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G3501 · Greek · New Testament
νέος
neos
Adjective
New (in time) / young / fresh

Definition

The Greek adjective neos (νέος) means new in time, young, recently born or made — as distinct from kainos (new in quality or nature). Neos refers to what is chronologically recent or young; kainos to what is qualitatively different. Both appear in NT discussions of the "new" covenant, man, and creation — and the distinction matters theologically.

Usage & Theological Significance

Colossians 3:10 uses neos for the new self: "put on the new (neon) self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.\” Here neos captures the freshly created, newly born character of the regenerate person — the newborn life that requires ongoing renewal. Ephesians 4:24 uses kainos for the same concept, emphasizing the qualitative difference of the new self.

Luke 5:38 uses neos for new wineskins: the new wine of the Kingdom requires new (neous) containers — the fresh, elastic structures appropriate to the Spirit's movement. The old wineskins of rigid religious tradition cannot contain the dynamic life Christ brings. Neos in this context is not just "recent" but alive, flexible, growth-capable — the qualities of youth transferred to ecclesiology.

Key Bible Verses

Colossians 3:10 And have put on the new (neon) self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.
Luke 5:38 No, new wine must be poured into new (neous) wineskins.
Hebrews 12:24 To Jesus the mediator of a new (neas) covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.
Titus 2:4-5 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure.
1 Timothy 5:1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers.

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