Scripture Queries and Answers: Question on Greek

 •  1 min. read  •  grade level: 7
Q. What is the difference between παλαιός and ἀρχαῖος? and how do they stand in relation to νεός and καινός?
A. Παλαιός = more " the former," ἀρχαῖος " ancient, antique." You could not say ἀρχαῖος ἂνθρωπος in the sense of παλαιός. 'Aρχαῖος is opposed to νέος but cannot be so absolutely to καινός. But ἀρχαῖος can be neither νέος nor καινός. It may be opposed to both: so may be παλαιός. It is contrasted with καινός bat it is not the νἐος—what now begins. In 2 Cor. 5 ἀρχαῖα are things which have been of old, a long time; we have a new system or creation. So in Matt. 13:5252Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. (Matthew 13:52): they are things καινὰ καἱ παλαιά, the old scribe knowledge, and other new things.