Is the Holy Spirit Different from the Holy Ghost?

Many Christians believe that the Holy Spirit is the Holy Ghost. But, interestingly, some believe otherwise, regarding them as two distinct beings. So, are they really different or are they the same?

It is worthy of note that both words “spirit” and “ghost” come from the exact same Greek word, pneuma. This confusion originated from the King James Bible translation (KJV) in which this Greek word is translated as “Holy Ghost” 90 times and 7 times as “Holy Spirit.” All other modern English Bible translations use the word “Holy Spirit” all through.

There is no explanation as to why the KJV renders the word differently, and this was corrected in the New King James Version.

It's just like the Greek word dikaiosunē translated as “righteousness” in some instances and as “justification” in other instances. Righteousness and justification mean the same thing—the state of being innocent; guiltless.

Languages evolve, with English at the fore.

In 1611, during the time of William Shakespeare, when the KJV was originally translated as the authorized King James Version, “ghost” popularly referred to an immaterial being while “spirit” referred to the disembodied soul of a deceased person. Today, both words appear to have switched meanings although they are essentially synonyms.

So the Holy Spirit is the Holy Ghost; both words refer to the same person: the Third Person of the Trinity (Matthew 28:19).

Let's buttress this a little further.

After Jesus was baptized by John at the Jordan, the Holy Spirit descended and abode on Him.

Matthew 3:16–17(KJV)

16 - And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.

17 - And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.

Compare with Luke's account of the same event.

Luke 3:22(KJV)

And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.

After this, Jesus was led by the same Holy Spirit that descended on Him into the wilderness where He fasted for forty days and forty nights and was tempted by the devil.

Matthew 4:1(KJV)

Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.

In Luke's account, the KJV uses both renditions for the same word pneuma.

Luke 4:1(KJV)

And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness.

See a few other translations (all using “Spirit” in both places):

Then Jesus, full of and controlled by the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led in [by] the [Holy] Spirit. [AMP]

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness. [ESV]

Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert. [NIV]

Then Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, left the Jordan River. He was led by the Spirit to go out into the wilderness. [NLT]

Then Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness. [NKJV]

There are a few other instances where the KJV translated the word pneuma differently.

John 1:33(KJV)

And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.

John 7:39(KJV)

But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Acts 2:4(KJV)

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

1 Corinthians 12:3(KJV)

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.

Every other modern English translation maintains a consistent rendition.

The Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost are one and the same person.

Victor Ibosiola © 2023