πνευματικός (pneumatikos)
pneumatikos
spiritual
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 21 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The adjective pneumatikos describes anything that belongs to or is actuated by the Spirit, whether divine or human. Derived from pneuma (wind or breath), it moves beyond physical substance to indicate a realm governed by spiritual power. In Scripture, this word distinguishes realities shaped by God’s presence from those limited to earthly existence.
A key distinction lies in its contrast with psychikos, which refers to the natural or soul-driven life. Paul uses this difference to compare the first Adam, who became a living being, with the last Adam, who became a life-giving spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45). While psychikos describes human nature in its ordinary state, pneumatikos points to life transformed and directed by the Holy Spirit.
This word carries significant weight in describing both people and practices. It identifies believers as "spiritual" when they are guided by the Spirit (Galatians 6:1) and labels teachings or songs as spiritual when they originate from divine inspiration (Ephesians 5:19). It also applies to the church as a "spiritual house" built of living stones (1 Peter 2:5), emphasizing that its foundation is not physical but rooted in God’s action.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The word pneumatikos invites us to look beyond the visible world and recognize the active presence of God in our daily lives. It describes anything shaped by the Holy Spirit, from the wisdom we seek to the way we treat others. When we encounter this term, it reminds us that our faith is not merely a set of rules but a life powered by divine breath. This perspective shifts our focus from earthly limitations to the enduring realities of God’s kingdom.
In practical terms, being spiritual means allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our discernment and actions. It calls us to support one another with gentleness when we stumble and to fill our conversations with truths that draw us closer to Christ. Whether in prayer or service, this word highlights that our deepest needs are met not by human effort alone but by the spiritual blessings available to us in Jesus.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 21 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- spiritual12×
- spiritual.3×
- spiritual,2×
- spiritual things2×
- to spiritual1×
- spiritual gifts,1×
- spiritual [ones]1×
- spiritual [gifts],1×
- spiritual [forces]1×
- by spiritual [means]1×
- [the] spiritual1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- πνευματικὸν4×
- πνευματικὰ3×
- πνευματικοῖς3×
- πνευματικῇ2×
- πνευματικόν.2×
- πνευματικὸς2×
- πνευματικῶν,1×
- πνευματικῆς1×
- πνευματικός,1×
- πνευματικός1×
- πνευματικόν.¶1×
- πνευματικά,1×
Key Verses
-
I Corinthians 15:44
It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body.
This verse contrasts our current physical existence with the future resurrection body, showing that pneumatikos describes the permanent state of life transformed by God.
-
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, even if a man is caught in some fault, you who are spiritual must restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, looking to yourself so that you also aren’t tempted.
Here the term identifies believers who are guided by the Spirit as those responsible for gently restoring others who have fallen into sin.
-
Ephesians 1:3
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,
Paul uses this word to emphasize that every blessing we receive originates from God’s spiritual realm rather than our own earthly resources.
-
I Peter 2:5
You also as living stones are built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
This passage describes the church as a spiritual house built from living stones, indicating that our community’s foundation is rooted in God’s action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Greek word pneumatikos mean?
How is pneumatikos different from psychikos?
Where does this word appear most often?
Every Occurrence (21 verses across 6 books)
Romans 3 verses
For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, to the end that you may be established;
Romans 7:14For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin.
Romans 15:27Yes, it has been their good pleasure, and they are their debtors. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their…