the Christian Holy Spirit

April 3, 2016

The presence of wisdom (Wis 7:27-7:30)

“Although she is but one,

She can do all things.

While remaining in herself,

She renews all things.

In every generation

She passes into holy souls.

She makes them friends of God,

She makes them friends of prophets.

God loves nothing so much

As the person who lives with wisdom.

She is more beautiful

Than the sun.

She excels

Every constellation of the stars.

Compared with the light

She is found to be superior.

It is succeeded by the night.

But against wisdom

Evil does not prevail.”

Wisdom is one, but can do all things, while remaining in herself. She renews all things. In every generation, she makes holy souls become friends of God and prophets (φίλους Θεοῦ καὶ προφήτας). God loves (ἀγαπᾷ ὁ Θεὸς) the person who lives with wisdom (τὸν σοφίᾳ), since she is more beautiful than the sun. She excels every constellation of stars. She is superior to light. Evil will not prevail against wisdom. Once again, many of these same things have been said about the Christian Holy Spirit.

April 3, 2016

The ode to wisdom (Wis 7:24-7:26)

“Wisdom is more mobile

Than any motion.

Because of her pureness

She pervades all things.

She penetrates all things.

She is a breath

Of the power of God.

She is a pure emanation

Of the glory of the Almighty.

Therefore nothing defiled

Gains entrance into her.

She is a reflection of eternal light.

She is a spotless mirror

Of the working of God.

She is an image

Of his goodness.”

Wisdom (σοφία) is clearly tied to God, so that the obvious comparison to the Christian Holy Spirit continues. This female wisdom is more mobile than any motion. She is pure so that she pervades and penetrates all things. She is a breath of the power of God (τοῦ Θεοῦ δυνάμεως), a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty (τοῦ Παντοκράτορος δόξης). Nothing defiled gains entrance into her. She is the reflection of an eternal light (φωτὸς ἀϊδίου) like a spotless mirror of a working God (τοῦ Θεοῦ ἐνεργείας). She is the image of his goodness. Many of these same things have said about the Holy Spirit.