John 6:63 It is the spirit who gives life

Spoken to
Apostles

After Jesus plays with the idea of eating his flesh as bread, his students say that his logic is difficult and he says that he is talking at a higher level, metaphorically.

KJV

John 6:63 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

NIV

John 6:63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you—they are full of the Spirit and life.

LISTENERS HEARD

The spirit/breath is the making of life. The "flesh" doesn't help nothing. The remarks that I myself have passed on to you are spirit/breath. And it is life.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

Jesus starts seriously here but then he makes light of his remarks. The word translated as "speak" is a light-hearted word meaning to "pass on" and "gossip." Describing his remarks as "spirit" is a play on words since the word for "spirit" also means "breath" and all our words are breath, that is "hot air." But he then add that the spirit is also life. For more about Jesus's view of what life read this article.

The reference to "the flesh doesn't help nothing" here seems to contradict his earlier statements about eating his flesh giving continued life (John 6:53 ...Except ye eat the flesh, John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, John 6:55 For my flesh is meat indeed, John 6:56 He that eateth my flesh, etc.), but he may simply be saying that he pushed his analogy of "bread" to "flesh" so far that wasn't helpful. Notice that he started all those "flesh" statements with his "honestly" phrase, which indicates that he wasn't totally serious. The double negative is a more extreme negative in Greek.

MY TAKE

Some people's words are more like "hot air."

# KJV TRANSLATION ISSUES
7
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "it" is not justified by the verb position.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "quickeneth" is not an active verb but a participle, "making of life."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "words" is not the common word usually translated as "words."
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "speak" is not the common word usually translated as "speak."
  • WT - Wrong Tense - The English verb "speak" is the present tense, but Greek is in the past perfect, a completed action, "have spoken."
  • WN  - Wrong Number- The word "they" is translated as plural but the Greek word is singular.
# NIV TRANSLATION ISSUES
10
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "is" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "the one" is not shown in the English translation.
  • WF - Wrong Form -  The "gives life" is not an active verb but a participle, "making of life."
  • WW - Wrong Word -- The word translated as "counts for" should be something more like "help" or "aid."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "words" is not the common word usually translated as "words."
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "that" is not shown in the English translation.
  • MW -- Missing Word  -- The pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."
  • CW - Confusing Word -- The "spoken" is not the common word usually translated as "speak."
  • IP - Inserted Phrase-- The phrase "full of the" doesn't exist in the source.
  • MW - Missing Word -- The word "it is" is not shown in the English translation.
EACH WORD of KJV

It -- (CW)This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. When the verb "to be" appears early in the clause before the subject, the sense is more like "it is" or, in the plural, "there are." Here, however, the subject appears first so the "it is" doesn't quite work.

is  -- The verb "is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."

the -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

spirit -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.

that -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

quickeneth; --   (WF) "Quickeneth" is a verb that means "make alive", "endow with life," and "preserve with life." It is a compound verb, created from the word for "life" and the root word that means "to make," which most Bible translations translates a "to do." The root word "life" also means "existence. This is not an active verb but a participle.

the   -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

flesh -- The Greek word translated as "the flesh" means "flesh," "meat," and "the physical order of things" as opposed to the spiritual. In contrasting it with "spirit," he is making it clear that he has been using it in the later sense.

profiteth -- The Greek word translated as "profiteth" means "to help" or "to be of benefit."

nothing: -- The Greek word translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative nouns. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.

the   -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

words -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "words" is not the Greek word that is almost always translated as "word(s)" in the Gospels, but a noun that specifically means spoken sayings. The English word "remarks" is from this root word and captures this idea well

that -- The word translated as "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

speak --  (CW, WT) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "pass on" or "relay" information because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing. The tense is the past perfect, "have spoken."

unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

they --  This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. It is not plural. The verb is singular but in Greek, neuter, plural word, "words," is treated as a single conglomeration.

are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." The verb is singular but in Greek, neuter, plural word, "words," is treated as a single conglomeration.

spirit, -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it is can be translated as "not only...but also." After words implying sameness "as."

they --   (WN) This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. It is not plural. The verb is singular. This seems to refer to the singular "spirit" not the plural "words.

are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It is singular in this case most likely referring to "spirit."

life. -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.

EACH WORD of NIV

The -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

spirit -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.

missing "is"  -- (MW) The untranslated word here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to."

missing "the one"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

gives life; --   (WF) "Gives life" is a verb that means "make alive", "endow with life," and "preserve with life." It is a compound verb, created from the word for "life" and the root word that means "to make," which most Bible translations translates a "to do." The root word "life" also means "existence. This is not an active verb but a participle, "giving life."

the   -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

flesh -- The Greek word translated as "the flesh" means "flesh," "meat," and "the physical order of things" as opposed to the spiritual. In contrasting it with "spirit," he is making it clear that he has been using it in the later sense.

counts for -- (WW) The Greek word translated as "counts for" means "to help," "to aid," or "to be of benefit." This is not the idea of "counts for."

nothing: -- The Greek word translated as "nothing" also means "no one," "nothing," and other negative nouns. However, to avoid the English double-negative, we translate it as its opposite "anyone" when used with another Greek negative.

The   -- The word translated as "the" is the Greek definite article, without a noun, it has the sense of "the one." The Greek article is much closer to our demonstrative pronouns ("this," "that," "these," "those") than the English "the." See this article for more.

words -- (CW) The Greek word translated as "words" is not, the Greek word that is almost always translated as "word(s)" in the Gospels, but a noun that specifically means spoken sayings. The English word "remarks" is from this root word and captures this idea well.

missing "that"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "that" is a demonstrative pronoun ("this" "that"), but it often acts as a pronoun "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

I -- The pronoun "I" is used here. Since, as the subject of the sentence, it is part of the verb, its explicit use accentuates who is speaking "I." Saying "I myself" captures this feeling in English.

missing "myself" -- (MW)  The subjective pronoun repeats the information in the verb so it should be repeated in English like "I myself."

have -- This helping verb "have" indicates that the verb is the tense indicating an action completed in the past.

spoken --  (CW) The Greek word translated as "speak" is not the ordinary "to say" or "to speak" in Greek. This word means both "idle chatter," "gossip," and "the proclamations of an oracle." Jesus uses it to capture the idea of "pass on" or "relay" information because that captures both someone gossiping and an oracle does. The word is somewhat self-effacing.

unto -- This word "unto" comes from the dative case of the following word that requires the addition of a preposition in English. The most common is a "to" for the English indirect object.

you, -- The Greek pronoun "you" here is plural and in the form of an indirect object, "to you," "for you," etc.

they -- This is from the third-person, singular form of the verb. It is not plural. The verb is singular but in Greek, neuter, plural word, "words," is treated as a single conglomeration.

are -- The verb "are" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It is singular.

full of the -- (IP) There is nothing that can be translated as "full of the" in the Greek source. This was added to make the verse seem to be about the Holy Spirit. Since there is not definite article before "spirit" this seems unlikely.

Spirit, -- The word translated as "spirit" primarily means "breath," "wind," a "non-material being," and "blast." Like "spirit" in English, it can also mean "attitude" or "motivation.' It also means the "breath of life," from which we get to "spirit" and "spiritual." Its meaning as "the breath of life" is brought out by the idea of creating life. Its meaning as "spiritual" is brought out by the contrast with "physical." Read more about this word in this article on the holy spirit.

and -- The Greek word translated as "and" is used as the conjunction "and," but it also is used to add emphasis ("also"). In a series, it can be translated as "not only...but also."

missing "it is"  -- (MW) The untranslated word "it is" here is the common form of "to be" in Greek. It means to have a certain characteristic or remain in a certain condition. It also equates terms or assigns characteristics. With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It is singular, third-person, referring to "spirit."

life. -- The word translated as "life" means "living" but it also means "substance," "existence," and "property."Jesus uses it to mean the "existence" of physical life, spirit plus body. To learn more read this article on life eternal, For more on how Christ uses this word with other words about human existence (soul, heart, spirit, body, etc.), read this article.

COMPARISON: GREEK to KJV

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

πνεῦμα [40 verses](noun sg neut nom) "Spirit" is pneuma, which means "blast," "wind," "breath," "the breath of life," "divine inspiration," "a spiritual or immaterial being," and "the spirit" of a man.

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

τὸ [821 verses](article sg neut nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the"). 

ζωοποιοῦν, [2 verses] (part sg pres act neut nom) "Quicketh" is from zoopoieo, which means "make alive", "endow with life," and "preserve with life." 

[821 verses](article sg fem nom)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

σὰρξ [19 verses](noun sg fem nom) "The flesh" is sarx, which means "flesh," "the body," "fleshy," "the pulp of fruit," "meat," and "the physical and natural order of things" (opposite of the spiritual or supernatural).

οὐκ [269 verses](partic) "Not" is ou , the negative adverb for facts and statements, negating both single words and sentences.  The other negative adverb, μή applies to will and thought; οὐ denies, μή rejects; οὐ is absolute, μή relative; οὐ objective, μή subjective. -- The Greek word translated as "not" is the Greek negative used to deny objective facts, not opinions. It means "no," "not," or"no truly." It makes a negative statement of fact. Adding "really" to the sentence captures the same idea. When a negative precedes the verb, it affects the whole clause. When it precedes other words, its force is limited to those words.

ὠφελεῖ [8 verses] (3rd sg pres ind act) "Profiteth" is opheleo, which means "to help," "to aid," "to succor," "to be of use or service," "to enrich," and "to benefit."

οὐδὲν [69 verses](adj sg neut nom/acc) "Nothing" is oudeis which means "no one," "not one," "nothing," "naught," "good for naught," and "no matter."

τὰ [821 verses](article pl neut nom/acc)  "The" is the Greek definite article, hos, ("the").

ῥήματα [10 verses](noun pl neut nom/acc) "Word" is rhema, which means "that which is spoken," "word," "saying," "word for word," "subject of speech," and "matter.".

[294 verses](pron sg neut nom/acc) This" is hos, which means "this," "that," "he," "she," "which," "what," "who," "whosoever," "where," "for which reason," and many similar meanings.

ἐγὼ [162 verses](pron 1st sg masc nom) "I" is ego, which is the first-person singular pronoun meaning "I." It also means "I at least," "for my part," "indeed," and for myself.

λελάληκα [49 verses] (1st sg perf ind act) "I speak" is laleo, which means "to talk," "to speak" "to prattle," "to chat," and [for oracles] "to proclaim." It also means "chatter" as the opposite of articulate speech. However, Jesus seems to use in in the sense of "relaying" information gained from another.

ὑμῖν [289 verses](pron 2nd pl dat) "To you" is humin the plural form of su the pronoun of the second person, "you." 

πνεῦμα [40 verses](noun sg neut nom/acc) "Spirit" is pneuma, which means "blast," "wind," "breath," "the breath of life," "divine inspiration," "a spiritual or immaterial being," and "the spirit" of a man.

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

καὶ [1089 verses](conj/adv) "And" is kai, which is the conjunction joining phrases and clauses, "and," or "also." After words implying sameness, "as" (the same opinion as you). Used in series, joins positive with negative "Not only...but also." Also used to give emphasis, "even," "also," and "just."

ζωή [42 verses] (noun sg fem nom) "Life" is zoe, which means "living," "substance," "property," "existence," and, incidentally, "the scum on milk." It has the sense of how we say "make a living" to mean property. Homer used it more to mean the opposite of death.

ἐστίν.[614 verses](3rd sg pres ind act) "Is" is eimi, which means "to be," "to exist," "to be the case," of circumstance and events "to happen,"  and "is possible." With the genitive object, the sense is "belongs to." It can also mean "must" with a dative.

Wordplay

Two sense of "spirit" are used here, as the "breath of life" and "the spiritual." 

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