According to The New Analytical Greek Lexicon: "ekeinos, h, o, nom. sg. m. demonstrative pron. used with reference to a thing previously mentioned or implied, or already familiar; that, this, he, etc."Originally posted by EMINEM:
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"Pneuma" being gender neutral is true enough, but in John 14:26, 15:26, and 16:8-14, the emphatic pronoun "ekeinos" ("He") is used of the Spirit in the masculine.
Also keep in mind that the Spirit goes by other names, a prominent one being the "Paraclete," or Comforter, who would remain with the disciples after Jesus returned to the Father. Paraclete/Comforter
corresponds to the name "Menahem," given by the Hebrews to the Messiah (Anointed One, King), who they took for granted to be male.</STRONG>
I understand that the Spirit is called by several names/titles. You mention the term "Paraclete" which derives from the Greek term parakletos, "one called or sent for to assist another" (New Analytical Greek Lexicon again). This noun is masculine. However, I was referring specifically to the term "holy Spirit", which is always necessarily neuter.
My point was not that the Spirit is always exclusively referred to as neuter. My point was that the Spirit is not exclusively referred to as specifically male -- or as specifically female.
This is something akin to my earlier post regarding the complementary masculine and feminine images of God the Creator found throughout the Bible.
[ 09-07-2001: Message edited by: loner72 ]
