KAINOS (New)

WRITTEN BY DREW MATZ

What is the Word?

There’s something that we all seem to like about “newness.” A new pair of sneakers, a new car, a new job – you get the idea. But what is it about this “newness” that we all seem to love so much?
When we think of something new, we tend to think of an upgrade. The old has passed away, and now we identify with something completely different. The Bible speaks in a similar manner about our life in Christ and our sinful nature. The word that the New Testament uses for “new” is kainos.

How does the Bible use this word?

In the scriptures, kainos is an adjective that denotes a qualitative change – such as “new” or “fresh.” It tends to describe a situation where what is “new” is always better in quality than what precedes. It may even draw up ideas of “surprise” or “novelty.” We can see this example numerous times in the scriptures, from the idea of a “New Covenant” to a “New Creation.”

Where in the Bible?

Jesus uses this concept abundantly when he discusses the New Covenant:

A new (καινὴν) commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

-John 13:34

Jesus teaches us here about the all-encompassing view of love. It is the law all summed up into one word – not as an abrogation of his commandments, but as the underlying principle behind all of his commands. God is love in and of himself, and his commandments flow from this love. When he makes all things new, what he means is that all things will be transformed, quite literally, by the love of God.

Behold, I am Making All Things New

Sometimes life can present us with the feeling that things will never change. We may feel like we are always run down, like we will never be able to come out of the other side. Jesus teaches us to keep the faith and to kindle the hope that is in us. He has promised to make all things new and he will give us rest for our souls.