Nielsen’s Nook

Parts: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

Translation

I believe in the Holy Spirit, [1] the holy catholic [2] church, the communion [3] of saints

[1] τὸ πνευμα το Ἅγιον is a double articular phrase, not uncommon, but seeking to make sure we understand which Spirit the Creed confesses (lit. the Spirit the holy one).

[2] καθολικὴν (καθολικός) speaks of the universal or general “in contrast to a single congregation. The Martyrdom of Polycarp (ca after 156 AD) fleshes out some of the semantics. Ἰησοῦν Χριστόν, τὸν σωτῆρα τῶν ψυχῶν ἡμῶν καὶ κυβερνήτην τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν καὶ ποιμένα τῆς κατὰ τὴν οἰκουμένην καθολικῆς ἐκκλησίας. “… Jesus Christ, the savior of our souls and captain of our bodies and shepherd of the catholic church which is throughout the inhabited earth.” (author’s translation)

[3] κοινωνίαν (κοινωνία) is the often used and not-very-understood word for fellowship or communion. Philippians 2:1 speaks of communion of/with the Spirit. Εἴ τις οὖν παράκλησις ἐν Χριστῷ, εἴ τι παραμύθιον ἀγάπης, εἴ τις κοινωνία πνεύματος. If therefore there is any comfort in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any communion with the Spirit. (author’s translation) Semantically, the idea of communion seems to capture the more ready notion of fellowship and its connection to participation. In other words, κοινωνία suggest an active participation in the fellowship that is the basis for all things common.