### Core Meaning & Semantic Range
The Greek word **ágnaphos**, represented by `{{G46}}`, means properly, **unfulled**, or by implication **new (cloth)**. This term is highly specific, appearing just **2 times** in **2 unique verses** in the Bible. It describes cloth that has not been through the finishing process, which would cause it to shrink.
### Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis
In both of its occurrences, `{{G46}}` is used by Jesus in a parable to illustrate the nature of His new kingdom. He explains that no one uses a piece of **new** cloth to patch an old garment [[Matthew 9:16]]. The reason given is that the patch, being unshrunk, would pull away from the old material and make the tear, or **schísma** `{{G4978}}`, even worse. The parallel account in Mark's Gospel uses the same illustration, stating that the new piece takes away from the old, and the rent is made worse [[Mark 2:21]].
### Related Words & Concepts
Several related words provide the context for the parable of the new cloth:
* `{{G1915}}` **epíblēma** (a patch): This is the specific "piece" of new cloth being applied. It is the object that causes the incompatibility [[Matthew 9:16]].
* `{{G3820}}` **palaiós** (old): This describes the garment being mended as "antique, i.e. not recent, worn out." It provides the essential contrast to the new cloth [[Mark 2:21]].
* `{{G4470}}` **rhákos** (cloth): This specifies the material being discussed, defined as a "'rag,' i.e. piece of cloth" [[Matthew 9:16]].
* `{{G4978}}` **schísma** (a split or gap): This is the resulting "rent" or "division" that is made worse by the improper mixture, highlighting the negative consequence [[Mark 2:21]].
### Theological Significance
The theological weight of `{{G46}}` is found entirely within its parabolic use, which teaches a fundamental principle about the newness of the gospel.
* **The Principle of Incompatibility:** The core message is that the new system of faith in Christ cannot simply be used to "patch" the old systems of religious works. The two are fundamentally incompatible, and attempting to merge them will only damage the old structure and create a worse **schísma** `{{G4978}}` or division [[Matthew 9:16]].
* **The Nature of the New:** The "new" (**ágnaphos**) cloth is distinct. In Mark's account, the word **kainós** `{{G2537}}` is also used for the patch, a term associated elsewhere with the "new man" [[Ephesians 4:24]] and the "new creature" in Christ [[2 Corinthians 5:17]]. This implies the Gospel requires a total transformation, not a superficial addition.
* **Warning Against Syncretism:** The imagery warns against trying to contain the new life in Christ within old, rigid structures. The result is not improvement but a worsened tear, a "division" that underscores the separation between the old way and the new. This is seen in how Christ's ministry often created a **schísma** `{{G4978}}` among the people [[John 7:43]].
### Summary
In summary, `{{G46}}` is a precisely chosen term used to deliver a powerful lesson. While its usage is rare, its meaning within the parable of the new cloth on an old garment is foundational. It illustrates that the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an addition or a repair to an old way of life but a radical, transformative newness that requires a completely new framework to contain it. The attempt to simply patch the old with the new leads only to ruin.
TRV