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Part of the series on the
Holy Spirit


The illumination of the Holy Spirit is "[t]he process by which God's Holy Spirit enables us to understand His word and apply it to our lives." [1]

"The Reformers, and particularly John Calvin, stressed the way the objective, written Word and the inner, supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit work together, the Holy Spirit illuminating the Word to God's people. The Word without the illumination of the Holy Spirit remains a closed book." - James M Boice

It is "not a giving of new revelation, but a work within us that enables us to grasp and to love the revelation that is there before us in the biblical text as heard and read, and as explained by teachers and writers."[1]

The necessity of the illumination of the Holy Spirit does not negate the doctrine of the clarity of Scripture.

Key passages[]

1 Corinthians 2:12-14[]

"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned."

1 John 2:20, 27[]

"But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and you all have knowledge... But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him."

Psalm 119:18[]

"Open my eyes, that I may behold Wonderful things from Your law."

See also[]

Notes[]

  1. Packer, James. Concise Theology: A Guide To Historic Christian Beliefs. Excerpt found here.

External links[]

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