Austin Bible Church
The Greek word for spirituality is πνευματικος (pneumatikos) and means, in reference to people, one who is filled and controlled by God the Holy Spirit. In a state of spirituality, the Holy Spirit is the only agent for learning Bible doctrine communicated to the believer via the grace apparatus for perception. The Holy Spirit also brings to the believer’s mind the epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of their soul for application to life’s situations and decisions. This involves the believer’s thinking, opinions, precepts, and maxims ascribable to the Holy Spirit working in the soul.
The “spiritual gift” of Romans 1:11 has a special reference to “knowledge, gift of divine grace.”
"For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established;" (Romans 1:11, NASB)
The Law is spiritual. Romans 7:14 expresses the fact that the Law contains and expresses the thoughts, opinions, and precepts of God the Holy Spirit.
"For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin." (Romans 7:14, NASB)
“Their spiritual things” in Romans 15:27 refers to products of the Spirit conveyed by the pastor-teacher in public assembly.
"Yes, they were pleased to do so, and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things." (Romans 15:27, NASB)
“Spiritual thoughts with spiritual words” refers to comparing spiritual things with a spiritual frame of reference. 1 Cor. 2:13.
"which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words. " (1 Corinthians 2:13, NASB)
“He who is spiritual appraises all things” refers to the state of being in fellowship with God the Holy Spirit as a believer and the abiding results. 1 Cor. 2:15.
"But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one." (1 Corinthians 2:15, NASB)
“Could not speak to you as to spiritual men” refers to the state of being in fellowship contrasted to being carnal. 1 Cor. 3:1.
"And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:1, NASB)
“Spiritual things” refers to the communication of doctrine and all its benefit and is related to financial renumeration in carnal things. 1 Cor. 9:11.
"If we sowed spiritual things in you, is it too much if we reap material things from you?" (1 Corinthians 9:11, NASB)
“All ate the same spiritual food” refers to divine provision, food provided by God in the wilderness. Relates the term “spiritual” to natural provision, and by analogy to “food of the mature.” 1 Cor. 10:3.
"and all ate the same spiritual food;" (1 Corinthians 10:3, NASB)
“All drink the same spiritual drink” refers to divine provision for the soul, water of life, provision for the soul, and spiritual provision for the soul. 1 Cor. 10:4.
"and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4, NASB)
“Concerning spiritual gifts” refers to spiritual gifts possessed by believers which they have received of the Holy Spirit at salvation and are enabling expressions of the Holy Spirit. 1 Cor. 12:1.
"Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware." (1 Corinthians 12:1, NASB)
“Thinks he is a prophet or spiritual” refers to Corinthian believers that need to understand that the writings of Paul are the commandments of the Lord. 1 Cor. 14:37.
"If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, let him recognize that the things which I write to you are the Lord's commandment." (1 Corinthians 14:37, NASB)
“Sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body” refers to the fact that the resurrection body will have the characteristics far different from your physical body. It will not be restricted by the temporal realm, not visible, but can be contrasted to the natural body. 1 Cor. 15:44-46.
"it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual." (1 Corinthians 15:44-46, NASB)
The order of sequence: first human things then spiritual things; first the unbeliever then the believer in fellowship and spiritual; first the natural body then the spiritual body. In Galatians 6:1, “you who are spiritual, restore such a one” refers to the principle of spirituality as the basis for discerning a fellow believer and assisting in their restoration to the filling of the Holy Spirit.
"Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, NASB)
“Every spiritual blessing” used in the adjectival sense that the blessings of eternity have the character of the Spirit within them. They are not of temporal character, of human, earthly, or consequence, but rather with characteristics of the Holy Spirit. Eph. 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," (Ephesians 1:3, NASB)
“Spiritual songs” refer to songs of praise to God or Christ. “Spiritual” here is related to the mutual expression of the believers in worship. Col. 3:16.
"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, NASB)
“Against spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” refers to the wickedness of the character of “wickedness of the spirit world or regions.” This is used in contrast to the normal wickedness of humanity. Eph. 6:12.
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. " (Ephesians 6:12, NASB)
In Colossians 1:9, “spiritual wisdom” refers to facts of the Word of God illuminated by the Holy Spirit, believed and transferred, thus fitting into the soul’s frame of reference. This is epignosis Bible doctrine in the right lobe of the soul ready for application in the spiritual life in the form of divine wisdom and understanding.
"For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding," (Colossians 1:9, NASB)
“Built up as a spiritual house” refers to the invisible Body of Christ, produced by the Holy Spirit through the expression of the spiritual gifts of the many members. Each block in the spiritual house is completed as each comes to spiritual maturity and takes its place in the house, glorifying the owner of the house, even Jesus Christ. “To offer up spiritual sacrifices” refers to the production of the believer in fellowship based on the analogy of the temple building and its sacrifice system. The function of the temple was to house and express the sacrifice system. We as the temple of living stones in a spiritual house have the intent and purpose of glorifying God through our identification with the various doctrines of Christ and His person and work. 1 Peter 2:5.
"you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5, NASB)