Proof-texting is not the same as proofreading. Instead of contextual balance, proof-texting reveals conceptual bias. Such a condition is exposed when one relies upon the King James Version of the scriptures (or incredibly worse, the New World Translation) to support bad doctrine concerning the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:16, 26, of the KJV reads, "16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: … 26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."
Why did the translators of the KJV use itself instead of himself in Romans 8? The reason is not due to theological bias or denial (see John 16:13-14 KJV). The usage was simply because the word Spirit is gender neutral, so to follow the grammar the translators stayed gender neutral with the pronoun auto.
The contextual emphasis of Romans 8 is not about the Spirit’s lack of personhood. It’s about action. The emphasis is about the reality of a new identity for the Christian through the Spirit’s work. The Spirit is not being helped, and he is not stuck in neutral in Romans 8:16, 26. The Christian is being helped through the Spirit’s own initiative, his own intent, and his own identity. Through the Spirit’s revelation, we learn the Spirit’s help for the Christian is automatic!
Does the lack of flesh of bone (Luke 24:39) equate to the lack of personhood? Would an intellectually honest person dare to suggest the same concerning the preincarnate Word (John 1:1, 14), or of the Father (Hebrews 12:9)? An unwillingness to do so would prove the proof-texting agenda.
The Holy Spirit searches (1 Corinthians 2:10), he speaks (1 Timothy 4:1), he can be blasphemed (Matthew 12:31-32), and he has authority (Matthew 28:18-19). Present at the creation of life on this earth (Genesis 1:1-2) and extending an invitation to life after this earth (Revelation 22:17), the Holy Spirit is not a Spir-it, he is the Spirit of God (Matthew 3:16-17).
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