Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of being "renewed" in the Bible is deeply rooted in the transformative power of God in the life of a believer. It signifies a spiritual rebirth and the ongoing process of sanctification, where an individual is continually made new through the work of the Holy Spirit. This renewal is both an initial act of salvation and a continual process of growth in holiness and conformity to the image of Christ.
Old Testament ContextIn the Old Testament, the idea of renewal is often associated with the restoration of Israel and the renewal of the covenant relationship between God and His people. For instance, in
Psalm 51:10, David cries out, "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Here, renewal is linked to repentance and the desire for a pure heart, reflecting a return to a right relationship with God.
The prophets also speak of renewal in terms of national restoration.
Isaiah 40:31 states, "But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not faint." This passage highlights the renewal of strength and vitality for those who trust in the Lord, emphasizing God's power to restore and sustain His people.
New Testament ContextIn the New Testament, the theme of renewal is more explicitly connected to the work of Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Romans 12:2 exhorts believers, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God." This verse underscores the importance of mental and spiritual renewal as a means of discerning God's will and living a life that is pleasing to Him.
The Apostle Paul further elaborates on this concept in
Ephesians 4:22-24: "You were taught with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be renewed in the spirit of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Here, renewal involves a decisive break from the past and the adoption of a new identity in Christ, characterized by righteousness and holiness.
The Role of the Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in the process of renewal.
Titus 3:5-6 explains, "He saved us, not by the righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of new birth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. This He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior." The Holy Spirit is the agent of renewal, effecting the new birth and empowering believers to live transformed lives.
Practical ImplicationsThe concept of being renewed has practical implications for the Christian life. It calls believers to a continual process of spiritual growth and transformation.
Colossians 3:10 encourages believers to "put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator." This ongoing renewal involves a deepening understanding of God and a growing likeness to Christ.
In summary, the biblical concept of renewal encompasses both an initial transformation at salvation and a lifelong process of becoming more like Christ. It is a work of God's grace, accomplished through the Holy Spirit, and is essential for living a life that honors God and fulfills His purposes.
Greek
365. ananeoo -- to renew... Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: ananeoo Phonetic Spelling: (an-an-neh-o'-o)
Short Definition: I renew Definition: I renew; mid: I renew myself, am
renewed...3559. nouthesia -- admonition
... See 3560 (). [Ro 12:1-3 likewise emphasizes the importance of receiving God's thoughts
in therenewed mind, through faith, to reach solutions.]....
341. anakainoo -- to make new
... Word Origin from ana and kainos Definition to make new NASB Word Usagerenewed
(2). renew. From ana and a derivative of kainos; to renovate -- renew....
Strong's Hebrew
2416a. chay -- alive, living... 1), life (7), live (44), lives (54), living (63), living one (4), living thing
(6), man living (1), next (2), next year (2), raw (6),
renewed (1), running (6
...2318. chadash -- to renew, repair
... Word Origin a prim. root Definition to renew, repair NASB Word Usage renew (5),
renewed (1), repair (1), restore (3), restored (1). renew, repair....
2498. chalaph -- to pass on or away, pass through
... NASB Word Usage change (2), changed (5), gain new (2), go (1), move past (1), over
(1), passed (1), passes (1), pierce (1), pierced (1),renewed (1), replace (2...
Library
SacrificeRenewed
... THE SECOND BOOK OF CHRONICLES SACRIFICERENEWED. 'Then they went in to Hezekiah
the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house...
Whether the World Will beRenewed?
... OF THE QUALITY OF THE WORLD AFTER THE JUDGMENT (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether the
world will berenewed?... Therefore it will never berenewed....
Whether the Elements Will beRenewed by an Addition of Brightness?
... OF THE QUALITY OF THE WORLD AFTER THE JUDGMENT (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether
the elements will berenewed by an addition of brightness?...
Of theRenewed World.
... The Divine Institutes. Book VII. Of a Happy Life. Chap. XXIV."Of theRenewed
World. Now I will subjoin the rest. Therefore the...
Renewed Praise of the Ephesians.
... Chapter VIII."Renewed praise of the Ephesians. Let not then any one deceive you,
as indeed ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are wholly devoted to God....
The Covenant of PeaceRenewed Between Christians.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CX. The Covenant of Peacerenewed between Christians. 8.8.8.8
James Montgomery. The Covenant of Peacerenewed between Christians....
Neither DoesRenewed Confidence of Persevering Produce...
... Fifth Head of Doctrine Article 13 Neither doesrenewed confidence of persevering
produce licentiousness or a disregard of piety in those?...
Renewed Cautions.
... Chapter VI."Renewed cautions. These things I write to you, thou new
olive-tree of Christ, not that I am aware you hold any such...
How the Image of God in the Mind isRenewed Until the Likeness of...
... Book XIV. Chapter 17."How the Image of God in the Mind isRenewed Until
the Likeness of God is Perfected in It in Blessedness. 23....
How the Eternal Birth of God isRenewed Without Interruption in...
... THE THIRD BOOK CHAPTER II. HOW THE ETERNAL BIRTH OF GOD ISRENEWED WITHOUT
INTERRUPTION IN THE NOBILITY OF THE SPIRIT. When we have...
Thesaurus
Renewed (17 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Renewed (17 Occurrences). John 9:15 So the Pharisees
renewed their questioning as to how he had obtained his sight.
...Revival (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (n.)Renewed attention to something, as to letters or literature. 3. (n.)Renewed
performance of, or interest in, something, as the drama and literature....
Renewal (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) The act of renewing, or the state of beingrenewed;
as, the renewal of a treaty. Multi-Version Concordance...
Natural (49 Occurrences)
... apostle also establishes a contrast between "the inward man" and "the outward man."
"Though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man isrenewed day by...
Outward (17 Occurrences)
... without," "out of doors"): The body, subject to decay and death, in distinction
from the inner man, the imperishable spiritual life which "isrenewed day by day...
Faith (769 Occurrences)
... Saving faith is a moral act, as it proceeds from arenewed will, and arenewed will
is necessary to believing assent to the truth of God (1 Corinthians 2:14; 2...
Ahab (85 Occurrences)
... After three years of peace, for some cause Ahabrenewed war (1 Kings 22:3) with
Ben-hadad by assaulting the city of Ramoth-gilead, although the prophet Micaiah...
Judges (117 Occurrences)
... Each successive repentance on the part of the people, however, and their deliverance
are followed, on the death of the judge, byrenewed apostasy, which...
Fresh (41 Occurrences)
... 6. (superl)Renewed in vigor, alacrity, or readiness for action; as, fresh for a
combat; hence, tending to renew in vigor; rather strong; cool or brisk; as, a...
Alliance (12 Occurrences)
... 7. In Post-exilic Times: Judas Maccabeus sought an alliance with the Romans (1
Maccabees 8; Josephus, Ant, XII, x, 6) which wasrenewed by Jonathan (1...
Resources
What does it mean to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about renewal? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the American Standard Version (ASV)? | GotQuestions.orgRenewed: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
