Are you a body with a soul, or a soul with a body?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,158
30,306
113
#21
I appreciate how deep you're reflecting on this. However, there's a theological point to consider regarding the immortality of the soul.
In traditional Christian belief, while God alone is inherently immortal (1 Timothy 6:16), it's also understood that God has endowed human souls with immortality. This means our souls, once created, do not cease to exist.

Also, Jesus' teaching in Matthew 10:28 says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This indicates that the soul survives physical death, affirming its immortality.

So, while we're putting on Christ’s immortality through grace by faith, it's also true that our souls,
created by God, possess an inherent immortality that aligns with that same divine grace.
That may be assumed by some but it is nowhere in the text. We attain to life ever after one way only = Jesus.
 

Magenta

Senior Member
Jul 3, 2015
61,158
30,306
113
#23
Oh, but it can't be assumed dear sister if it's backed by scripture.
If it is nowhere in the text it cannot be backed by Scripture.

All life is in Jesus. Those whose names are not written in the Lamb's book of life
at the end of this age pass into the second death, from which there is no return.
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,669
5,910
113
#24
While reading the thread about Baptism of the Holy Spirit, this thought came to me that I thought might be ignored in a thread that's so involved. Do you consider yourself a body, with a spirit and with an eternal soul, or an eternal soul that has a temporal body that's governed by a God given spirit?

It sound like a dumb question until you think and pray about it for a bit.
“And the LORD God formed man ( body ) of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;( spirit )

and man became a living soul.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

man is a living soul. Receiving the Holy Ghost is meant to redeem and lead our spirit unto God

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:1‬ ‭

“that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8:4‬ ‭KJV‬

The issue of our flesh v his spirit began when they ate the fruit of good and evil

“And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that he also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭6:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

a man is a living soul we live in a body of flesh but pit life force is the spirit of God the breath of life in man’s nostrils

“breathed into his nostrils the breath of life”

“All the while my breath is in me, And the spirit of God is in my nostrils;”
‭‭Job‬ ‭27:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the Holy Ghost is the spirit of Jesus Christ Gods only begotten son

“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭4:6‬

The same spirit Jesus sent here to the father

“And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭23:46‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Is sent from heaven to the church

“Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:33‬ ‭

A person is a soul . We’re made of a body and spirit. Gods spirit comes to live with us and redeem our spirit unto God where it came from
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,275
436
83
#25
I appreciate how deep you're reflecting on this. However, there's a theological point to consider regarding the immortality of the soul.
In traditional Christian belief, while God alone is inherently immortal (1 Timothy 6:16), it's also understood that God has endowed human souls with immortality. This means our souls, once created, do not cease to exist.

Also, Jesus' teaching in Matthew 10:28 says, "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This indicates that the soul survives physical death, affirming its immortality.

So, while we're putting on Christ’s immortality through grace by faith, it's also true that our souls, created by God, possess an inherent immortality that aligns with that same divine grace.
Man is spirit with a soul that lives in a body

1 Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole "spirit and soul and body" be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(MY NOTE: Humans are Spirit, Soul & Body)

Heb 4:12 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..
(MY NOTE: Man can't physically see nor separate soul from spirit, however, GOD CAN)

Your soul is your thoughts & emotions that direct the actions we take. And functions only, in relation with our body. Our spirit is the eternal part of each of us. Your body, well look into a mirror.

God is Spirit: John 4:24. A spirit doesn't have flesh and blood. Luke 24:39

God who is Spirit, Breathed (Nishmat Hayyim) His life giving spirit into mans body:

Gen 2:7. And man became a living soul.
(MY NOTE: It's only a "living soul" in relation to & in conjunction with the body. When the body dies & the two are no longer one. Yet, the spirit continues to lives on.

Matt 16:26 & Mk 8:36 What would it profit a man. To gain the whole world & lose his soul.
(MY NOTE: A soul can be lost).

Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Our choices in this life will determine whether our spirit spend eternity in the presents of God (all those/BELIEVERS at the bema/judgment seat of Christ) our creator with our soul intact, will live in His presence forever. All those at the white throne judgment/that rejected Jesus as Lord). Will spend eternity separated from God their creator with their soul being lost.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Topic: Soul, "nepes" noun- self, will, emotions, mind person.

Topic: Spirit,"pneuma" noun, signifies (a) "breath, the breath of life," (b) "wind," "spirit," "breath." See GHOST, LIFE, SPIRIT, WIND.

Gen 2:7 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.
(MY NOTE: God "Breathed" the "Breath" = Spirt into man creating a living soul)
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,669
5,910
113
#26
Man is spirit with a soul that lives in a body

1 Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole "spirit and soul and body" be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(MY NOTE: Humans are Spirit, Soul & Body)

Heb 4:12 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..
(MY NOTE: Man can't physically see nor separate soul from spirit, however, GOD CAN)

Your soul is your thoughts & emotions that direct the actions we take. And functions only, in relation with our body. Our spirit is the eternal part of each of us. Your body, well look into a mirror.

God is Spirit: John 4:24. A spirit doesn't have flesh and blood. Luke 24:39

God who is Spirit, Breathed (Nishmat Hayyim) His life giving spirit into mans body:

Gen 2:7. And man became a living soul.
(MY NOTE: It's only a "living soul" in relation to & in conjunction with the body. When the body dies & the two are no longer one. Yet, the spirit continues to lives on.

Matt 16:26 & Mk 8:36 What would it profit a man. To gain the whole world & lose his soul.
(MY NOTE: A soul can be lost).

Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Our choices in this life will determine whether our spirit spend eternity in the presents of God (all those/BELIEVERS at the bema/judgment seat of Christ) our creator with our soul intact. Or eternity separated from God their creator with their soul being lo (all those at the white throne judgment/that rejected Jesus as Lord) .

MORE HELP:

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Topic: Soul, "nepes" noun- self, will, emotions, mind person.

Topic: Spirit,"pneuma" noun, signifies (a) "breath, the breath of life," (b) "wind," "spirit," "breath." See GHOST, LIFE, SPIRIT, WIND.

Gen 2:7 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.
(MY NOTE: God "Breathed" the "Breath" = Spirt into man creating a living soul)
Yes man became a living soul
 

The_Parson

Active member
Dec 1, 2024
145
32
28
East Tennessee
#28
Scripture on Being Born Again:
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Scripture on the Distinctions Between Soul and Spirit:
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:12 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.

Scripture on the Soul's Immortality:
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Each of these verses highlight the biblical basis for understanding the differences between the soul and spirit, and the concept of being born again. The soul's immortality is also a major point in all these scriptures.
 

The_Parson

Active member
Dec 1, 2024
145
32
28
East Tennessee
#29
Okay folks, explain this particular verse for me please...

Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." I’d love to hear your thoughts on this verse.
How do you understand the relationship between the body, soul, and spirit based on this scripture?
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,275
436
83
#30
Man is spirit with a soul that lives in a body

1 Thess 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole "spirit and soul and body" be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(MY NOTE: Humans are Spirit, Soul & Body)

Heb 4:12 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..
(MY NOTE: Man can't physically see nor separate soul from spirit, however, GOD CAN)

Your soul is your thoughts & emotions that direct the actions we take. And functions only, in relation with our body. Our spirit is the eternal part of each of us. Your body, well look into a mirror.

God is Spirit: John 4:24. A spirit doesn't have flesh and blood. Luke 24:39

God who is Spirit, Breathed (Nishmat Hayyim) His life giving spirit into mans body:

Gen 2:7. And man became a living soul.
(MY NOTE: It's only a "living soul" in relation to & in conjunction with the body. When the body dies & the two are no longer one. Yet, the spirit continues to lives on.

Matt 16:26 & Mk 8:36 What would it profit a man. To gain the whole world & lose his soul.
(MY NOTE: A soul can be lost).

Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

Our choices in this life will determine whether our spirit spend eternity in the presents of God (all those/BELIEVERS at the bema/judgment seat of Christ) our creator with our soul intact, will live in His presence forever. All those at the white throne judgment/that rejected Jesus as Lord). Will spend eternity separated from God their creator with their soul being lost.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words

Topic: Soul, "nepes" noun- self, will, emotions, mind person.

Topic: Spirit,"pneuma" noun, signifies (a) "breath, the breath of life," (b) "wind," "spirit," "breath." See GHOST, LIFE, SPIRIT, WIND.

Gen 2:7 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.
(MY NOTE: God "Breathed" the "Breath" = Spirt into man creating a living soul)
Scripture on Being Born Again:
John 3:3
Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

Scripture on the Distinctions Between Soul and Spirit:
1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Hebrews 4:12 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.

Scripture on the Soul's Immortality:
Ecclesiastes 12:7
Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

Each of these verses highlight the biblical basis for understanding the differences between the soul and spirit, and the concept of being born again. The soul's immortality is also a major point in all these scriptures.
I'll recite
Matt 16:26 & Mk 8:36 What would it profit a man. To gain the whole world & lose his soul.
(MY NOTE: A soul can be lost).

One's spiritual life (born again) is determined my accepting or rejecting Jesus as Lord.

My reply spoke to 1 Thes 5:23, Heb 4:12 & Ecc 12:7.

To Matt 10:28 Only Jesus can kill the soul, again, based on one's decision to accept or reject Him as Lord.
 

The_Parson

Active member
Dec 1, 2024
145
32
28
East Tennessee
#31
Your soul is your thoughts & emotions that direct the actions we take. And functions only, in relation with our body. Our spirit is the eternal part of each of us. Your body, well look into a mirror.
Wouldn't you think it might be the other way around? It seems to me that our spirit would be what encompasses our thoughts and emotions, while our soul is the core of our identity, essentially, "you" in a more holistic sense.

Consider how we use the term "spirit" in everyday language. We often hear phrases like "you're in a bad spirit today" or "you seem to have a happy spirit." This suggests that our spirit reflects our current state of mind and emotions.

Therefore, it might make more sense to view the spirit as the part of us that deals with our thoughts and emotions, while the soul represents our eternal essence. Do you get my meaning?
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,275
436
83
#32
Wouldn't you think it might be the other way around? It seems to me that our spirit would be what encompasses our thoughts and emotions, while our soul is the core of our identity, essentially, "you" in a more holistic sense.

Consider how we use the term "spirit" in everyday language. We often hear phrases like "you're in a bad spirit today" or "you seem to have a happy spirit." This suggests that our spirit reflects our current state of mind and emotions.

Therefore, it might make more sense to view the spirit as the part of us that deals with our thoughts and emotions, while the soul represents our eternal essence. Do you get my meaning?
No I stand by my posted belief. Additionally, I posted Vines dictionary (verifiable) translators statements.

Topic: Soul, "nepes" noun- self, will, emotions, mind person.

Topic: Spirit,"pneuma" noun, signifies (a) "breath, the breath of life," (b) "wind," "spirit," "breath." See GHOST, LIFE, SPIRIT, WIND.

You're free to promote your belief, having said that. I respectfully disagree. Best wishes, FD
 

The_Parson

Active member
Dec 1, 2024
145
32
28
East Tennessee
#33
No I stand by my posted belief. Additionally, I posted Vines dictionary (verifiable) translators statements.

Topic: Soul, "nepes" noun- self, will, emotions, mind person.

Topic: Spirit,"pneuma" noun, signifies (a) "breath, the breath of life," (b) "wind," "spirit," "breath." See GHOST, LIFE, SPIRIT, WIND.

You're free to promote your belief, having said that. I respectfully disagree. Best wishes, FD
Well, alrighty then!!! As you wish...
 

Pilgrimshope

Well-known member
Sep 2, 2020
14,669
5,910
113
#34
Okay folks, explain this particular verse for me please...

Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." I’d love to hear your thoughts on this verse.
How do you understand the relationship between the body, soul, and spirit based on this scripture?
mans creation

“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.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

A Mans deconstruction at his death

“Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was:( man’s body returns to the dust it came from )

and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.”( the spirit that gave man life , returns to God from whom it came )
‭‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭12:7‬ ‭

The preacher is discussing the vanity of man and how we were made by God and will return to him for judgement after we leave our body behind in the dust
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die,( body dies ) but after this the judgment:”( spirit returns to God for judgement )
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭


“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭

Our body of flesh is doomed because of sin but our spirit can live
 
Nov 1, 2024
1,213
384
83
#35
Okay folks, explain this particular verse for me please...

Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." I’d love to hear your thoughts on this verse.
How do you understand the relationship between the body, soul, and spirit based on this scripture?
I have to look to what I was patterned after to make any sense of it. God, the father, is the invisible essence from which everything flows. This I correlate with the soul. The word, or son, of God is the visible form of God through which he makes himself known to creation. Likewise, we have a body that serves the same function. The spirit(s) of God are the invisible energy or force that makes everything happen. So we too have a spirit that energizes and animates our being
 

studentoftheword

Well-known member
Nov 12, 2021
1,747
609
113
#36
Do you consider yourself a body, with a spirit and with an eternal soul, or an eternal soul that has a temporal body that's governed by a God given spirit?
You are a tri-part being ----First your a Spirit Being ----you Possess a Soul and your Spirit and Soul are housed in a Temporal physical body which is needed to live in this Physical world -----

Many use the Spirit and soul interchangeably but the Scripture separated them ---Hebrews 4:12

We are made in God's image ---which is a Spirit being ----then God breathed life into us ---Soul and the body of dust houses these till we pass from this world ----

 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
3,045
1,799
113
#37
Okay folks, explain this particular verse for me please...

Ecclesiastes 12:7 states, "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." I’d love to hear your thoughts on this verse.
How do you understand the relationship between the body, soul, and spirit based on this scripture?
It looks more like concentric circles with the body being the largest, the soul the next, and then the spirit. Without regeneration, the spirit of the man lies in darkness. We were always designed to live according to the leading of the Spirit: from God's Spirit to our spirits. Indeed, our spirits and His Spirit are of the same substance. By this, we have an endowment from our Father AND it is the only way we possess the image and likeness of God. God is Spirit and those who worship Him must do so in Spirit and in Truth.

That which does not carry the grace of God is ultimately destroyed before the age of the new heaven and the new earth. Because God will be "All in all"in that age, that which carries no purpose of God is no longer needed by God.

I understand the arguments for Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT) in Hell. Even careful exegesis will not help us come to a conclusion for whether or not condemned man will be tortured in Hell for eternity. We must know the Lord to understand the answer: being bereft of any use toward God, the spirit in man returns to God who gave it. Those who are in Christ are given new bodies. Those who are not in Christ are destroyed in the Lake of Fire. God then becomes All in all in that age. ECT would have us settle on God being "All in some". No.
 

Aaron56

Well-known member
Jul 12, 2021
3,045
1,799
113
#39
I have to be honest with you, I didn't expect such a wide variety of beliefs on this subject.
Well, the body has a heart and a brain distinct from the soul and spirit. And the soul and spirit have minds and wills of their own. But that is a 10 page write up. :)
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
20,084
6,884
113
62
#40
It looks more like concentric circles with the body being the largest, the soul the next, and then the spirit. Without regeneration, the spirit of the man lies in darkness. We were always designed to live according to the leading of the Spirit: from God's Spirit to our spirits. Indeed, our spirits and His Spirit are of the same substance. By this, we have an endowment from our Father AND it is the only way we possess the image and likeness of God. God is Spirit and those who worship Him must do so in Spirit and in Truth.

That which does not carry the grace of God is ultimately destroyed before the age of the new heaven and the new earth. Because God will be "All in all"in that age, that which carries no purpose of God is no longer needed by God.

I understand the arguments for Eternal Conscious Torment (ECT) in Hell. Even careful exegesis will not help us come to a conclusion for whether or not condemned man will be tortured in Hell for eternity. We must know the Lord to understand the answer: being bereft of any use toward God, the spirit in man returns to God who gave it. Those who are in Christ are given new bodies. Those who are not in Christ are destroyed in the Lake of Fire. God then becomes All in all in that age. ECT would have us settle on God being "All in some". No.
Couple of questions:
Is "in all" necessarily all, given that God is never in all in a redemption sense? All are said to be "in" the image of God, but not all are "in" Christ.
If God's preeminent purpose is His glory, and if God is equally glorified in all His attributes, why wouldn't eternal justice serve God's purpose?