Are
Christians a Soul or a Spirit: The Answer is Both
The question raised in the title actually applies to all
mankind, not just Christians. It was worded that way as a teaser to hopefully
get you to read further. It was also raised to address a point of difference of
opinion among some Christians as to the nature of man’s make-up.
I had discussed some of the Bible scripture related to
this issue in one of my earlier blog posts. However, I’m returning to it now to
go beyond how the answer is key to our understanding of who we are in this
current Earthly existence. But will that relationship of soul and spirit change
when we have passed on to our future life with our Father God and the Lord
Jesus?
First, let’s review what the Scripture says about man’s
make-up from the beginning. The key initial verses are found in the story of
the Creation in Genesis Chapters One and Two. Specifically, we were taught:
Genesis
1:26-27: 26 And God said, Let us make
man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have
dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the
cattle, and over all the earth…”
27 So God created man in his
own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female
created he them.”
As we continued to read the Scripture we learned that God
is an Eternal Spirit. (Psalm 90: 1-2; John 1: 18, 4: 23-24) Since man was made in His image, we
were also made as eternal spirits.
Later in Genesis 2: 7, the Scripture further revealed: 7 And the Lord God
formed man of the dust of the
ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man
became a living soul.
Here we have the documentation that man consists
of both an eternal spirit and a living soul, which have been placed in a physical
body made of the dust of the earth.
To further clarify man’s make-up, we turn to the
Strong’s Concordance Hebrew and Aramaic Dictionary (for Old Testament usages), and
the Greek Dictionary (for New Testament usages)
to see the words “spirit” and “soul” in their original languages, and their
meanings generated by those who translated them into English. For reference, if
you do not have your personal copy of this Concordance, please see: https://biblehub.com/hebrew/7307.htm#:~:text=%E2%97%84%207307.%20ruach%20%E2%96%BA%20Strong%27s,Concordance%20ruach%3A%20breath%2C%20wind%2C%20spirit
Spirit – Strong’s Hebrew
(Old Testament) Number 07307 – “ruwach” – “air,
anger, blast, breath, cool, courage, mind, quarter,”
Because the word “spirit” is used literally
hundreds of times in the Scripture, relating to both the Holy Spirit and man’s individual
spirit, the definition addresses several concepts. However, most commonly the
concept relates to air, breath, wind, life, mind, make of quick understanding; and,
by resemblance spirit. All these are
invisible.
Continuing into the
definition found under Strong’s Greek (New Testament) Number 04151 – “pneuma”
– “spirit, ghost (See also: (https://biblehub.com/greek/4151.htm#:~:text=4151%20pne%C3%BAma%20%E2%80%93%20properly%2C%20spirit%20%28Spirit%29%2C%20wind%2C%20or,context%20however%20determines%20which%20sense%20%28s%29%20is%20meant. )
From pneo;
a current of air, i.e. Breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively,
a spirit, i.e. (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle,
mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God,
Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit -- ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind.
Compare psuche.”
In the New Testament the
word “spirit” is also used hundreds of times and most often is used in
reference to the “Holy Spirit” of God. But quite importantly, note that the
definition also says: “by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human)
the rational soul, (by implication) vital principle, mental disposition, etc…” That
is the key link between man’s spirit and his soul.
Soul – Strong’s Hebrew (Old
Testament) Number 05315 – “nephesh” – “a soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion,
appetite, emotion, the inner being of man. (https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5315.htm )
Strong’s Greek (New Testament) Number 05590 – “psuche” – “ (a) the vital breath,
breath of life, (b) the human soul, (c) the soul as the seat of affections and
will, (d) the self, (e) a human person, an individual. (https://biblehub.com/greek/5590.htm )
I’ve included all these details of the
definitions of “spirit” and “soul” to emphasize their interrelationships /
interconnectedness. Both are invisible. Both are eternal. The Bible Scripture
used their extremely close relationship to help explain the intricate working
of the “word of God”, when it said: “ For the
word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and
marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
(Hebrews 4:12).
As noted in my earlier blog post, when our Earthly journey is
over and our physical bodies “die”, our invisible soul and spirit are separated
from these temporary earthen bodies to be returned to our Creator. As
Christians who have committed our faith in the finished work of our Lord Jesus
through His death, burial and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15: 1-4; Romans 10:
9-13), we will have already received the eternal salvation of our soul and
spirit. The death of the earthen physical body has freed us to receive the new
eternal body made of “flesh and bone”, fashioned after the glorious body
of our resurrected Lord Jesus. (Romans 8: 22-23; Philippians 3: 20-21).
However, I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge the
Scripture that revealed the mystery that some among us will not physically “die”.
Sometime soon God will determine that the Body of Christ is complete, and those
who are alive and remain will be transformed directly into their new eternal
bodies. That will happen when the Lord calls
us home during what has been termed “the Rapture of the Church”. (1 Corinthians
15: 50-54; 1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18)
Whether by physical death or the Rapture, we will all proceed
to receive a new incorruptible, eternal physical body. Some, whose names are written
in the Lamb’s Book of Life, will receive a body like that of our Lord Jesus,
suitable for enjoying the blessings of eternal life. Others, whose names are not in the Book of
Life, will receive a body suitable for shame and contempt because of their
unwillingness to believe and accept God’s offer of salvation. (Daniel 12: 1-2; Revelation
20: 11-15)
I’ve given that background as a way of seeking the answer to
a question that has been raised in my mind, for which I have not found a
Biblical answer. That question pertains
to the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives once our time in these current physical
bodies is completed.
When our Lord Jesus met with His
disciples near the end of His Earthly Ministry, He told them of His soon departure
and return to our Heavenly Father. The Apostle John recorded that He added:
“16 And I
will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter,
that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the
Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not,
neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in
you.
18 I will
not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.” (John 14: 16-18)
Today we know that “Comforter” was and is the The Holy
Spirit., who has been our Teacher and Guide from the time we became
true Christians. (https://www.gotquestions.org/what-does-the-Holy-Spirit-do.html
); (https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/holy-spirit-bible-verses/
)
The words of our Lord Jesus above says that the “Comforter” /
Holy Spirit will abide with His followers “for ever”. So far I’ve concluded that
we as believing Christians will spend the next phase of our lives to eternity
in the presence of our Lord Jesus as soul and spirit, in our new bodies. As
such we will also be in the presence of the complete Godhead, including our
Father and the Holy Spirit. The precise role or relative role of each will become
clearer once we have been joined with the Lord in Heaven. I believe that is one
of the Bible’s unanswered mysteries.
Have any of you found additional, or better clarification in
the Scripture?
Dr. W. A. (Bill) Robinson
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