John 6:63

John 6:63

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

a. ASV: It is the spirit that giveth life; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I have spoken unto you are spirit, and are life.

b. YLT: The spirit it is that is giving life; the flesh doth not profit anything; the sayings that I speak to you are spirit, and they are life;

c. Amplified Bible Classic: It is the Spirit Who gives life [He is the Life-giver]; the flesh conveys no benefit whatever [there is no profit in it]. The words (truths) that I have been speaking to you are spirit and life.

1. “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing…”

a. [It] is [Strong: 2076 estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2076 in the following manner: is (744x), are (51x), was (29x), be (25x), have (11x), not translated (15x), miscellaneous (25x), vr is (1x).]

b. the [Strong: 3588 [To] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

c. spirit [Strong: 4151 pneûma, pnyoo'-mah; from G4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:—ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.] [The KJV translates Strong's G4151 in the following manner: Spirit (111x), Holy Ghost (89x), Spirit (of God) (13x), Spirit (of the Lord) (5x), (My) Spirit (3x), Spirit (of truth) (3x), Spirit (of Christ) (2x), human (spirit) (49x), (evil) spirit (47x), spirit (general) (26x), spirit (8x), (Jesus' own) spirit (6x), (Jesus' own) ghost (2x), miscellaneous (21x).]

d. that [Strong: 3588 [To] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

e. quickeneth [Strong: 2227 zōopoiéō, dzo-op-oy-eh'-o; from the same as G2226 and G4160; to (re-)vitalize (literally or figuratively):—make alive, give life, quicken.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2227 in the following manner: quicken (9x), give life (2x), make alive (1x).]

f. the [Strong: 3588 [ἡ] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

g. flesh [Strong: 4561 sárx, sarx; probably from the base of G4563; flesh (as stripped of the skin), i.e. (strictly) the meat of an animal (as food), or (by extension) the body (as opposed to the soul (or spirit), or as the symbol of what is external, or as the means of kindred), or (by implication) human nature (with its frailties (physically or morally) and passions), or (specially), a human being (as such):—carnal(-ly, + -ly minded), flesh(-ly).] [The KJV translates Strong's G4561 in the following manner: flesh (147x), carnal (2x), carnally minded (with G5427) (1x), fleshly (1x).]

h. profiteth [Strong: 5623  ōpheléō, o-fel-eh'-o; from the same as G5622; to be useful, i.e. to benefit:—advantage, better, prevail, profit.] The KJV translates Strong's G5623 in the following manner: profit (11x), prevail (2x), better (1x), advantage (1x).]

i. nothing [Strong: 3762 oudeís, oo-dice'; from G3761 and G1520; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:—any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.] [The KJV translates Strong's G3762 in the following manner: no man (94x), nothing (68x), none (27x), no (24x), any man (3x), any (3x), man (2x), neither any man (2x), miscellaneous (13x).]

j. [Strong: 3756 ou, oo; a primary word; the absolute negative (compare G3361) adverb; no or not:—+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.] [The KJV translates Strong's G3756 in the following manner: not (1,210x), no (147x), cannot (with G1410) (57x), miscellaneous (123x).]

2. “...the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.”

a. the [Strong: 3588 [ta] ho ho, including the feminine he hay, and the neuter to to in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.] [Thayer: ὁ, ἡ, τό, originally τος, τῇ, τό (as is evident from the forms τοι, ται for οἱ, αἱ in Homer and the Ionic writings), corresponds to our definite article the (German der, die, das), which is properly a demonstrative pronoun, which we see in its full force in Homer, and of which we find certain indubitable traces also in all kinds of Greek prose, and hence also in the N. T.]

b. words [Strong: 4487 rhēma, hray'-mah; from G4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:—+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.] [The KJV translates Strong's G4487 in the following manner: word (56x), saying (9x), thing (3x), no thing (with G3756) (1x), not translated (1x).] [Zodhiates: That which is spoken, a statement, word.] [W.E. Vine: The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.]

1). Without trying to make things too complicated, there are two primary Greek words used in the New Testament translated “word” in the English New Testament. Understanding the differences in their uses in critical passages is vital and I will do so here. Scripture uses two primary Greek words translated “word” or “words” in the English New Testament. One is logos and the other is rhema. These words need to be clearly defined before we go further. Below the differences are laid out.

a). Word [3056 * logos] [Zodhiates: Intelligence, word as the expression of that intelligence, discourse, saying, thing.] [Vine: “The expression of thought…as embodying a concept or idea…a saying or statement…sometimes it is used as the sum of God’s utterances, a discourse, speech, of instruction, a word…Also a title of the Son of God.”]

b). Word [Strong: 4487 rhema hray'-mah from 4483; an utterance (individually, collectively or specially),; by implication, a matter or topic (especially of narration, command or dispute); with a negative naught whatever:--+ evil, + nothing, saying, word.] [Zodhiates: That which is spoken, a statement, word.] [W.E. Vine: “The significance of rhema (as distinct from logos) is exemplified in the injunction to take “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17; here the reference is not to the whole Bible as such, but to the individual scripture which the Spirit brings to our remembrance for use in time of need, a prerequisite being the regular storing of the mind with Scripture.”]

c). Dr. Charles Farah, Jr. Professor of Theology at ORU [This reference is from the 1980’s]: The Logos tends to be universal, while the Rhema is often used as a particular…the Logos is eternal, while the Rhema is often contemporary…It is a word a man takes action on; a personal word he hears…”The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart…” Romans 10:8. Here the word Rhema is used, and I believe, though not all scholars would agree, that Paul is saying this: Because the word is in your heart, it is necessary to use the word Rhema rather than the Logos, because God’s word has become a personal word to you.

d). Don Costello: Hearing logos requires physical ears, hearing rhema requires spiritual ears. Hearing logos produces knowledge, while rhema produces revelation, faith and grace. The literal meaning of Romans 10:17: faith comes from hearing faith, we hear faith when we hear the rhema of God. A logos word can become a rhema word through prayer and meditation and confession. See notes on Joshua 1:8 and Proverbs 4:20-22. If a believer desires any benefit from the logos word, that is, principally to the total inspired Word of God, it must become rhema. A perfect example of faith coming from hearing faith is found in the book of Acts.

c. that [Strong: 3739 hós, hos; probably a primary word (or perhaps a form of the article G3588); the relatively (sometimes demonstrative) pronoun, who, which, what, that:—one, (an-, the) other, some, that, what, which, who(-m, -se), etc.] [The KJV translates Strong's G3739 in the following manner: which (418x), whom (270x), that (139x), who (87x), whose (52x), what (40x), that which (20x), whereof (17x), miscellaneous (346x).]

d. I [Strong: 1473 egṓ, eg-o'; a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic):—I, me.] [The KJV translates Strong's G1473 in the following manner: I (365x), my (2x), me (2x), not translated (1x).]

e. speak [Strong: 2980 laléō, lal-eh'-o; a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. utter words:—preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2980 in the following manner: speak (244x), say (15x), tell (12x), talk (11x), preach (6x), utter (4x), miscellaneous (3x), vr speak (1x).]

f. [to] you [Strong: 5213  hymîn, hoo-min'; irregular dative case of G5210; to (with or by) you:—ye, you, your(-selves).] [The KJV translates Strong's G5213 in the following manner: you (598x), ye (13x), your (6x), not translated (2x), miscellaneous (3x).]

g. [they] are [Strong: 2076 estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2076 in the following manner: is (744x), are (51x), was (29x), be (25x), have (11x), not translated (15x), miscellaneous (25x), vr is (1x).]

h. spirit [Strong: 4151 pneûma, pnyoo'-mah; from G4154; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:—ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.] [The KJV translates Strong's G4151 in the following manner: Spirit (111x), Holy Ghost (89x), Spirit (of God) (13x), Spirit (of the Lord) (5x), (My) Spirit (3x), Spirit (of truth) (3x), Spirit (of Christ) (2x), human (spirit) (49x), (evil) spirit (47x), spirit (general) (26x), spirit (8x), (Jesus' own) spirit (6x), (Jesus' own) ghost (2x), miscellaneous (21x).]

i. and [Strong: 2532 kaí, kahee; apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:—and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2532 in the following manner: and (8,173x), also (514x), even (108x), both (43x), then (20x), so (18x), likewise (13x), not tr. (350x), miscellaneous (31x), vr and (1x).]

j. [they] are  [Strong: 2076 estí, es-tee'; third person singular present indicative of G1510; he (she or it) is; also (with neuter plural) they are:—are, be(-long), call, X can(-not), come, consisteth, × dure for a while, + follow, × have, (that) is (to say), make, meaneth, × must needs, + profit, + remaineth, + wrestle.] [The KJV translates Strong's G2076 in the following manner: is (744x), are (51x), was (29x), be (25x), have (11x), not translated (15x), miscellaneous (25x), vr is (1x).]

k. life [Strong: 2222 zōḗ, dzo-ay'; from G2198; life (literally or figuratively):—life(-time).] [The KJV translates Strong's G2222 in the following manner: life (133x), lifetime (1x).]

1). Rhema words produce faith, quickening in our spirits and life.