Lexical Summary pneumatikos: spiritual, spiritual things, spiritual men Original Word: πνευματικός Strong's Exhaustive Concordance spiritual. From pneuma; non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious -- spiritual. Compare psuchikos. see GREEK pneuma see GREEK psuchikos HELPS Word-studies 4152 pneumatikós (an adjective, derived from 4151 /pneúma, "spirit") – spiritual; relating to the realm of spirit, i.e. the invisible sphere in which the Holy Spirit imparts faith, reveals Christ, etc. NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pneuma Definition spiritual NASB Translation spiritual (23), spiritual men (1), spiritual things (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4152: πνευματικόςπνευματικός, πνευματικῇ, πνευματικόν (πνεῦμα), spiritual (Vulg.spiritalis); in the N. T. 1. relating to the human spirit, or rational soul, as the part of man which is akin to God and serves as his instrument or organ, opposed to ἡ ψυχή (see πνεῦμα, 2): hence, τό πνευματικόν, that which possesses the nature of the rational soul, opposed to τό ψυχικόν, 1 Corinthians 15:46 (cf. Winer's Grammar, 592 (551)); σῶμα πνευματικόν, the body which is animated and controlled only by the rational soul and by means of which the rational life, of life of the πενυμα, is lived; opposed to σῶμα ψυχικόν, verse 44. 2. belonging to a spirit, or a being higher than man but inferior to God (see πνεῦμα, 3 c.): τά πνευματικά (i. e. spiritual beings or powers (R. V. spiritual hosts), cf. Winer's Grammar, 239 (224)) τῆς πονηρίας (genitive of quality), i. e. wicked spirits, Ephesians 6:12. 3. belonging to the Divine Spirit; a. in reference to things; emanating from the Divine Spirit, or exhibiting its effects and so its character: χάρισμα, Romans 1:11; εὐλογία, Ephesians 1:3; σοφία καί σύνεσις πνευματικῇ (opposed to σοφία σαρκικῇ, 2 Corinthians 1:12; ψυχική, James 3:15), Colossians 1:9; ᾠδαί, divinely inspired, and so redolent of the Holy Spirit, Colossians 3:16; (Ephesians 5:19 Lachmann brackets); ὁ νόμος (opposed to a σάρκινος man), Romans 7:14; θυσίαι, tropically, the acts of a life dedicated to God and approved by him, due to the influence of the Holy Spirit (tacitly opposed to the sacrifices of an external worship), 1 Peter 2:5; equivalent to produced by the sole power of God himself without natural instrumeutality, supernatural, βρῶμα, πόμα, πέτρα, 1 Corinthians 10:3, 4 ((cf. 'Teaching' etc. 10, 3 [ET])); πνευματικά, thoughts, opinions, precepts, maxims, ascribable to the Holy Spirit working in the soul, 1 Corinthians 2:13 (on which see συγκρίνω, 1); τά πνευματικά, spirithal gifts — of the endowments called χαρίσματα (see χάρισμα), 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 14:1; universally, the spiritual or heavenly blessings of the gospel, opposed to τά σαρκικά, Romans 15:27; (1 Corinthians 9:11). b. in reference to persons; one who is filled with and governed by the Spirit of God: 1 Corinthians 2:15 (cf. The adjective πνευματικός (pneumatikos, Strong’s 4152) designates that which belongs to, is characterized by, or proceeds from the Holy Spirit. It therefore contrasts with what is merely natural, fleshly, or material. The word reaches across doctrine, worship, ethics, and eschatology, providing a unifying axis for understanding life in Christ. Contrast with the Natural and the Fleshly Romans 7:14 affirms, “We know that the Law is spiritual, but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.” The standard is spiritual; fallen humanity is not. Paul intensifies the contrast in 1 Corinthians 3:1, where believers are reproved for remaining “worldly—mere infants in Christ” rather than maturing into the spiritual. The term thus calls attention both to the Spirit’s character and to the believer’s responsibility to walk accordingly. Source and Foundation in the Holy Spirit No use of πνευματικός is detached from the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. In 1 Corinthians 2:13-15 Paul teaches that spiritual truths are “taught by the Spirit” and received only by “the spiritual man,” who discerns all things. Spirituality is therefore not an abstract moral quality but the direct effect of divine illumination and regeneration. Spiritual Blessings and Inheritance Ephesians 1:3 praises God “who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms.” These blessings encompass election, redemption, adoption, and the sealing of the Spirit, laying a foundation for identity and assurance. Romans 15:27 speaks of Gentile believers sharing in Israel’s “spiritual blessings,” showing that the Abrahamic promise reaches its fullness in Christ and binds Jew and Gentile together in the gospel. Spiritual Wisdom and Understanding Colossians 1:9 petitions that believers be filled “with the knowledge of His will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Such wisdom frames daily decisions, ministry strategy, and doctrinal fidelity. It is not mystical intuition but Holy-Spirit-sourced comprehension rooted in Scripture. Spiritual Gifts and Service Romans 1:11 and 1 Corinthians 12:1 introduce “spiritual gifts,” divinely distributed abilities for building up the body of Christ. They are to be “earnestly desired” (1 Corinthians 14:1) yet always governed by love (1 Corinthians 13) and apostolic command (1 Corinthians 14:37). Misuse results when believers think themselves spiritual merely because they possess gifts; true spirituality is measured by submission and edification. Spiritual Restoration Galatians 6:1 instructs, “You who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness.” Spiritual maturity equips believers to deal with sin in others without hypocrisy or harshness, modeling Christ’s meekness while maintaining holy standards. Spiritual Worship and Music Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16 link Spirit-filled living with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs.” Such singing is Word-saturated, corporate, and God-directed. The adjective spiritual underscores that authentic worship arises from Spirit-renewed hearts rather than mere aesthetics. Spiritual Sacrifices and Priesthood 1 Peter 2:5 portrays believers as “a spiritual house” offering “spiritual sacrifices” acceptable through Jesus Christ. The Old Testament priesthood finds its antitype in the church, where every believer serves. Sacrifices include praise, good works, and evangelistic witness, all empowered by the Spirit. Spiritual Nourishment and Christ as the Rock In 1 Corinthians 10:3-4 Israel “all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink… and that rock was Christ.” The Exodus provision foreshadows Christ’s sustaining grace in the gospel and warns the church against presuming upon covenant privileges without obedience. Spiritual Warfare Ephesians 6:12 locates the believer’s struggle “against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The battle is fought with armor that is likewise spiritual—truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, the word of God, and prayer—each supplied by the Spirit and rooted in Scripture. Spiritual Seed and Harvest 1 Corinthians 9:11 argues that those who sow “spiritual seed” have a right to reap material support. Ministry that communicates the gospel is spiritual labor whose fruit bears eternal value, and the church is obligated to sustain such workers. Spiritual Body and Resurrection Hope 1 Corinthians 15:44-46 distinguishes between the present “natural body” and the future “spiritual body.” Resurrection life will be fully conformed to the Spirit’s power, guaranteeing victory over death and validating the believer’s present pursuit of holiness. Practical Implications for the Church 1. Pursue maturity by yielding to the Spirit through regular intake of Scripture and obedient practice. Historical Notes on Translation and Interpretation Early English versions consistently rendered πνευματικός as “spiritual,” preserving the God-centered nuance tied to the Holy Spirit. Patristic writers, notably Athanasius and Chrysostom, used the term to contrast the Spirit’s illumination with human reasoning, echoing 1 Corinthians 2. Reformation exegesis reinforced the antithesis between Spirit-wrought faith and works-based righteousness. Contemporary theology sometimes broadens the term to include subjective experiences; Scripture maintains its anchorage in the objective work of the Spirit through the Word. Conclusion Strong’s 4152 gathers the breadth of Christian existence under one description: spiritual. It directs attention away from mere externalism toward life sourced, guided, and consummated by the Holy Spirit. To be truly spiritual is to live by the gospel, serve in love, worship in truth, wage holy warfare, and await a resurrection body perfectly conformed to Christ. Englishman's Concordance Romans 1:11 Adj-ANSGRK: χάρισμα ὑμῖν πνευματικὸν εἰς τὸ NAS: some spiritual gift KJV: some spiritual gift, INT: gift to you spiritual to the [end] Romans 7:14 Adj-NMS Romans 15:27 Adj-DNP 1 Corinthians 2:13 Adj-DNP 1 Corinthians 2:13 Adj-ANP 1 Corinthians 2:15 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 3:1 Adj-DMP 1 Corinthians 9:11 Adj-ANP 1 Corinthians 10:3 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 10:4 Adj-ANS 1 Corinthians 10:4 Adj-GFS 1 Corinthians 12:1 Adj-GNP 1 Corinthians 14:1 Adj-ANP 1 Corinthians 14:37 Adj-NMS 1 Corinthians 15:44 Adj-NNS 1 Corinthians 15:44 Adj-NNS 1 Corinthians 15:46 Adj-NNS 1 Corinthians 15:46 Adj-NNS Galatians 6:1 Adj-NMP Ephesians 1:3 Adj-DFS Ephesians 5:19 Adj-DFP Ephesians 6:12 Adj-ANP Colossians 1:9 Adj-DFS Colossians 3:16 Adj-DFP 1 Peter 2:5 Adj-NMS Strong's Greek 4152 |
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