The Filioque

Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father alone, or from the Father and the Son? The debate between East and West over the creed and the word Filioque.

Bible verses on Filioque

8 verses are cited on this page. Each one links to its chapter in the Greek text.

The Filioque debate

Eastern OrthodoxThe Spirit proceeds from the Father alone, as the original creed of 381 says and as John 15:26 states. The Latin addition of "and the Son" (Filioque) to the creed was made without an ecumenical council and distorts the Father's unique role as source.
CatholicThe Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son as from one principle. Scripture shows the Son sending the Spirit and the Spirit as the Spirit of the Son, and "from the Son" and the Eastern "through the Son" express one truth. The concern over how the addition was made is distinct from the doctrine itself.

The questions, and the texts on each side

Does the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father alone?

...the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father.John 15:26

The one explicit statement of procession names the Father as source, the ground of the Eastern position, which the West affirms as true.

Does the Spirit proceed from the Son as well?

...but if I go, I will send him to you.John 16:7

The Son himself sends the Spirit, which the West reads as revealing the Son's part in the Spirit's coming forth.

...he breathed on them; and he said to them: Receive ye the Holy Ghost.John 20:22

The risen Christ breathes the Spirit upon the apostles, the Spirit coming through the Son.

...God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts.Galatians 4:6

The Spirit is called the Spirit of the Son, bound to the Son in his very identity.

The answer

John 15:26 names the Father as the source from whom the Spirit proceeds, which the West affirms. Yet the Son sends the Spirit (John 16:7; 20:22), and the Spirit is "the Spirit of his Son" (Galatians 4:6), so the West confesses that the Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son as from one principle, the Council of Florence (1439) teaching that the Latin "from the Son" and the Greek "through the Son" mean one and the same thing. The grievance over how the word was added to the creed of 381 is a real historical question, and honesty grants it; but the doctrine of one spiration from Father and Son stands.

The Greek words behind this debate

Read the Greek New Testament