The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville - Pot-pourri

158 VII.iii.3–iii.19 Isidore of Seville
moreover, its action inspires with its breath, so to speak,
and consequently it is called the Spirit. It is called the
Holy Spirit for a certain appropriate reason, in that the
term is related to the Father and the Son, because it is
their spiritus. 3.Now this name ‘Spirit’ is also conferred
not because of what is imparted to something, but
because of what signifies some kind of nature. 4.Indeed,
every incorporeal nature in Holy Scripture is called
spirit, whence this term suits not only the Father and
Son and Holy Spirit, but also every rational creature
and soul. 5. Therefore the Spirit of God is called Holy,
because it is the holiness of the Father and Son. Although
the Father is spirit and the Son is spirit, and the Father is
holy and the Son is holy, properly nevertheless this one
is called Holy (sanctus) Spirit, as the co-essential and
consubstantial holiness (sanctitas)ofboththe others.
6.TheHolySpirit is not spoken of as begotten (genitus)
lest it should be thought that there are two Sons in
the Trinity. It is not proclaimed as unbegotten (ingenitus),
lest it should be believed that there are two Fathers
in that same Trinity. 7. Itisspokenof,however, as proceeding
(procedere), by the testimony of the Lord’s saying
(cf. John 16:12–15), “I have yet many things to say to you,
but you cannot hear them now. But he, the Spirit of
truth who proceeds from the Father, will come, and he
shall receive of mine; he shall show everything to you.” 3
This Spirit moreover proceeds not only by its nature, but
it proceeds always in ceaselessly performing the works
of the Trinity. 8. BetweentheSonwhoisbornandthe
Holy Spirit who proceeds is this distinction, that the
Son is born from one, the Holy Spirit proceeds from
both. Therefore the Apostle says (Romans 8:9), “Now
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of
his.”
9.Initsworkthe Holy Spirit is also understood to be an
angel, for itissaidofit(John16:13), “And the things that
are to come, he shall announce (adnuntiare) toyou”–
and the Greek term ‘angel’ means “messenger” (nuntius)
in Latin. Hence also two angels appeared to Lot, and
to these the name ‘Lord’ was given in the singular; we
understand them to have been the Son and the Holy
Spirit, for we never read that the Father is ‘sent.’
10.The Holy Spirit, because it is called the Paraclete, is
named from ‘consolation,’ for the Greek term
in Latin means “consolation.” Thus Christ sent the
Spirit to the mourning apostles, after he ascended from
their eyes to heaven. 11.For it is sent as a consoler to those
who grieve, and according to the saying of the same Lord
(Matthew 5:5), “Blessed are they that mourn: for they
shall be consoled.” Again he said (Matthew 9:15), “Then
the children of the bridegroom shall mourn, when the
bridegroom shall have been taken away from them.” 12.
Again, Paraclete, because it offers consolation to souls
that have lost temporal joy. Others say that ‘Paraclete’
in Latin means “orator” or “advocate,” for one and the
same Holy Spirit speaks; it teaches; through it are given
wordsofwisdom; by it Holy Scripture has been inspired.
13. The Holy Spirit is named the Sevenfold (septiformis)because
of the gifts that all have a claim to attain
from the fullness of its unity, one by one, according as
they deserve. Thus it is the Spirit of wisdom and intellect,
the Spirit of counsel and courage, the Spirit of knowledge
and holiness, the Spirit of the fear of the Lord (Isaiah 11:2–
3). 14.Further, we read of the ‘perfect Spirit’ (principalis
Spiritus) inthe fiftieth Psalm, where because spiritus is
repeated thrice, some understand the Trinity, since it is
written (John 4:24), “God is a spirit.” Indeed, because
he is not a body, and yet he exists, it seems to remain
that he is a spirit. Some understand that the Trinity is
signified in Psalm 50: inthe“perfect Spirit” (vs. 14) the
Father, in the “right Spirit” (vs. 12)theSon, in the “holy
spirit” (vs. 13) the Holy Spirit.
15. TheHolySpirit is called a Gift because it is given,
for ‘gift’ (donum) takes its name from ‘giving’ (dare).
Now itisvery well known that our Lord Jesus Christ,
when he had ascended into heaven after his resurrection
from the dead, gave the Holy Spirit, and filled with this
Spirit the believers spoke in the tongues of all nations.
16. MoreoveritisagiftofGodtotheextentthatitis
giventothose who love God through the Spirit. In itself,
it is God; with regard to us, it is a gift – but the Holy
Spirit is forever a Gift, handing out the gifts of grace to
individuals as it wishes. 17.Itimparts the gift of prophecy
to whomever it wishes, and it forgives sins for whomever
it wishes – for sins are not pardoned without the Holy
Spirit. 18.TheHolySpirit is appropriately named Charity
(caritas) either because by its nature it joins with those
from whom it proceeds and shows itself to be one with
them, or because it brings it about in us that we remain
in God and he in us. 19.Whenceamong the gifts of God
nothing is greater than charity, and there is no greater gift
3 The second sentence quoted departs from the Vulgate.