spirit
Hebrew: ruah; Greek: pneuma, meaning wind or breath
In 2 Thess. 2:8 it means “breath,” and in Eccl. 8:8 the vital principle in man.
It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Acts 7:59; 1 Corinthians 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Hebrews 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Luke 24:37, 39), an angel (Hebrews 1:14), and a demon (Luke 4:36; 10:20).
The words translated “spirit” and “soul,” in 1 Thess. 5:23, Hebrews 4:12, are habitually used interchangeably (Matthew 10:28; 16:26; 1 Peter 1:22). The “spirit” (Greek: pneuma) is the soul as rational; the “soul” (Greek: psuche) is the same, considered as the animating and vital principle of the body.
This word is used also metaphorically as denoting a tendency (Zechariah 12:10; Luke 13:11).
In Romans 1:4, 1 Timothy 3:16, 2 Corinthians 3:17, 1 Peter 3:18, it designates the divine nature.
More information
- angel
- baptism of the Holy Spirit
- blasphemy against Holy Spirit
- conversion
- death
- eternal death
- familiar spirit
- ghost
- Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost)
- intercession of the Spirit
- man
- regeneration
- resurrection of the dead
- sanctification
- spiritual gifts
- trinity
- witness of the Spirit
- How is the wind like the Holy Spirit?