1Ti 3:6 not an n, lest he be puffed up
Neophyte (gr. neofutos, literally “newly planted”). A term that only appears in 1 Tit 3:6 From the context, neofutes refers to an inexperienced person or one who has just been converted.
Source: Evangelical Bible Dictionary
New believer. This is how the newly baptized were called on Easter night in the primitive Church, after having finished the catechumenate. The community cared especially for these new Christians, who often wear a white dress distinctive of their new status in the community.
Pedro Chico González, Dictionary of Catechesis and Religious Pedagogy, Editorial Bruño, Lima, Peru 2006
Source: Dictionary of Catechesis and Religious Pedagogy
neofutos (neovfuto”, 3504), adjective, lit. newly planted (from neos, new, and fuo, to produce), denotes a new convert, a neophyte (1Ti 3:6), one who because of his inexperience cannot act as bishop or overseer in a church.¶ In the LXX , Job 14:9; Psalm 128:3; 144.12; Isa 5:7:¶
Source: Vine New Testament Dictionary
This is how the newly baptized convert was called in the ancient church, who would wear the white baptismal clothes for eight days. the greek neofutes“newly planted,” occurs only once in the NT (1 Tim. 3:6), and is closely related in meaning to the Latin novice, “new”, from which the Spanish “novice” is derived. In the mystery religions a neophyte was that newly initiated cultist. Within Roman Catholicism, new converts from other religions and newly ordained priests or nuns are called neophytes.
Donald G Davis
Harrison, EF, Bromiley, GW, & Henry, CFH (2006). Dictionary of Theology (418). Grand Rapids, MI: Challenge Books.
Source: Dictionary of Theology
THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN IN 1911 AND IS IN THE PROCESS OF UPDATING.
Neophyte (Greek, neothutoi, the newly planted, that is, incorporated into the mystical body of Christ) is a term applied in theology to all who have lately entered a new and higher state or condition of life, for example , those who have begun ecclesiastical life, or have joined a religious order. More particularly it is used for those who, recently converted from paganism, by the sacrament of baptism, have been transplanted into the higher life of the Church.
From very remote times there have been prohibitions against neophytes in this last sense being promoted too quickly to holy orders and positions of responsibility in the Church. Thus, the Council of Nicaea, in its second canon, establishes norms on this subject, on the basis that at some point it is necessary for the status of a catechumen and for a fuller test after baptism, because the apostolic decree is clear , and says as follows: “Let him not be a neophyte, lest, carried away by pride, he fall into the same condemnation of the devil” (1 Tim. 3,6). The period that must elapse after conversion before promotion is not fixed, but (Benedict XIV, “De Syn.”, VII, 65-6) left to the discretion of the bishop and will vary according to the individual case. (See divorce, subheading Pauline Privilege.)
Source: Barnes, Arthur. “Neophyte.” The Catholic Encyclopaedia. Vol. 10. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1911. Dec. 23, 2012
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/10742a.htm
Translated by Luz María Hernández Medina.
Source: Catholic Encyclopedia