THE SPIRIT ITSELF OR HIMSELF
Many self-conceited Bible critics think that they are above the words of the living God. They judge the words of God based on their own understanding on modern grammar and vocabularies. One common complain about the wrong usage of a personal pronoun concerns Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. They claim that the pronoun “itself” is a wrong usage here and should be changed to the pronoun “himself” because the Holy Spirit is a person. Before we condemn such amateurish attempt to discredit the words of God in the King James Bible, we should consider how the Holy Bible has its own ways of defining how words are to be used to clarify the “original intent” of the writers of the Holy Scriptures.
And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:35)
We note the child in Mary’s womb is called a thing. Foolish Bible critics should start jumping in “holy indignation” and complain about this irreverent misrepresentation, I suppose! But the translators of the modern versions are not unanimous with regards to what “that holy thing” should be called. The NKJV replaced it with “that Holy One”, the NASB changed it to “the holy offspring” while the NIV called it “the holy one”. On the surface, it might appear that these translators are trying to give due reverence to the Lord Jesus Christ. As we proceed, we shall examine how consistent are the Bible critics in trying to “exalt” the Lord Jesus Christ and make the Bible more easily understood by the common man.
Revelations 12:4
And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. (KJV)
His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. (NIV)
His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. (NKJV)
The child here is called “it” and this must be causing a spiritual spasm for any fools who think that they are the final authority in the way the words of the living God are to be written. The NIV and NKJV retain the pronoun “it” and did not complain about referring to the person of the Lord Jesus Christ as “it”. Of course I can understand they do not believe that this child mentioned here is the Lord Jesus Christ. The NASB avoided this issue altogether by rephrasing part of this verse as “so that when she gave birth he might devour the child”. They may justify the common usage of “it” for a child but who is to say that the pronoun “it” cannot be used for the Holy Spirit?
Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? (Rom 9:20)
Even when referring to man, it can also be called “it” in this instance but when will self-conceited Bible critics hiding under the guise of trying to help the common man to understand the Bible ever acknowledge? Let us now consider Romans 8:16&26.
Romans 8:16
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: (KJV)
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (NIV)
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (NASB)
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (NKJV)
Romans 8:26
Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (KJV)
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (NIV)
And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words; (NASB)
Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weakness. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. (NKJV)
So the Bible critics are adamant about the wrong usage of pronoun for these two verses. They are really trying to exalt the Lord Jesus Christ, one might think! But when dealing with the work and influence of the Holy Spirit, who says the personal pronoun “himself” must be used? Let us consider 1 John 2:27.
1 John 2:27
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (KJV)
As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit – just as it has taught you, remain in him. (NIV)
And as for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need for any one to teach you; but as His anointing teaches you about all things, and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. (NASB)
But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him. (NKJV)
Here is further confirmation of this usage of the work of the Holy Spirit being called “it” and will foolish Bible critics repent and start believing in the God of languages who gives us this Holy Bible? Why didn’t the translators of the modern versions use the pronoun “he”? How consistent are these Bible critics! So is there any justifiable ground to replace the pronoun for Romans 8:16&26?
Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. (John 16:13&14)
Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)
But when it concerns a person, it is obvious that the personal pronoun “he” is the appropriate word to be used.
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)
Likewise when referring to a person, the pronoun “him” is the correct usage here. These self-conceited Bible critics who lack spiritual understanding are trying to reduce Bible believers to their level of ignorance. Their amateurish attempts time and again to discredit the King James Bible only show the conditions of their wicked heart. Instead of searching for truths in the Holy Bible, they major in searching for errors. No wonder they lack spiritual wisdom and understanding! Well, as always, the words of the living God in the King James Bible are always more superior, clearer and easier to understand.