Does the Holy Spirit have a gender?
In the Bible, God the Father and God the Son, Jesus Christ, are both addressed as male. What about the Holy Spirit? Often, people refer to the Holy Spirit as an "it," yet Scripture refers to the Holy Spirit as a male, just as it does for the Father and the Son. Some critics point out that the Greek word for "spirit," pneuma, is neuter (not gender specific) or that the Hebrew Old Testament word for "spirit," ruach, is used as feminine in Genesis 1:2. However, the gender of a word in Hebrew or Greek does not specifically indicate the gender identity of what the word identifies. As an example, in English, we often refer to a boat or a nice car as a "she" (as in "ain't she a beauty?"). However, the boat itself is not female.Further, the Holy Spirit is referred to as a person, not an impersonal force. The Holy Spirit has insight (1 Corinthians 2:10-11), knowledge (Romans 8:27), and a will (1 Corinthians 12:11). The Holy Spirit also performs many actions only a person can accomplish, including convicting people of sin (John 16:8), doing miracles (Acts 8:39), and guiding humans (John 16:13).
Actions can also be directed toward the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can be lied to (Acts 5:3), resisted (Acts 7:51), grieved (Ephesians 4:30), blasphemed (Matthew 12:31), and insulted (Hebrews 10:29).
But is the Holy Spirit male, female, or neuter? From a grammatical standpoint, the words used to refer to the Holy Spirit are consistently masculine. Theologically speaking, we must remember that God is not human and therefore does not fit within our definitions of male or female. It is appropriate to speak of the Holy Spirit in male terms as Scripture does, but we must understand that God is wholly other and does not exist in the same form as we do (with the exception of Jesus as God in human form).
In summary, the Bible uses masculine terms to refer to the Holy Spirit. The Spirit is a "He," not an "it" or a "she." However, God is Spirit and exists in a form that defies male/female categories. There is no justification for belief in a female member of the Trinity.
Who is the Holy Spirit?
When do we receive the Holy Spirit?
What is the role of the Holy Spirit? How is the Holy Spirit active in our lives today?
What names and titles does the Bible use for the Holy Spirit?
What is the fruit of the Spirit?
Truth about the Holy Spirit
