παλιγγενεσία (palingenesia)
palingenesia
regeneration
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 2 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun palingenesia means a new birth or a radical renewal. It describes a restoration to an original, perfect state, whether applied to people or the world itself. In the New Testament, this concept appears in two distinct contexts that reflect its broad range.
In Titus 3:5, Paul uses it for personal spiritual regeneration, describing how God saves believers through a washing of rebirth. Here, the word points to an internal transformation where a person receives a new life consecrated to God. In Matthew 19:28, Jesus employs the term differently, referring to the "renewal of all things" at the end of the age. This usage looks forward to a cosmic restoration, echoing Jewish expectations of a glorious change in creation when the Messiah returns.
The word combines palin ("again") and genesis ("birth" or "origin"). This etymology highlights that regeneration is not merely improvement but a return to a primal state of perfection. Translators often render it as "regeneration," though this English term can feel narrow; the Greek carries the weight of both personal spiritual renewal and cosmic restoration.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word palingenesia offers a beautiful picture of where our faith begins and where it is headed. In Titus, we see that salvation is not about earning God’s favor through good deeds, but receiving a fresh start through His mercy. This personal regeneration washes away the old and gives us new life in the Spirit.
But this hope extends far beyond our individual hearts. Jesus points to a future time when He sits on His throne of glory, bringing about the regeneration of all things. It is a promise that creation itself will be restored to its intended perfection. This dual meaning reminds us that God’s work is both intimate and cosmic.
Whether you are facing personal struggles or looking at a broken world, this word assures you that renewal is possible. We can trust in the Spirit who transforms us now and in the Creator who will restore everything later. There is a deep peace in knowing that our lives are part of a grander story of restoration.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 2 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- regeneration,1×
- of regeneration1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- παλιγγενεσίᾳ,1×
- παλιγγενεσίας1×
Key Verses
-
Titus 3:5
not by works of righteousness which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy, he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,
This verse grounds the concept in personal salvation, showing that regeneration is a gift of mercy rather than a result of human effort.
-
Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that you who have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on the throne of his glory, you also will sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
Here the term expands to include cosmic renewal, linking our future hope with the Messiah's return and the restoration of creation.