Greek Foundation (NT Texts)
The New Testament consistently uses πνεῦμα ἅγιον (pneuma hagion) to refer to the Spirit of God:
~Matthew 28:19 - Jesus commands baptism “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (τοῦ ἁγίου πνεύματος).”
~John 14:26 - “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit (τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἅγιον), … shall teach you all things.”
There is no variation in person or essence; the same Greek term refers to the Spirit active in inspiration, empowerment, conviction, and sanctification.
- Latin Translation (Vulgate)
Jerome’s Vulgate consistently renders πνεῦμα ἅγιον as Spiritus Sanctus:
~Matthew 28:19 - “Baptizantes eos in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.”
~John 14:26 - “Paraclitus, Spiritus Sanctus, quem Pater mittet in nomine meo, ipse docebit vos omnia.”
Spiritus Sanctus = Holy Spirit, the same entity as in Greek. There is no duality; the Latin preserves person, function, and divine essence.
- English Translation History
Early English Bibles used Holy Ghost from Old English gāst, which translated the Latin spiritus. The term “ghost” in Middle and Early Modern English meant “spirit” or “breath,” not a spectral apparition.
Modern translations shifted preference to Holy Spirit, aligning semantically with the Greek pneuma and Latin spiritus, but there is no theological difference-the English terminology simply evolved.
- Theological Consistency
Both “Holy Ghost” and “Holy Spirit” perform the same biblical functions: teaching, guiding, convicting, regenerating, and empowering believers (e.g., ~John 16:13, ~Acts 1:8).
Both are identified as divine, personal, and co-equal with Father and Son (cf. ~Matthew 28:19, ~2 Corinthians 13:14).
The early church, including Augustine and the Nicene Fathers, made no distinction based on English terms, the emphasis was on personhood, divinity, and mission, not linguistic preference.
- Etymology and Semantic Continuity
Language Term Literal Meaning Function / Role
Greek πνεῦμα ἅγιον “Holy Breath” / “Spirit” Teacher, comforter, sanctifier, guide
Latin Spiritus Sanctus “Holy Spirit / Breath” Same as Greek; used in liturgy and creeds
Old English Hālig Gāst “Holy Spirit / Sacred Breath” Same as Greek & Latin; term “ghost” = spirit
Modern English Holy Spirit Direct translation of Greek & Latin Identical in theological role
- Patristic Support
Augustine (De Trinitate) equates Spiritus Sanctus with the Spirit proceeding from the Father and Son.
Chrysostom and Cyril of Alexandria consistently use πνεῦμα ἅγιον in Greek texts, translated Spiritus Sanctus in Latin, without introducing a second entity.
The Reformation English Bibles (Tyndale, Geneva, KJV) retained “Holy Ghost” because of linguistic heritage, not theological distinction.
In other words @Corlove13
The evidence is overwhelming: Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are identical. The variance is purely linguistic:
Greek πνεῦμα ἅγιον → Latin Spiritus Sanctus → English Holy Ghost / Holy Spirit.
Aramaic Term
The equivalent of “Holy Spirit” in Aramaic is רוחא קדישא (rūḥā qaddīšā).
רוחא (rūḥā) = spirit, breath, wind
קדישא (qaddīšā) = holy, sacred
Literally: “Holy Breath” / “Holy Spirit”, directly mirroring the Greek πνεῦμα ἅγιον and Latin Spiritus Sanctus.
In the Peshitta (Syriac Old and New Testament), which is the primary Aramaic Bible used in Syriac Christianity, the Holy Spirit is always רוחא קדישא.
Example: ~Matthew 28:19 (Syriac Peshitta) - “Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit (ܘܪܘܚܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ).”
Example: ~John 14:26 (Syriac Peshitta) - “But the Comforter, the Holy Spirit (ܪܘܚܐ ܩܕܝܫܐ), whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.”
Early Syriac fathers (e.g., Aphrahat, Ephrem the Syrian) treat rūḥā qaddīšā identically to Greek πνεῦμα ἅγιον, as the divine, personal, co-equal third person of the Trinity.
Functionally, personhood, divinity, and operations are identical.
Historical, patristic, and biblical usage all confirm one Spirit, one divine person, acting consistently across Scripture and tradition.
No difference sister.
J.
