What does filioque mean?
The word filioque is a Latin term meaning “and the Son.” At first glance, it appears to be a small addition to the Nicene Creed, but its impact has shaped centuries of theology and church history. To answer the question What does filioque mean? we must explore both its linguistic roots and its theological consequences.
The filioque was added to the Nicene Creed in the late sixth century, originally to counter Arianism, which denied the full divinity of Christ. The original Creed stated that the Holy Spirit “proceeds from the Father.” With the addition, it came to read “proceeds from the Father and the Son.” Western theologians believed this affirmed the equality of the Son with the Father, while Eastern Christians saw it as undermining the Father’s unique role as the source of divine life.
Though a single word, filioque carried profound implications, eventually contributing to the division between the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches in 1054.
1. Etymology and meaning of filioque
The term filioque comes from Latin:
filius – meaning “son.”
-que – a conjunction meaning “and.”
Together, the word simply means “and the Son.” It functions as an ablative form in Latin, indicating procession or origin, which is why it was inserted into the Creed to describe the Spirit’s procession.
Related word forms
The word filial, meaning “pertaining to a son or daughter,” also comes from filius. Its deeper roots may go back to a Proto-Indo-European root *dhe(i)-, “to suck, suckle.” This root connects words such as:
Latin fetus (offspring, pregnancy).
Latin femina (woman, “she who suckles”).
Greek thēlē (mother’s breast, nipple).
Old Irish dinu (lamb).
The etymology of filioque, therefore, ties it to the imagery of offspring, nurture, and life. This makes theological sense: the Son, eternally begotten of the Father, shares in the divine life and, with the Father, gives the Spirit.
In summary, filioque means:
Literally – “and the Son.”
Theologically – The Spirit proceeds from both Father and Son.
Historically – A clause in the Nicene Creed that came to separate East and West.
2. Historical background of the filioque
The filioque was not in the original Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed of 381. It was first added at the Third Council of Toledo in 589, where King Reccared of Spain endorsed it after converting from Arianism.
The addition served three purposes:
Combat Arianism – Arianism taught that the Son was not fully divine. The filioque affirmed that the Son shares in the same divine life as the Father.
Confess equality – By including the Son in the Spirit’s procession, the Creed proclaimed the Son’s full equality with the Father.
Unify the kingdom – The political setting required a clear confession of orthodoxy to stabilize Spain’s church and monarchy.
From Spain, the phrase spread gradually through the Western Church. The Roman popes were slow to accept it in the liturgy, fearing to alter the Creed without a universal council. But in practice, the West embraced the doctrine, while the East rejected it as an innovation.
3. Theological meaning of the filioque
When asking What does filioque mean? the most important aspect is theological. The doctrine states that the Spirit proceeds eternally from both Father and Son.
Arguments for the filioque
Scriptural support:
John 15:26 – The Spirit proceeds from the Father, but is sent by the Son.
John 16:7 – Jesus says, “If I go, I will send him to you.”
Acts 2:33 – Christ pours out the Spirit, received from the Father.
Romans 8:9 – The Spirit is called the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ.
Unity of the Trinity: The Spirit as bond of love between Father and Son highlights their oneness.
Defense of Christ’s deity: If the Spirit proceeds through the Son, then the Son shares in divine authority.
Objections to the filioque
Eastern theology raised several objections:
It altered the Creed without ecumenical consent.
It undermined the Father as the unique source (arche) of the Trinity.
It risked confusing the personal relations of the Trinity.
These disagreements eventually led to the Great Schism of 1054, dividing the Eastern Orthodox and Western Catholic traditions.
4. Filioque, salvation, and the Gospel
Beyond history and etymology, the filioque touches the heart of salvation. The Spirit’s procession from Father and Son is not a distant doctrine but the basis for Christian life.
The Father sends the Son into the world (John 3:16).
The Son accomplishes redemption and gives the Spirit (John 20:22).
The Spirit unites believers to Christ and seals them for resurrection (Ephesians 1:13–14).
The filioque affirms that the Spirit comes through the Son. Without this truth, we might separate the work of the Spirit from the work of Christ. Yet Scripture shows they are inseparable. Romans 8:9 calls Him “the Spirit of Christ.” Galatians 4:6 says God has sent “the Spirit of His Son” into our hearts.
This means that the Gospel is Trinitarian: the Father plans salvation, the Son accomplishes it, and the Spirit applies it. Believers live now in the Spirit as a guarantee of the age to come, awaiting the new heavens and new earth (Revelation 21:1–4).
5. Mystery and unresolved questions
While we can define the word filioque and trace its history, the deeper reality may remain beyond human comprehension. The eternal relations within the Trinity are revealed but not fully explained.
Paul confesses, “How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!” (Romans 11:33).
Jesus reminds us that the Spirit “will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14).
The church continues to wrestle with language that protects both the Father’s role as source and the Son’s role as mediator.
Thus, while the controversy may never be fully resolved, the meaning of filioque draws us into deeper worship of the mystery of the Triune God.
Conclusion
What does filioque mean? Literally, it means “and the Son.” Theologically, it declares that the Holy Spirit proceeds from the Father and the Son. Historically, it was added to the Nicene Creed in 589 to counter Arianism, but it became a dividing line between East and West.
The filioque reminds the church that even one word can carry vast significance. It underscores the full divinity of the Son, the unity of the Trinity, and the inseparability of the Gospel’s work. Above all, it calls believers to confess the Triune God with humility, faith, and hope in the Spirit who seals us for the life to come.
Bible verses related to the filioque
John 14:16 – “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever.”
John 15:26 – “When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me.”
John 16:7 – “If I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
John 16:14 – “He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you.”
Acts 2:33 – “Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God…he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”
Romans 8:9 – “Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.”
Galatians 4:6 – “God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Ephesians 1:13–14 – “You were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance.”
Philippians 1:19 – “Through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.”
Revelation 22:17 – “The Spirit and the Bride say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’”
