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Romans 1:4 – Spirit of Holiness
Should pneuma be translated “Spirit” or “spirit?” Robertson quotes, “Not the Holy Spirit, but a description of Christ ethically as kata sarka describes him physically (Denney) (Robertson’s Word Pictures). Comparing various translations show respected opinions on both sides:
- Spirit – BBE; EMTV; ESV; HCSB; LITV; NASB; YLT; NKJV; NIV; TNIV; NLT; NCV
- spirit – ASV; GNB; ISV; KJV; RV
Robertson also includes, “Hagiōsunē is rare (1Th_3:13; 2Co_7:1 in N.T.), three times in lxx, each time as the attribute of God. “The pneuma hagiōsunēs, though not the Divine nature, is that in which the Divinity or Divine Personality Resided” (Sanday and Headlam).”
Considering there apparently is not a grammatical or lexical method as to prove which is true, then it must be determined by context. The best argument for “spirit of holiness” is that the term is not the normal way to describe the Holy Spirit. However, since there does seem to be a parallel between Luke’s birth story and Paul’s declaration of sonship, I see no reason not to interpret it the way the majority of translations I checked do – the Spirit of holiness. Also, this understanding harmonizes with Romans 8:11 – but if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
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