Original Word: πνευματικός
Part of Speech: Adverb
Transliteration: pneumatikós
Pronunciation: pnyoo-mat-ee-kos'
Phonetic Spelling: (pnyoo-mat-ik-oce')
KJV: spiritually
NASB: mystically, spiritually
Word Origin: [adverb from G4152 (πνευματικός - spiritual)]

1. non-physically, i.e. divinely, figuratively

spiritually.

Adverb from pneumatikos; non-physically, i.e. Divinely, figuratively -- spiritually.

see GREEK pneumatikos

Cognate: 4153 pneumatikṓs (an adverb, derived from 4151 /pneúma, "spirit") – spiritually, describing the non-physical (metaphysical) dimension.

Word Origin
adverb from pneumatikos
Definition
spiritually
NASB Translation
mystically (1), spiritually (1).

STRONGS NT 4153: πνευματικῶς

πνευματικῶς, adverb, spiritually (Vulg.spiritaliter): i. e. by the aid of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:14 (1 Corinthians 2:13 WH marginal reading); in a sense apprehended only by the aid of the Divine Spirit, i. e. in a hidden or mystical sense, Revelation 11:8. Its opposite σαρκικῶς in the sense of literally is used by Justin Martyr, dialog contra Trypho,

c. 14, p. 231 d.

Semantic Range and Biblical Context

The adverb denotes an action or assessment governed by the realm of the Spirit rather than the merely material or soulish. It belongs to the wider family of words built on pneuma, the breath or Spirit of God, and therefore points to perception, judgment, or description that proceeds from or accords with the Holy Spirit’s viewpoint.

Usage in 1 Corinthians 2:14

“But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.” (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Here the term modifies “discerned,” stressing that authentic comprehension of divine revelation is impossible without the Spirit’s enabling. The contrast is between the psychikos (soulish) man, limited to fallen human faculties, and the pneumatikos (spiritual) assessment that comes only through regeneration and illumination. This single adverb therefore underlines the doctrine of illumination: Scripture is not merely read but must be inwardly interpreted by the Spirit who inspired it (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27).

Usage in Revelation 11:8

“Their bodies will lie in the street of the great city—which figuratively is called Sodom and Egypt—where their Lord was also crucified.” (Revelation 11:8)

John signals that the city’s designation as “Sodom and Egypt” is to be taken “spiritually,” that is, symbolically under Spirit-guided prophetic insight. The word alerts readers that the prophecy employs typological language rooted in Old Testament imagery of depravity (Sodom) and oppression (Egypt). Thus the Spirit directs the church to perceive realities behind the literal surface, affirming a controlled, Scripture-governed use of symbolism.

Theological Themes

1. Illumination and Revelation: Only those indwelt by the Spirit can appraise God’s mysteries (1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Ephesians 1:17).
2. Spiritual Hermeneutics: The Spirit authorizes figurative language that conveys historical truth through inspired symbolism (Galatians 4:24; Hebrews 9:8-9).
3. Regeneration and Discernment: Spiritual perception is a mark of the new birth; without it, divine wisdom appears as folly (Romans 8:5-9).
4. Eschatological Insight: Prophetic visions require Spirit-shaped interpretation, guarding against both wooden literalism and unfettered allegory (Matthew 24:15; 2 Peter 1:20-21).

Historical Interpretation

• Early Fathers such as Origen distinguished the “spiritual sense” of Scripture, yet balanced interpreters like Augustine insisted that spiritual readings must never contradict the literal sense revealed by the Spirit.
• Reformers upheld the perspicuity of Scripture while teaching that the Spirit alone grants saving understanding; see Calvin’s doctrine of the testimonium Spiritus Sancti internum.
• Evangelical scholarship continues to affirm that the Spirit’s work in illumination does not add new revelation but opens believers’ eyes to the once-for-all truth already inscripturated.

Ministry Implications

• Preaching: Expositors rely on the Spirit for both preparation and delivery, praying that hearers receive the word “not as the word of men but as the word of God” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
• Discipleship: Mature believers cultivate sensitivity to the Spirit’s convicting and enlightening work, training minds to evaluate all things spiritually (Philippians 1:9-10).
• Apologetics: When engaging unbelief, servants of the gospel remember that intellectual arguments alone cannot open blind eyes; they must combine clear reasoning with prayer for the Spirit’s regenerating grace (2 Timothy 2:25).
• Corporate Worship: Singing, prayer, and ordinance observance are approached “in spirit and truth” (John 4:24), recognizing the Spirit as the One who renders worship acceptable.

Related Concepts and Cross-References

pneumatikos (Romans 7:14), pneuma (John 3:6-8), anakrinō (1 Corinthians 2:15), noēma Christou (1 Corinthians 2:16), typology (Hebrews 10:1).

Summary

Strong’s Greek 4153 highlights the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in both understanding divine revelation and portraying prophetic realities. Whether discerning the gospel’s wisdom or interpreting apocalyptic symbolism, believers are called to think, judge, and live πνευματικῶς—under the Spirit’s sovereign guidance and in fidelity to the written Word.

επνευματοφορείτο πνευματικως πνευματικώς πνευματικῶς πνευματοφόροι πνευματοφόρος πνεύμονος pneumatikos pneumatikôs pneumatikōs pneumatikō̂sInterlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts