Jumping into the middle here -- I will go back and read as I am able. I see "Spirit" or "spirit" in various translations -- interesting.
When commentators dig into the Greek, I like to dig in with them. The Greek noun καινότητι (lex καινότης -- "newness") only appears in Romans 6:4 and 7:6, but the related adjective καινὸν (lex καινός - "new") appears in a number of other places including Matt. 26:29, Mark 2:21 and 14:25, Luke 5:36, Eph. 2:15 and 4:24, and Rev. 2:17. I would say that all of these relate to the "newness" of the Romans 6 and 7 references. Some of the others do not.
Similarly, the Greek noun παλαιότητι (lex παλαιότης -- "oldness") only appears once in the NT, but the related adjective παλαιός (lexical form, several inflections -- "old") and the verb παλαιούμενα/παλαιωθήσονται/παλαιούμενον (lex παλαιόω -- "to make or become old, wear out") appear in Matt. 9:16-17, Mark 2:21-22, Luke 5:36-37 and 12:33, and Heb. 1:11 and 8:13. Again, related, I think.
So there is plenty of support for this interpretation, and I haven't even mentioned references in the Septuagint. Here's one for "new" (I didn't find a related occurrence for "old"):
Ezek. 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new [καινὴν] heart and put a new [καινὸν] spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
I have wrestled with Paul's varying use of "law" (νόμος) for a long time, but over time his writing makes more and more sense. I am currently working my way through Psalm 119, one "letter" at a time, and does the greater meaning ever come across there!
Jumping into the middle here -- I will go back and read as I am able. I see "Spirit" or "spirit" in various translations -- interesting.
When commentators dig into the Greek, I like to dig in with them. The Greek noun καινότητι (lex καινότης -- "newness") only appears in Romans 6:4 and 7:6, but the related adjective καινὸν (lex καινός - "new") appears in a number of other places including Matt. 26:29, Mark 2:21 and 14:25, Luke 5:36, Eph. 2:15 and 4:24, and Rev. 2:17. I would say that all of these relate to the "newness" of the Romans 6 and 7 references. Some of the others do not.
Similarly, the Greek noun παλαιότητι (lex παλαιότης -- "oldness") only appears once in the NT, but the related adjective παλαιός (lexical form, several inflections -- "old") and the verb παλαιούμενα/παλαιωθήσονται/παλαιούμενον (lex παλαιόω -- "to make or become old, wear out") appear in Matt. 9:16-17, Mark 2:21-22, Luke 5:36-37 and 12:33, and Heb. 1:11 and 8:13. Again, related, I think.
So there is plenty of support for this interpretation, and I haven't even mentioned references in the Septuagint. Here's one for "new" (I didn't find a related occurrence for "old"):
Ezek. 36:26 “Moreover, I will give you a new [καινὴν] heart and put a new [καινὸν] spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.
I have wrestled with Paul's varying use of "law" (νόμος) for a long time, but over time his writing makes more and more sense. I am currently working my way through Psalm 119, one "letter" at a time, and does the greater meaning ever come across there!
Psa. 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may behold
Wonderful things from Your Law.
I appreciate you bringing these things out from the Greek! There are so many various little connections.
Well done, my friend.
Thanks Jim!