Spirit - s or S?
Consider the verse below.
And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
- 1 John 5:8 (KJV)
Some versions of the King James Bible say that the word "spirit" starts with an uppercase S, others say it starts with a lowercase s.
I recently had the opportunity to look into a 200+ year old family King James Bible, which used the word "spirit" (lowercase).
The Pure Cambridge Edition also uses the word "spirit" (lowercase) which I find interesting.
Consider the verse below.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
- John 3:6 (KJV)
Cleary, "Spirit" and "spirit" mean different things, e.g. "Spirit" is a reference to the Holy Spirit, whereas "spirit" refers to a person who has the Holy Spirit. For example, when I became a Christian, I was baptized with the Holy Spirit, and I'm now no longer flesh, but spirit.
It's interesting to look at the context of verse 8.
This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
- 1 John 5:6-8 (KJV)
So, the water and the blood are referring to Jesus. Could it be that "spirit" also refers to Jesus?
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
- Luke 23:46 (KJV)
When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost [spirit].
- John 19:30 (KJV)
But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.
- John 19:34 (KJV)
And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
- John 19:35 (KJV)
Looking carefully at "John 19:30,34,35" it talks about all the same key words, e.g. spirit (or ghost), water, blood, and bearing record. All verses are in close proximity. I don't think that's a coincidence.
It looks like verse 8 is talking about the crucifixion/sacrifice of Jesus, and that the "spirit" from verse 8, is the spirit of Jesus.
For further study, please read:
I believe that the King James Bible (Pure Cambridge Edition) is the most accurate Bible in the world. No other Bible comes even close.
Every character is accounted for.
- By Amador Loureiro / Wikimedia Commons / CC0 1.0
If you want to check your own Bible to see if it meets the Pure Cambridge criteria, please use this checklist.
If you like this article, you may also like my article on The Godhead.