Greek Words for Members/Parts, Mind, and Inner Man

The Greek phrase ὁ ἔσω ἄνθρωπος (ho esō anthrōpos), often translated as "the inner man," refers to the spiritual or immortal aspect of human beings ^{[9, 14]}. This concept is found in several New Testament passages, including Romans 7:22, 2 Corinthians 4:16, and Ephesians 3:16 ^[9].

In Romans 7:22, Paul states, "For I delight in the law of God according to the inner man" (κατὰ τὸν ἔσω ἄνθρωπον) ^[15]. Adam Clarke notes that this phrase is equivalent to "the hidden man of the heart" (ὁ κρυπτὸς τῆς καρδίας ἄνθρωπος) found in 1 Peter 3:4 ^[14]. Both phrases describe the soul, encompassing its affections and passions ^[14]. Clarke argues against the interpretation that "the inward man" in Romans 7:22 specifically means the regenerate part of the soul, suggesting instead that it refers to the recognition of God's law by any person who acknowledges the Old Testament as divine revelation ^[15]. However, other interpretations, such as that found in the Jamieson, Fausset & Brown commentary on Ephesians 3:16, suggest that "the inner (new) man" in believers stands in contrast to their "old man," implying a renewed spiritual nature ^[13]. This commentary further clarifies that the "inner man" is not predicated of unbelievers, whose inward and outward aspects are considered carnal ^[13].

The concept of the "inner man" is closely related to other terms describing human faculties and components. The Greek word for "man," ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos), is a generic term for the human race, equivalent to the Latin homo and the Hebrew adam ^[8]. It can also denote man in opposition to woman ^[8]. Another Greek word, ἀνήρ (anēr), like the Latin vir and Hebrew ish, specifically denotes a man in opposition to a woman or a husband ^[8]. The verb ἀνδρόω (andróō) means "to become a man" ^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7]}.

The New Testament also uses terms to describe the mind and understanding. In 1 Corinthians 14:20, Paul exhorts believers to "be men in understanding" (ἀλλὰ τῇ φρενὶ γίνεσθε τέλειοι). The Greek word for "understanding" here expresses the will of one's spirit, distinct from the "heart" as the will of the soul ^[10]. This same Greek word is used for "minded" in Romans 8:6 ^[10].

The apostle Paul also speaks of the "spirit of your mind" (τῷ πνεύματι τοῦ νοὸς ὑμῶν) in Ephesians 4:23, which is understood as the restored and divinely informed leading principle of the mind ^[12]. This "spirit" of man, in the New Testament context, is seen as worthy of its place when used in its proper sense ^[12]. The renewal implied in this verse (ἀνανεοῦσθαι) suggests a "continued renewal in the youth of the new man," distinct from a renewal from an old state (ἀνακαινοῦσθαι) ^[12].

The tripartite view of humanity, consisting of spirit, soul, and body, is mentioned in 1 Thessalonians 5:23, where Paul prays that "your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless" ^[11]. This verse emphasizes the complete sanctification of a person, encompassing all aspects of their being ^[11]. The Hebrew term מֵעַי (me'ai), meaning "inward parts," also appears in the Old Testament, as seen in Job 30:27 ^[6].

The various terms for "man," "mind," and "inner man" in the Greek New Testament highlight a nuanced understanding of human identity, encompassing both physical and spiritual dimensions, and emphasizing the importance of spiritual renewal and growth.

Sources

TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G6329] ἀνδρόω — to become a man (part 41/126): man, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 3rd c.BC: Lycophron Tragicus 176,943.”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G6329] ἀνδρόω — to become a man (part 35/126): into a man, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 3rd c.BC: Lycophron Tragicus 176,943.”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G6329] ἀνδρόω — to become a man (part 34/126): into a man, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 3rd c.BC: Lycophron Tragicus 176,943.”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G6329] ἀνδρόω — to become a man (part 31/126): nge into a man, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 3rd c.BC: Lycophron Tragicus 176,943.”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G6329] ἀνδρόω — to become a man (part 40/126): a man, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 3rd c.BC: Lycophron Tragicus 176,943.”
STEPBible TAHOT “Job.30.27#01=L — Hebrew tagged text (TAHOT): מֵעַ֖/י [me.'A/i] "inward parts/ my"”
TFLSJ (Liddell-Scott-Jones) “[G6329] ἀνδρόω — to become a man (part 33/126): e into a man, [<a href="javascript:void(0)" title=" 3rd c.BC: Lycophron Tragicus 176,943.”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Man — (1.) Heb. Adam, used as the proper name of the first man. The name is derived from a word meaning "to be red," and thus the first man was called Adam because he was formed from the red earth. It is also the generic name of the human race (Gen. 1:26, 27; 5:2; 8:21; Deut. 8:3). Its equivalents are the Latin homo and the Greek anthropos (Matt. 5:13, 16). It denotes also man in opposition to woman (Gen. 3:12; Matt. 19:10). (2.) Heb. ish, like the Latin vir and Greek aner, denotes properly a man in opposition to a woman (1 Sam. 17:33; Matt. 14:21); a husband (Gen. 3”
Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 7:22: 7:22 with all my heart (literally in my inner person): The Greeks used this phrase to denote the spiritual or immortal side of human beings (cp. 2 Cor 4:16; Eph 3:16).”
1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 14:20: Brethren--an appellation calculated to conciliate their favorable reception of his exhortation. children in understanding--as preference of gifts abused to nonedification would make you (compare Co1 3:1; Mat 10:16; Rom 16:19; Eph 4:14). The Greek for "understanding" expresses the will of one's spirit, Rom 8:6 (it is not found elsewhere); as the "heart" is the will of the "soul." The same Greek is used for "minded" in Rom 8:6. men--full-grown. Be childlike, not childish.”
1 Thessalonians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Thessalonians 5:23: the very God--rather as the Greek, "the God of peace Himself"; who can do for you by His own power what I cannot do by all my monitions, nor you by all your efforts (Rom 16:20; Heb 13:20), namely, keep you from all evil, and give you all that is good. sanctify you--for holiness is the necessary condition of "peace" (Phi 4:6-9). wholly--Greek, "(so that you should be) perfect in every respect" [TITTMANN]. and--that is, "and so (omit 'I pray God'; not in the Greek) may your . . . spirit and soul and body be preserved," &c. whole--A diffe”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 4:23: be renewed--The Greek (ananeousthai) implies "the continued renewal in the youth of the new man." A different Greek word (anakainousthai) implies "renewal from the old state." in the spirit of your mind--As there is no Greek for "in," which there is at Eph 4:17, "in the vanity of their mind," it is better to translate, "By the Spirit of your mind," that is, by your new spiritual nature; the restored and divinely informed leading principle of the mind. The "spirit" of man in New Testament is only then used in its proper sense, as worthy of its plac”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 3:16: according to--that is in abundance consonant to the riches of His glory; not "according to" the narrowness of our hearts. Col 1:11, "Strengthened with all might according to His glorious power." by--Greek, "through"; "by means of His Spirit." in--The Greek implies, "infused into." the inner man-- (Eph 4:22, Eph 4:24; Pe1 3:4); "the hidden man of the heart." Not predicated of unbelievers, whose inward and outward man alike are carnal. But in believers, the "inner (new) man," their true self, stands in contrast to their old man, which is attache”
1 Peter (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Peter 3:4: The hidden man of the heart - Ὁ κρυπτος της καρδιας ανθρωπος. This phrase is of the same import with that of St. Paul, Rom 7:22, ὁ εσω ανθρωπος, the inner man; that is, the soul, with the whole system of affections and passions. Every part of the Scripture treats man as a compound being: the body is the outward or visible man; the soul, the inward, hidden, or invisible man. The term ανθρωπος, man, is derived, according to the best etymologists, from ανα τρεπων ωπα, turning the face upward. This derivation of the word is beautifully paraphrased by Ovid. The whole p”
Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 7:22: I delight in the law of God after the inward man - Every Jew, and every unregenerate man, who receives the Old Testament as a revelation from God, must acknowledge the great purity, excellence and utility of its maxims, etc., though he will ever find that without the grace of our Lord Jesus he can never act according to those heavenly maxims; and without the mercy of God, can never be redeemed from the curse entailed upon him for his past transgressions. To say that the inward man means the regenerate part of the soul, is supportable by no argument. Ὁ εσω ανθρωπος,”

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