### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word ῥάκος (rhákos, `{{G4470}}`) refers to a "rag" or a "piece of cloth." Its etymological root lies in the verb ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnymi, `{{G4486}}`), meaning "to tear," "to break," or "to burst." This etymological connection is crucial, as it implies that ῥάκος is not merely any piece of cloth, but specifically a torn, worn, or broken piece. It carries the connotation of something old, used, and likely of little value, in contrast to a new, whole, or strong fabric. The term thus denotes a fragment, often implying a state of disrepair or being unfit for its original purpose without further mending or integration.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
The term ῥάκος appears only once in the New Testament, in the Synoptic Gospels, specifically in the parable concerning the new patch on an old garment:
* [[Matthew 9:16]]: "No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth (ῥάκος ἀγνάφου) on an old garment; for the patch pulls away from the garment, and a worse tear results."
* [[Mark 2:21]]: "No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth (ῥάκος ἀγνάφου) on an old garment; otherwise the new patch pulls away from the old, and a worse tear results."
In both instances, ῥάκος is qualified by ἀγνάφου (agnaphou, "unshrunk" or "new"), emphasizing the contrast between the new, strong, unwashed material and the old, worn, and presumably shrunk garment. Jesus uses this common observation to illustrate a profound spiritual truth. The "new patch" represents the radical newness of His teaching, His kingdom, and the New Covenant, while the "old garment" symbolizes the existing religious traditions, the Old Covenant, or the established Jewish legalistic system. The point of the parable is that these two realities are incompatible. Attempting to simply "patch" the old with the new will not result in improvement but rather destruction, making the original tear worse. The new, strong patch will tear away from the weak, brittle old garment, leading to a greater rupture. This parable, alongside that of new wine in old wineskins, underscores the necessity of a complete transformation rather than a superficial amendment.
### Related Words & Concepts
Understanding ῥάκος is enhanced by examining its relationship with other pertinent Greek terms and theological concepts:
* **ῥήγνυμι (rhēgnymi, `{{G4486}}`):** The root verb, signifying the act of tearing or breaking, which directly informs the nature of ῥάκος as a torn piece.
* **ἱμάτιον (himátion, `{{G2440}}`):** A general term for an outer garment or cloak, which is the "old garment" upon which the ῥάκος is sewn.
* **παλαιός (palaios, `{{G3820}}`):** "Old," "ancient," used to describe the garment, highlighting its worn-out state.
* **καινός (kainos, `{{G2537}}`):** "New," "fresh," "of a new kind," implicitly contrasting with the old garment and representing the nature of the "new patch" and Jesus' teaching.
* **Old Covenant vs. New Covenant:** The core theological concept illuminated by the parable. The ῥάκος parable illustrates the incompatibility of merely adding Christ's teachings to the existing framework of the Mosaic Law or Pharisaic traditions.
* **Spiritual Transformation:** The parable implies that true spiritual renewal requires a fundamental change, not just superficial adherence or modification.
### Theological Significance
The singular use of ῥάκος in the Gospels carries immense theological weight. It serves as a potent symbol within Jesus' teaching on the radical nature of His ministry and the Kingdom of God. The incompatibility of the "new patch" (Christ's teaching, the gospel, the New Covenant) with the "old garment" (the Mosaic Law, traditional Judaism, human-made religious systems) highlights that salvation and spiritual life in Christ are not mere reforms or additions to existing structures. Instead, they demand a complete reorientation.
The "worse tear" (σχίσμα χεῖρον, schisma cheiron) that results from patching signifies the destructive outcome of attempting to force the vibrant, transformative power of the gospel into rigid, worn-out forms. It suggests that such an attempt will not only fail to achieve its purpose but will also exacerbate the problem, leading to a greater spiritual rupture. This parable underscores the necessity of a paradigm shift, a willingness to abandon old forms that cannot contain the new life offered by Christ. It is a call for radical conversion and a recognition that the new wine of the gospel requires new wineskins, and the new life in Christ requires a new spiritual garment, not just a patched-up old one.
### Summary
ῥάκος (rhákos, `{{G4470}}`) literally denotes a "rag" or a "piece of cloth," specifically one that is torn or worn, deriving from the verb "to tear." Though appearing only once in the New Testament (in [[Matthew 9:16]] and [[Mark 2:21]]), its significance is profound. In the parable of the new patch on an old garment, ῥάκος symbolizes the "new, unshrunk cloth" that is incompatible with the "old garment" of existing religious systems or the Old Covenant. This powerful imagery teaches that the radical newness of Christ's gospel cannot be merely appended to or patched onto old forms; attempting to do so will only lead to greater damage. The word thus serves as a key component in Jesus' teaching on the necessity of a complete spiritual transformation and the fundamental distinction between the Old and New Covenants, underscoring that the new life in Christ demands new spiritual vessels and a new way of living.
TRV