SPIRITUAL

The adjective "spiritual" has several senses. (a) It may refer to a being that is "spirit" in nature, e.g., angels (Eph. 6:12). (b) Spiritual may denote that which is from God, thus is lofty in its quality (Rom. 7:14). (c) Spiritual may connote a person who has access to sacred revelation by supernatural means of the Spirit's operation (1 Cor. 2:6ff). (d) The term may be set in contrast to the secular, as in "spiritual songs" (Eph. 5:19). (e) Spiritual may describe one who is knowledgeable and strong in the faith, as opposed to the uninformed, weak person (1 Cor. 3:1; Gal. 6:1). Those who would possess the character of the "spiritual" (cf. Gal. 6:1), must be "led by the Spirit" and "walk by the Spirit," as the Spirit instructs via the written word (Eph. 6:17). Thereby one is able to cultivate the "fruit of the Spirit" (Gal. 5:16, 18, 22-23).

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