This blog addresses the importance of the Human Spirit, as taught in the Book of Proverbs. It compares the texts — at times contrasts — of two translations on the subject from the King James Version and from The Living Bible:
Proverbs 11:13 — “A talebearer reveals secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit conceals the matter.” (KJV) “A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them.” (TLB)
Proverbs 15:13 — “A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.” (KJV) “A happy face means a glad heart; a sad face means a breaking heart.” (TLB)
Proverbs 16:32 – “He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that rules his spirit than he that takes a city.” (KJV) “It is better to be slow-tempered than famous; it is better to have self-control than to control an army.” (TLB)
Proverbs 17:22 — “A merry heart does good like a medicine: but a broken spirit dries the bones.” (KJV) “A cheerful heart does good like medicine, but a broken spirit makes one sick.” (TLB)
Proverbs 18:14 — “The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?” (KJV) “A man’s courage can sustain his broken body, but when courage dies, what hope is left?” (TLB)
Proverbs 20:27 — “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” (KJV) “A man’s conscience is the Lord’s searchlight, exposing his hidden motives.” (TLB)
Proverbs 25:28 — “He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.” (KJV) “A man without self-control is as defenseless as a city with broken-down walls.” (TLB)
The Living Bible is not a word-for-word translation but a thought-for-thought paraphrased version. What it lacks in word-for-word accuracy it makes up for in giving the overall sense of a verse. Although it does not use the word “spirit” in Proverbs, it does convey the true sense of what is meant by “spirit” – a word so vague in its application that it is often difficult to define. The human spirit is not just “attitude.” However, it is clear that in Proverbs “spirit” refers to human attitudes and conditions, rather than to various kinds of evil spirits.
The Hebrew word “ruarkh” and the Greek word “pneuma” can mean either “breath” or “spirit”, and in some cases the meaning can only be determined by context. For example, does James 2:26 mean that without the spirit the body is dead? Or does it mean that without breath, the body is dead? Both are true. But if we regard “breath” as simply the inhalation or expulsion of air, we may come to think of the Holy Spirit as merely Divine wind.
Perhaps reflecting today’s emphasis on the psychological, NIV translates pneuma in Ephesians 4:23 as “attitude” – which is almost certainly what it means. But it’s a small leap from there to a conclusion that Jesus must have cast out evil attitudes! Psychologically-minded, modernist theologians would like to think that! When the apostle Paul wrote: “We, having the same spirit of faith”, did he mean the same attitude of faith as the psalmist? Or did he mean the same faith in his spirit? The latter, I believe.
In distinguishing the spirit in a person from what is in the person’s spirit: a case study of Timothy is very helpful. Timothy was a convert who became a leader, but it seems that he had “a spirit of fear” – or was it a fearful spirit? The Greek word clearly indicates that Timothy’s problem was timidity. Despised by some because of his youth, he had a weak stomach, and had been influenced by his Jewish mother and grandmother rather than by his Greek father (who had not had his son circumcised).
Timothy could well have been named Timidity! Paul soon became the spiritual father the young man needed. But as Timothy learned Paul’s “ways in Christ” boldness replaced timidity. No longer “ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ” or of Paul as a prisoner, Timothy eventually became a bishop of the church at Ephesus! Did Timothy overcome a demonic “spirit of fear”? No! Timothy got the victory over the fear that was in his spirit!
I love the rhythm of the old KJV. It isn’t the perfect translation that many make it out to be, but it gets the Hebrew and Greek right more often than other versions (and no one can quote as many favourite verses as well as KJV readers). Yet despite its paraphrased language leaps, TLB sheds new light on the human spirit – that mystical part of us, which is so much a feature of the Book of Proverbs.
I urge you to not overlook or underestimate the influence of the human spirit on psychosomatic (soul/body) behaviors: although invisible to the eye, its effects on both can be considerable. The spiritual gift of “discerning of spirits” (1 Corinthians 12:10) is invaluable in separating the spirit from the Holy Spirit and evil spirits, when setting free those who are bound by the latter. The cause is not always a case of what spirit is in them, but instead what’s in their spirit.