Illumination of the Holy Spirit

Definition and Meaning

Illumination is the work by which the Holy Spirit enlightens the human heart to understand and receive the Word of God that has already been given. The term means "to shine upon and make clear." Theology distinguishes illumination from two related concepts. The first is revelation, by which God discloses himself and makes himself known. The second is inspiration, by which the Holy Spirit moved the human authors of Scripture to write. Illumination is described as a work of the Spirit that takes place in those who read and hear the written Bible.

Biblical and Historical Background

Commonly cited passages include the following:

• Psalm 119:18: "Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."
• Luke 24:45: The risen Jesus opens the understanding of the disciples so that they might understand the Scriptures.
• John 16:13: The Spirit of truth guides into all truth.
• 1 Corinthians 2:12–14: Those who have received the Spirit of God know the things of God.
• Ephesians 1:17–18: A prayer that the eyes of the understanding may be enlightened.

After the Reformation, Protestants formulated this doctrine as they grounded the interpretation of Scripture in the Word and the Spirit. In the Institutes of the Christian Religion, John Calvin taught that the authority of Scripture is confirmed by the "inward testimony of the Holy Spirit." The Westminster Confession of Faith (chapter 1, section 6) confesses that "the inward illumination of the Spirit of God" is necessary for a saving understanding of the Word. The same section states that nothing is to be added to Scripture, even by new revelations of the Spirit, thereby distinguishing illumination from new revelation.

Practice in Korean Churches

In Korean churches, prayers before the sermon commonly ask God to "help us to understand the Word." Some congregations include a "prayer for illumination" in the order of worship, offered before the Scripture reading and the sermon. Quiet time and Bible study also frequently begin with a prayer for illumination.

Emphases differ among denominations. Presbyterians in the Reformed tradition hold that illumination enables believers to understand the meaning of the written Scripture but does not grant new revelation beyond Scripture. They cite this distinction as grounds for caution toward claims of so-called direct revelation.

In Pentecostal and charismatic circles, an explanation distinguishing two kinds of "word" has been widely used. One is logos, the written Word; the other is rhema, the living word that the Holy Spirit makes known to an individual at a particular time. In Korea, Pastor David Yonggi Cho is known for popularizing this distinction. Those who accept this explanation hold that rhema is also given through the written Scripture. Critics warn that personal experience risks taking precedence over the interpretation of Scripture.