III Pneuma in New Testament Usage

In the Septuagint pneuma is the translation of the Hebrew word ruach, and what has been said about ruach in the Old Testament section can in general be said about pneuma in the New Testament.CFF1 425.2

The Greek word pneuma is related to pneo, meaning “to blow, breathe, or draw breath.” The lexicons on classical Greek give “breath” and “wind” as the first meanings of pneuma. “Spirit” is also a common meaning of pneuma.CFF1 425.3

In the Greek text of the New Testament, pneuma occurs 385 times, and is translated in the K.J.V. as follows: “Spirit,” 133; “spirit,” 153; “spiritual,” 1; “ghost,” 2; “life,” 1; and “wind,” 1; or a total of 291. Then with the genitive, “spiritually,” 1; with hagion (“holy”) as Holy “Spirit,” 4; Holy “Ghost,” 89, a grand total of 385 times.CFF1 425.4

The R.S.V. drops the use of “ghost” as a translation of pneuma. Thus the words “spirit” and “spirits” occur 383 ^{22) The difference between the K.J.V. and the R.S.V, in the number of occurrences is partly due to the critical text used for translating.} times in the R.S.V. Concordance. The R.S.V. retains the translation “wind” for pneuma in John 3:8, “The wind blows where it wills,” but translates pneuma as “breath” in Revelation 13:15, where the K. J.V. has “life.”CFF1 426.1

1. Man himself, by the figure synecdoche, a part being put for the whole. Thus in Luke 1:47“my spirit” equals I myself.CFF1 426.2

2. Life, the living principle, which is represented by breath. Thus in Luke 8:55: “Her spirit breath of life came again, and she arose.”CFF1 426.3

3. Character, as being itself invisible, and manifested only in one’s actions (2 Timothy 1:7).CFF1 426.4

4. Other invisible characteristics, as feelings or desires. Matthew 26:41: “The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”CFF1 426.5

5. The new nature in the child of God, “begotten” by God (John 3:3-7; Romans 8:4-9).CFF1 426.6

6. The resurrection body (1 Corinthians 15:45).CFF1 426.7

Picture 2: Casting Out of Rejectors:
Rejectors of the Provisions of God’s Grace Will Be Cast Out From Heaven’s Feast of Eternal Happiness and Life.
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