Renewed (365) (ananeoo from aná = again + neóo = renew) means to make new (Robertson says to "make new [young] again), to be renewed, to renovate (active) or “be renovated by inward reformation (passive).” Ananeoo is derived from the root word neos which signifies new in respect to time in contrast to kainos which means new in respect to quality (i.e., a quality that never existed before). Neos describes that which has recently come into existence but for a relatively short time means to cause something to become new and different with the implication of becoming superior. The distinction between neos and is difficult to perceive in our English translations because the same English word is usually used to translate both Greek words. Furthermore, neos and kainos are used several times in the NT to modify the same word (new self, new man, new covenant, new wine), but there is often a difference in the author’s intended meaning.
NIDNTT notes that the root word neos is derived "from the Indo-Germanic neuos, derived from the adv. nu, now, has the temporal sense of belonging to the present moment, and so new, not previously existent, just now appearing, in short: new, young. . Secular Greek uses neos as an adj. (attested since Mycenaean Gk.) for things, generally in a temporal sense, new, fresh…neos is most commonly used, chiefly in the comparative, to designate the age-range of youths from 20 to 30 years old as distinct from the presbuteros or gerontes, but also now and again as a noun to denote an inexperienced person, a novice. (Brown, Colin, Editor. New International Dictionary of NT Theology. 1986. Zondervan)
Ananeoo is used frequently in secular writings. For example, Josephus has this use "This desolation happened to the temple in the hundred forty and fifth year, on the twenty-fifth day of the month Apelleus, and on the hundred and fifty-third olympiad: but it was dedicated anew, (Ant 12.321).
Paul in using ananeoo is saying “Be renewed insofar as spiritual vitality is concerned”.
TDNT says "so ananeoo can denote a renewing activity which replaces an earlier state, i.e., “to renew what is old,” “to refresh or reinvigorate a tired being.” ananeoo (cf. recentare) is to be distinguished from anakainoo (cf. renovare) as neos is from kainos. It involves a new beginning in time as distinct from qualitative renewal.
Vine - The renewal here mentioned is not that of the mind itself in its natural powers of memory, judgment and perception, but ‘the spirit of the mind,’ which, under the controlling power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, directs its bent and energies Godward in the enjoyment of “fellowship with the Father and with His Son, Jesus Christ,” and of the fulfilment of the will of God. The word is frequent in inscriptions and in the papyri. (Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words)
The present tense indicates that the spirit of their mind is continually being renewed. The passive voice indicates that the subject (the believer’s mind) is acted upon by outside force (cp 2Co 4:16, Col 3:10+) and in context this “force” or “source” is the Spirit of God (surely interconnected with the continual intake of the Word of God) not from within ourselves (cp 1Co 2:14, 15, 16). The idea then would be to let oneself be renewed (see TDNT quote above) or voluntarily submit to the idea of continual progress and growth, which is the antithesis of the corrupting just mentioned (Ep 4:22+)
This renewal points to a complete about-face in their thinking, a change from mental impurity to holiness. The Spirit of God influences the thought processes of believers so that they begin more and more to reason from God’s viewpoint.
How is your mind renewed? Paul explains in the following passages…
Romans 12:2+ And do not be conformed (present imperative + negative = stop doing this!) to this world, but be transformed (metamorphoo in the present imperative = continual action called for) by the renewing (anakainosis) of your mind, that you may prove (dokimazo) what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Ro 12:2+)
Comment: So the answer to the question is: (1) Stop being poured into the mold of this fallen, godless, and overtly anti-God world system. (2) Continually allow yourself to be changed, transformed like a caterpillar into a butterfly.
Colossians 3:10+ and have put on the new self who is being renewed (anakainoo) to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him (Col 3:10+).
Comment: Here anakainoo is used which refers to a qualitative renewal that is ongoing.)
2Cor 3:18+ But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed (metamorphoo) into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
2Cor 4:16, 17+ Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
Comment: Jamieson says that our inner man “is being renewed,” namely, with fresh “grace” (2Co 4:15), and “faith” (2Co 4:13), and hope (2Co 4:17, 18).” Wiersbe adds that Paul “was sure his trials were working for him, not against him…When you live by faith in Christ, you get the right perspective on suffering…Of itself, suffering will not make us holier men and women. Unless we yield to the Lord, turn to His Word, and trust Him to work, our suffering could make us far worse Christians. In my own pastoral ministry, I have seen some of God’s people grow critical and bitter, and go from bad to worse instead of “from glory to glory.” We need that “spirit of faith” that Paul mentioned in 2 Corinthians 4:13.”
Yeah, powerful, all glory to Christ Jesus.
Eph 4:23 and δὲ to be renewed ἀνανεοῦσθαι in the τῷ spirit πνεύματι of τοῦ your ὑμῶν, mind, νοὸς
J.
