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Bible Encyclopedias
Spiritual
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
or (πνευματικός, which in classical Greek is opposed to bodily, Plutarch, De Sanct. 389) denotes in New Test. usage, (a) belonging to the Holy Spirit (Romans 1:11; Romans 15:27; 1 Corinthians 2:13; 1 Corinthians 9:11; 1 Corinthians 12:1; 1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 14:1; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Ephesians 1:3); or (b) determined or influenced by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:1; 1 Corinthians 14:37; Galatians 6:1), such as "spiritual songs" (Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), i.e. inspired; a "spiritual house" (Colossians 1:9), not angelic, nor unmanufactured, but composed of stones vivified by the Spirit (comp. Ephesians 2:22), like "spiritual sacrifices" (1 Peter 2:5); "spiritual food and drink" (1 Corinthians 10:3), i.e. nourishment afforded by the Spirit (the "spiritual Rock," Deuteronomy 8:15; Deuteronomy 32:4), and not in an ordinary way (comp. Exodus 17:6). See Cremer, Lexicon of the N.T. Greek, s.v. (See SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS).
The expression "spiritual body" (σῶμα πνευματικόν, pneumatic body), used in 1 Corinthians 15:44 to describe the resurrection state, appears at first sight a palpable contradiction of terms; but it is interpreted by the antithesis there made with the "natural body" (σῶμα ψυχικόν, psychic body). The apostle uses these terms in the same epistle (1 Corinthians 2:14-15) to distinguish the unregenerate man from the Christian, as being changed from his fleshly condition to a heavenly one by the Divine Spirit. In the resurrection body, accordingly, these words denote the contrast between the earthly, decaying, and sin stained costume of the soul here and its celestial, immortal, and purified state hereafter. This is plain likewise from the kindred antithesis of the context ("corruption... incorruption," "dishonor... glory," "weakness... power," "earthy... heavenly"). We are not taught, therefore, to look for an ethereal, aerial, or sublimated body in the other life, but one of bona fide matter, substantial as at present, although transfigured by a divine and heavenly glory. (See RESURRECTION).
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McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Spiritual'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/s/spiritual.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
