Reference: Spirit
American
A word employed in various senses in Scripture.
1. For THE HOLY SPIRIT, the third person of the Holy Trinity, who inspired the prophets, animates good men, pours his unction into our hearts, imparts to us life and comfort; and in whose name we are baptized and blessed, as well as in that of the Father and the Son. When the adjective Holy is applied to the term Spirit, we should always understand it as here explained; but there are many places whether it must be taken in this sense, although the term Holy is omitted. See HOLY SPIRIT.
2. BREATH, respiration; or the principle of animal life, common to men and animal: this God has given, and this he recalls when he takes away life, Ec 3:21. See SOUL.
3. The RATIONAL SOUL which animates us, and preserves its being after the death of the body. That spiritual, reasoning, and choosing substance, which is capable of eternal happiness. See SOUL.
The "spirits in prison," 1Pe 3:19, it is generally thought, are the souls of antediluvian sinners now reserved unto the judgment-day, but unto whom the Spirit preached by the agency of Noah, etc., 2Pe 2:5, when they were in the flesh. Thus Christ "preached" to the Ephesians, whom he never visited in person, Eph 2:17.
4. An ANGEL, good or bad; a soul separate from the body, Mr 14:26. It is said, Ac 23:8, that the Sadducees denied the existence of angels and spirits. Christ, appearing to his disciples, said to them, Lu 24:39, "Handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
5. The DISPOSITION of the mind or intellect. Thus we read of a spirit of jealously, a spirit of fornication, a spirit of prayer, a spirit of infirmity, a spirit of wisdom and understanding, a spirit of fear of the Lord, Ho 4:12; Zec 12:10; Lu 13:11; Isa 11:2.
6. The RENEWED NATURE of true believers, which is produced by the Holy Spirit, and conforms the soul to his likeness. Spirit is thus the opposite of flesh, Joh 3:6. This spirit is virally united with, an in some passages can hardly be distinguished from the "Spirit of Christ," which animates true Christians, the children of God, and distinguishes them from the children of darkness, who are animated by the spirit of the world, Ro 8:1-16. This indwelling Spirit is the gift of grace, of adoption-the Holy Spirit poured into our hearts-which emboldens us to call God "Abba, my Father." Those who are influenced by this Spirit "have crucified the flesh, with its affections and lusts," Ga 5:16-25.
Distinguishing or discerning of spirits consisted in discerning whether a man were really inspired by the Spirit of God, or was a false prophet, an impostor, who only followed the impulse of his own spirit or of Satan. Paul speaks, 1Co 12:10 of the discerning of spirits as being among the miraculous gifts granted by God to the faithful at the first settlement of Christianity.
To "quench the Spirit," 1Th 5:19, is a metaphorical expression easily understood. The Spirit may be quenched by forcing, as it were, that divine Agent to withdraw from us, by irregularity of life, frivolity, avarice, negligence, or other sins contrary to charity, truth, peace, and his other gifts and qualifications.
We "grieve" the Spirit of God by withstanding his holy inspirations, the impulses of his grace; or by living in a lukewarm and incautious manner; by despising his gifts, or neglecting them; by abusing his favors, either out of vanity, curiosity, or indifference. In a contrary sense, 2Ti 1:6, we "stir up" the Spirit of God which is in us, by the practice of virtue, by compliance with his inspirations, by fervor in his service, by renewing our gratitude, and by diligently serving Christ and doing the works of the Spirit.
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Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the breath of the beast that goeth down into the earth?
My people ask counsel at their stocks, their staff must tell them. For a whorish mind hath deceived them, so that they commit fornication against their God.
Moreover, upon the house of David and upon the citizens of Jerusalem, will I pour out the spirit of grace and prayer, so that they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced: and they shall beweep him, as men mourn for their only begotten son: Yea, and be sorry for him, as men are sorry for their first child
And when they had said grace, they went out into the Mount Olivet.
And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and was bowed together, and could not lift up herself at all.
Behold my hands and my feet: that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
That which is born of the flesh, is flesh. And that which is born of the spirit, is spirit.
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees grant both.
There is, then, no damnation to them which are in Christ Jesus: which walk not after the flesh but after the spirit: For the law of the spirit, that bringeth life through Jesus Christ, hath delivered me from the law of sin, and death: read more. For what the law could not do, inasmuch as it was weak because of the flesh - that performed God, and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh, and by sin damned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness required of the law might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For they that are carnal, are carnally minded; But they that are spiritual are spiritually minded. To be carnally minded is death; But to be spiritually minded is life, and peace: because that the fleshly mind is enmity against God: For it is not obedient to the law of God, neither can be. So then, they that are given to the flesh, cannot please God. But ye are not given to the flesh; But to the spirit: If so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. If there be any man that hath not the spirit of Christ, the same is none of his. If Christ be in you: the body is dead, because of sin; But the spirit is life for righteousness' sake. Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are now debtors; not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die. But if ye mortify the deeds of the body, by the help of the spirit, ye shall live, for as many as are led by the spirit of God: they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear anymore, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, "Abba father." The same spirit certifieth our spirit that we are the sons of God.
to another, power to do miracles; to another prophecy; to another, judgment of spirits; to another divers tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
I say, walk in the spirit, and fulfil not the lusts of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth contrary to the spirit, and the spirit contrary to the flesh. These are contrary one to the other, so that ye cannot do that which ye would. read more. But and if ye be led of the spirit, then are ye not under the law. The deeds of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, wantonness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, lawing, zeal, wrath, strife, sedition, sects, envying, murder, drunkenness, gluttony, and such like. Of the which I tell you before, as I have told you in time past, that they which commit such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is: love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, temperance. Against such there is no law. They that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the appetites and lusts. If we live in the spirit, let us walk in the spirit.
and came, and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Quench not the spirit,
Wherefore I warn thee that thou stir up the gift of God which is in thee, by the putting on of my hands.
In which spirit, he also went and preached unto the spirits that were in prison,
neither spared the old world, but saved Noah, the eighth preacher of righteousness, and brought in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;
Easton
(Heb ruah; Gr. pneuma), properly wind or breath. In 2Th 2:8 it means "breath," and in Ec 8:8 the vital principle in man. It also denotes the rational, immortal soul by which man is distinguished (Ac 7:59; 1Co 5:5; 6:20; 7:34), and the soul in its separate state (Heb 12:23), and hence also an apparition (Job 4:15; Lu 24:37,39), an angel (Heb 1:14), and a demon (Lu 4:36; 10:20). This word is used also metaphorically as denoting a tendency (Zec 12:10; Lu 13:11).
In Ro 1:4; 1Ti 3:16; 2Co 3:17; 1Pe 3:18, it designates the divine nature.
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And when the wind passed by before my presence it made the hairs of my flesh stand up.
Neither is there any man that hath power over the spirit, to keep still the spirit, nor to have any power in the time of death: it is not he also that can make an end of the battle, neither may ungodliness deliver him that meddleth withall.
Moreover, upon the house of David and upon the citizens of Jerusalem, will I pour out the spirit of grace and prayer, so that they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced: and they shall beweep him, as men mourn for their only begotten son: Yea, and be sorry for him, as men are sorry for their first child
And fear came on them all; And they spake among themselves, saying, "What manner a thing is this? For with authority and power he commandeth the foul spirits and they come out."
Nevertheless, in this rejoice not, that the spirits are under your power: But rejoice because your names are written in heaven."
And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and was bowed together, and could not lift up herself at all.
And they were abashed, and afraid, supposing that they had seen a spirit.
Behold my hands and my feet: that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
And they stoned Stephen, calling on and saying, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit."
and declared to be the son of God with power of the holy ghost, that sanctifieth, since the time that Jesus Christ our Lord rose again from death:
And all things, whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him.
and then shall that wicked be uttered, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the appearance of his coming,
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men:
Fausets
Hebrew ruach, Greek pneuma. Man in his normal integrity ("whole," holokleeron, complete in all its parts, 1Th 5:23) consists of "spirit, soul, and body." The spirit links man with higher intelligences, and is that highest part receptive of the quickening Holy Spirit (1Co 15:47). The soul (Hebrew nephesh, Greek psuchee) is intermediate between body and spirit; it is the sphere of the will and affections.
In the unspiritual, the spirit is so sunk under the animal soul (which it ought to keep under) that such are "animal" ("seasonal," having merely the body of organized matter and the soul, the immaterial animating essence), "having not the spirit" (Jg 1:19; Jas 3:15; 1Co 2:14; 15:44-48; Joh 3:6). The unbeliever shall rise with an animal (soul-animated) body, but not, like the believer, with a spiritual (spirit-endued) body like Christ's (Ro 8:11).
The soul is the seat of the appetites, the desires, the will; hunger, thirst, sorrow, joy; love, hope, fear, etc.; so that nephesh is the man himself, and is used for person, self, creature, any: a virtual contradiction of materialism, implying that the unseen soul rather than the seen body is the man. "Man was made" not a living body but "a living soul." "The blood, the life," links together body and soul (Le 17:11).
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for the life of the flesh is in the blood; and I have given it unto you upon the altar, to make an atonement for your souls, for blood shall make an atonement for the soul.
And the LORD was with Judah that he conquered the mountains, but they could not drive out the inhabiters of the valleys, because they had chariots of iron.
That which is born of the flesh, is flesh. And that which is born of the spirit, is spirit.
Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you.
The first man is of the earth, earthy: The second man is the Lord, from heaven.
and hath put out the handwriting that was against us, contained in the law written, and that hath he taken out of the way, and hath fastened it to his cross,
The very God of peace sanctify you throughout. And I pray God that your whole spirit, soul, and body, be kept faultless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
This wisdom descendeth not from above: but is earthy, and natural, and devilish.
Hastings
The term is applied to God as defining His nature generally (Joh 4:24), and also as describing one element in that nature, His self-consciousness (1Co 2:11). It expresses not only God's immateriality, but also His transcendence of limitations of time and space. In the phrases 'Spirit of God,' the 'Spirit of the Lord,' the 'Spirit of Jesus Christ,' the 'Holy Spirit,' the 'Spirit of Truth,' the third Person in the Godhead is described (see Holy Spirit). The term is applied to personal powers of evil other than man (Mt 10:1; 12:45; Lu 4:33; 7:21; 1Ti 4:1; cf. Eph 6:12), as well as personal powers of good (Heb 1:14), and to human beings after death, either damned (1Pe 3:19) or blessed (Heb 12:23). It is used also as personifying an influence (1Jo 4:6; Eph 2:2; Ro 8:15). Its most distinctive use is in the psychology of the Christian life. The contrast between 'soul' and 'spirit,' and between 'flesh' and 'spirit,' has already been noted in the articles on these terms. While soul and spirit are not to be regarded as separate faculties, yet 'spirit' expresses the direct dependence of the life in man on God, first in creation (Ge 2:7), but especially, according to the Pauline doctrine, in regeneration. The life in man, isolating itself from, and opposing itself to, God, is soul; that life, cleansed and renewed by the Spirit of God, is spirit; intimate as is the relation of God and man in the new life, the Spirit of God is distinguished from the spirit of man (Ro 8:16), although it is not always possible to make the distinction. In Acts the phrase 'holy spirit' sometimes means the subjective human state produced ('holy enthusiasm'), and sometimes the objective Divine cause producing (see 'Acts' in the Century Bible, p. 386). As the Spirit is the source of this new life, whatever belongs to it is 'spiritual' (pneumatikon), as house, sacrifices (1Pe 2:5), understanding (Col 1:9), songs (Col 3:16), food, drink, rock (1Co 10:3-4); and the 'spiritual' and 'soulish' (rendered 'carnal' or 'natural') are contrasted (1Co 2:14; 15:44,46). Spirit as an ecstatic state is also distinguished from mind (1Co 14:14,16), as inwardness from letter (Ro 2:29; 7:6; 2Co 3:6). The old creation
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Then the LORD God shope man, even of the mold of the earth, and breathed into his face the breath of life. So man was made a living soul.
Then the LORD God shope man, even of the mold of the earth, and breathed into his face the breath of life. So man was made a living soul.
For thus sayeth God the LORD unto him, even he that made the heavens, and spread them abroad, and set forth the earth with her increase: which giveth breath unto the people that is in it, and to them that dwell therein,
And he called his twelve disciples unto him, and gave them power over all unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sicknesses, and all manner of diseases.
Then he goeth his way, and taketh unto him seven other spirits worse than himself, and so enter they in and dwell there. And the end of that man is worse than the beginning. Even so shall it be with this evil nation."
And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried with a loud voice,
And at the same time, he cured many of their infirmities and plagues, and of evil spirits: and unto many that were blind, he gave sight.
God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit, and truth."
But he is a Jew which is hid within, and the circumcision of the heart is the true circumcision, which is in the spirit, and not in the letter: whose praise is not of men but of God.
But now are we delivered from the law, and dead from that whereunto we were in bondage: that we should serve in a new conversation of the spirit, and not in the old conversation of the letter.
There is, then, no damnation to them which are in Christ Jesus: which walk not after the flesh but after the spirit: For the law of the spirit, that bringeth life through Jesus Christ, hath delivered me from the law of sin, and death: read more. For what the law could not do, inasmuch as it was weak because of the flesh - that performed God, and sent his son in the similitude of sinful flesh, and by sin damned sin in the flesh; that the righteousness required of the law might be fulfilled in us, which walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit. For they that are carnal, are carnally minded; But they that are spiritual are spiritually minded. To be carnally minded is death; But to be spiritually minded is life, and peace: because that the fleshly mind is enmity against God: For it is not obedient to the law of God, neither can be. So then, they that are given to the flesh, cannot please God. But ye are not given to the flesh; But to the spirit: If so be that the spirit of God dwell in you. If there be any man that hath not the spirit of Christ, the same is none of his. If Christ be in you: the body is dead, because of sin; But the spirit is life for righteousness' sake. Wherefore, if the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from death, dwell in you: even he that raised up Christ from death, shall quicken your mortal bodies, because that this spirit dwelleth in you. Therefore, brethren, we are now debtors; not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: For if ye live after the flesh, ye must die. But if ye mortify the deeds of the body, by the help of the spirit, ye shall live, for as many as are led by the spirit of God: they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear anymore, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, "Abba father."
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage to fear anymore, but ye have received the spirit of adoption whereby we cry, "Abba father." The same spirit certifieth our spirit that we are the sons of God.
The same spirit certifieth our spirit that we are the sons of God. If we be sons, we are also heirs: the heirs, I mean, of God: and heirs annexed with Christ. If so be that we suffer together, that we may be glorified together.
For what man knoweth the things of a man: save the spirit of a man which is within him? Even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the spirit of God.
For the natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are but foolishness unto him: Neither can he perceive them, because he is spiritually examined.
and did all eat of one spiritual meat, and did all drink of one manner of spiritual drink. And they drank of that spiritual rock that followed them, Which rock was Christ.
If I pray with tongues, my spirit prayeth: but my mind is without fruit.
For else when thou blessest with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say "amen" at thy giving of thanks? Seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
It is sown a natural body, and riseth a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is a spiritual body.
Howbeit, that is not first which is spiritual: but that which is natural, and then that which is spiritual.
in the which, in time past, ye walked, according to the course of this world, and after the governor that ruleth in the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of unbelief,
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood: but against rule, against power, and against worldly rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness for heavenly things.
For this cause we also, since the day we heard of it have not ceased praying for you, and desiring that ye might be fulfilled with the knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,
In whom also ye are circumcised with circumcision made without hands, by putting off the sinful body of the flesh, through the circumcision that is in Christ, in that ye are buried with him through baptism, in whom ye are also risen again through faith, that is wrought by the operation of God which raised him from death.
for which thing's sakes the wrath of God cometh on the children of unbelief.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you plenteously in all wisdom. Teach and exhort your own selves, in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs which have favour with them, singing in your hearts to the Lord.
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?
and unto the congregation of the first born sons, which are written in heaven, and to God, the judge of all, and to the spirits of just and perfect men:
and ye, as living stones, are made a spiritual house, and a holy priesthood, for to offer up spiritual sacrifice, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
In which spirit, he also went and preached unto the spirits that were in prison,
We be of God, and he that knoweth God heareth us: and he that is not of God, heareth us not. And hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Morish
See SOUL.
Watsons
SPIRIT, in Hebrew, ??? in Greek, ??????, and in Latin, spiritus, is in the Scriptures sometimes taken for the Holy Ghost, the third person of the Holy Trinity. The word signifies also the reasonable soul which animates us, and continues in existence even after the death of the body; that spiritual, thinking and reasoning substance, which is capable of eternal happiness, Nu 16:22; Ac 7:59. The term spirit is also often used for an angel, a demon, and a ghost, or soul separate from the body. It is said, in Ac 23:8, that the Sadducees denied the existence of angels and spirits. Jesus Christ appearing to his disciples, said to them, Lu 24:39, "Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have." And St. Paul calls the good angels "ministering spirits," Heb 1:14. In 1Sa 16:14; 18:10; 19:9, it is said that an evil spirit from the Lord troubled Saul: and we have also the expression unclean spirits. Add to this, spirit is sometimes put for the disposition of the heart or mind: see Nu 5:14; Zec 12:10; Lu 13:11; Isa 11:2. Discerning of spirits, or the secret character and thoughts of men, was a gift of God, and placed among the miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost, 1Co 12:10; 1Jo 4:1.
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and the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him and he is jealous over his wife, and she defiled; or haply the spirit of jealousy cometh upon him, and he is jealous over his wife and she yet undefiled.
And they fell upon their faces, and said, "O most mighty God of the spirits of all flesh; one man hath sinned, and wilt thou be wroth with all the multitude?"
And as soon as the people were all gone over Jordan, the LORD spake unto Joshua, saying,
But the spirit of the LORD departed from Saul; and an evil spirit, sent of the LORD, vexed him.
And it happened on the morrow, that the evil spirit sent of God came upon Saul, so that he prophesied in the midst of the house. And David played on the instrument with his hand as he was daily wont.
And the evil spirit of the LORD was upon Saul as he sat in his house having a javelin in his hand, and David played with his hand.
And on him shall light the spirit of the LORD: the spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the spirit of counsel and of strength, the spirit of knowledge and of reverence, and it shall make him savour of the fear of the LORD
Moreover, upon the house of David and upon the citizens of Jerusalem, will I pour out the spirit of grace and prayer, so that they shall look upon me, whom they have pierced: and they shall beweep him, as men mourn for their only begotten son: Yea, and be sorry for him, as men are sorry for their first child
And behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years: and was bowed together, and could not lift up herself at all.
Behold my hands and my feet: that it is even I myself. Handle me and see. For spirits have not flesh and bones, as ye see me have."
And they stoned Stephen, calling on and saying, "Lord Jesus receive my spirit."
For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit. But the Pharisees grant both.
to another, power to do miracles; to another prophecy; to another, judgment of spirits; to another divers tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
Are they not all spirits to do service, sent for to minister for their sakes, which shall be heirs of salvation?