One of the difficulties of dealing with biblical scripture is that none of it was written originally in English, so we deal with the blur of meaning by translation, whether done correctly or incorrectly, and innocently, or by intent to deceive.
One of the best examples is John 4: 23, 24, both of which, in English [KJV] contain the English word “spirit,” but the two verses in Greek, allegedly the original language, but who can know for sure as no original text has yet been discovered.
In Greek, v23 says πνεύματι [pneumati] and the other, v24 says πνεύμα [pneuma]. Though the words are related, v24 is the root word from which the v23 is derived.
V23 interpretation is “in, or by the spirit” whereas the root in v24 interpretation is the “spirit being a physical breath, or wind, such as saying God is a physical breath or wind.
But the more valid interpretation, since the NT has numerous references to a Trinity, where, again, in Greek, these are understood to be three gods: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, unified in purpose, but three distinct beings, the third being a spirit, πνεύμα [pneuma], .which is still physical matter, but refined, as implied by the distinction of John 4: 23, 24.
Once again, context is king since no language has the exact lexicon [library of words] as another language. Therefore, correct interpretation from one language to another is critical for correct understanding.
