Greek
πνεῦμα
pneuma
Spirit, breath, wind
The Greek word translated 'spirit,' 'breath,' or 'wind' — used for the Holy Spirit, the human spirit, and physical breath. Jesus uses the word's range in John 3:8 — 'the wind [pneuma] bloweth where it listeth.'
Pneuma (πνεῦμα) is the Greek word for spirit, breath, or wind — from the verb pneō, 'to breathe' or 'to blow.' All three meanings — invisible movement of air, life-breath, and the immaterial principle of life — coexist in the word. In Classical Greek pneuma was used for breath and wind. In the Septuagint it translates the Hebrew ruach (with the same range of meanings). In the New Testament, pneuma is used for the Holy Spirit ('Holy Pneuma' = Holy Spirit), the human spirit, evil spirits, and physical breath. English derivatives include 'pneumatic' (air-driven), 'pneumonia' (lung infection), and theological terms like 'pneumatology' (the doctrine of the Holy Spirit).
Pneuma has multiple uses in the NT. (1) The Holy Spirit — most common use. Matthew 28:19 — 'baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost [Pneuma].' The third person of the Trinity is the Holy Spirit / Pneuma. (2) The Spirit's work. John 14:26 — 'But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things.' (3) The human spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:11 — 'For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit [pneuma] of man which is in him?' (4) Wind. John 3:8 — 'The wind [pneuma] bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit [Pneumatos].' Jesus uses the word's range — wind / Spirit. (5) Breath. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 — 'whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit [breath, pneuma] of his mouth.' (6) Evil spirits. Matthew 8:16 — 'he cast out the spirits [pneumata] with his word.' (7) Spirit vs flesh. Galatians 5:16-25 — walking in the Pneuma vs walking in the flesh. The Spirit-life is the Christian life. (8) The fruit of the Spirit. Galatians 5:22-23 — pneuma's fruit. (9) Being filled with the Spirit. Ephesians 5:18 — 'be filled with the Spirit [Pneumati].'
“The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
“And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
“But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance.”
“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.”
“Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.”
Walk in the Pneuma (Galatians 5:16). Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18) — daily, repeatedly. Bear the fruit of the Spirit. Grieve not the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Quench not the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). Pray in the Spirit (Jude 1:20). The pneumatic life is the Christian life — animated by the breath of God himself.
Pneuma (πνεῦμα) is the Greek word meaning spirit, breath, or wind. It is used in the NT for the Holy Spirit (most often), the human spirit, evil spirits, physical breath, and wind. The range is intentional — Jesus uses it both ways in John 3:8 to describe spiritual rebirth: 'The wind [pneuma] bloweth where it listeth... so is every one that is born of the Spirit [Pneumatos].'
Ruach is the Hebrew equivalent of pneuma — both mean spirit, breath, or wind. The Septuagint (Greek OT) regularly translates ruach with pneuma. Both terms span the visible (wind), the physical (breath), and the immaterial (spirit). In Genesis 1:2, 'the Spirit of God [Ruach Elohim] moved upon the face of the waters' — using ruach where the Greek would use Pneuma.
The Holy Pneuma (Greek: τὸ Ἅγιον Πνεῦμα) is the Holy Spirit — the third person of the Trinity. Sent by the Father in the Son's name (John 14:26), he convicts of sin (John 16:8), regenerates believers (John 3:5-8), indwells the church (1 Corinthians 3:16), produces fruit (Galatians 5:22-23), distributes spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12), and seals believers unto the day of redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).
Ephesians 5:18 commands continuous filling. Practical: (1) Surrender to the Spirit's leading. (2) Confess and repent of sin — grieving the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30) blocks the filling. (3) Saturate in God's word — the Spirit works through Scripture. (4) Pray, including in tongues if so gifted (1 Corinthians 14:14-15). (5) Walk in obedience. (6) Ask (Luke 11:13 — God gives the Spirit to those who ask).