Definite article

[Revmitchell]

Is there a specific reason why, in the NT, the definite article "the" is placed in front of the Holy Ghost in some places but not others in the Greek?

 

[The Archangel]

Is there a specific reason why, in the NT, the definite article "the" is placed in front of the Holy Ghost in some places but not others in the Greek?

I haven't studied the specifics of the definite article with the Holy Ghost, however, let me offer some generalities about Greek.

In Greek, you typically don't need the definite article as it is implied in the form of the noun. In fact, when you see the name Jesus in the nominative case it would be proper in Greek to understand it as "The Jesus." But, of course, in English that sounds strange because English typically doesn't work that way.

Certain times, though, the definite article is used to bring out a particular emphasis. It is my assumption, without getting deep into it, that this is why the biblical authors would use the definite article...so that there is no mistake.

So, that's my best guess without getting very technical or diving deep into my books.

Blessings,

The Archangel (see....there's the definite article! The moniker "Archangel" was already taken...so I used the definite article.)

 

[canadyjd]

Is there a specific reason why, in the NT, the definite article "the" is placed in front of the Holy Ghost in some places but not others in the Greek?

"The" Archangel gave a good response.:thumbs:

I have found myself, over the last couple of years, deliberately dropping the "the" when I speak of God, Holy Spirit. I will ususally just say "Holy Spirit" or "God, Holy Spirit" when referencing the 3rd person of God.

peace to youraying:

 

[Jerome]

James Elder Cumming, from the concluding paragraph of "Appendix II: On the Use of the Greek Article Before the Names of the Spirit of God", in Through the Eternal Spirit: A Biblical Study on the Holy Ghost:

...there is no such distinctive use of the Article in the New Testament in connection with the mention of the Holy Ghost as to warrant us in finding a theological or spiritual reason for its presence or absence; and that all such pressure of classical rules into Septuagint and New Testament Greek, as has been attempted, is misleading and unfounded.