior—rather new in quality, a creature that has never existed before, a creature with a new character.

As you start this new year, fully realize that you are a new man (or "woman"), a new creature in Christ with a new character and a new way of life.

Scriptures for Study: Keeping in mind the difference between kainos and neos, consider what is new in the following verses: ; ; ; , ; .