Difference between Soul and Spirit

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GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
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#21
This can be construed as the 'carnal Christian' doctrine where a man may live like the devil in his soul & body here on earth and God kills him, but his spirit will be saved.
No, not construed, But, YES, Very Biblical: 'carnal' member(s) (1Co 5:5), of
The Eternal Body Of Christ, Shall suffer:

At The Judgment Seat Of Christ (1Co 3:8-15), But, Be Saved!:

v 15: "If any man's [bad] work shall be burned, he shall
suffer loss: but he himself Shall Be Saved; yet so as by fire."

Trust The Bible Only, not men's theology...
 

JaumeJ

Senior Member
Jul 2, 2011
21,405
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#22
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.
Thank you and may God bless you bountifully for coming my aid finding the exact scripture.
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
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#23
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.
Did everyone notice that “joints and marrow “ pertain to the BODY….:unsure:

We are 3 parts… spirit and soul and body. :love:(y)

The Word of God affects our spirit and soul and body.
 

IsaiahA

Active member
Jan 24, 2023
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#24
Thank you and may God bless you bountifully for coming my aid finding the exact scripture.
When encountering two statements in the scriptures that seem irreconcilable, it is clear that one or possibly both are being misunderstood from how the writer meant the words. The statement in Hebrews reads,

"Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account." (Heb 4:12-13)

When I read text of the living word of God which is immaterial 'thought' compared to a sword that is material I know not to be overly literal in my understanding the meaning. The heart in scripture can mean the mind as it does here, and the one mind can been viewed in two aspects, "thoughts" and "intentions", but it is one mind or heart. When the word of God divides "joints" from "marrow", it is still dividing the one material body, not two bodies. The phrase "divides soul from spirit" is dividing two perspectives or aspects of man's spirit, seen from different points of view.

This still agrees the many scriptures showing the words and concept "spirit" and "soul" are interchangeable. In v13 it is clear the statement is to show just how deeply and completely God knows us in every aspect of our being. We can hide nothing from God, even thoughts and intents, and I believe we all could profit from keeping that in mind each day. This same understanding applies to other verses that on the surface seem to distinguish "soul" from "spirit".
 

IsaiahA

Active member
Jan 24, 2023
114
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#25
No, not construed, But, YES, Very Biblical: 'carnal' member(s) (1Co 5:5), of
The Eternal Body Of Christ, Shall suffer:

At The Judgment Seat Of Christ (1Co 3:8-15), But, Be Saved!:

v 15: "If any man's [bad] work shall be burned, he shall
suffer loss: but he himself Shall Be Saved; yet so as by fire."

Trust The Bible Only, not men's theology...
"In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus." (1Cor 5:4-5)

So, we are to think "destruction of the flesh" means letting Satan kill a true believer because the Almighty is unable to progressively sanctify him here on earth?

"And may God Himself who gives peace, make you entirely holy; and may your spirits, souls and bodies be preserved complete and be found blameless at the Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He will also perfect His work." (1Thess 5:23-24)

Sin can be its own worst chastisement and punishment for a child of God. The idea of "flesh" represents our sin nature in Paul as well as our fleshly body. To hand the child of God over to Satan in excommunication is to bring him to his senses. The false professor stays lost.

"For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." (Rom 8:3-9)
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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#26
.
So, we are to think "destruction of the flesh" means letting Satan kill a true
believer because the Almighty is unable to progressively sanctify him here
on earth?

The individual-- about whom that passage pertains --survived, reformed,
and was taken back in church. (2Cor 2:4-11) So we ought not assume Paul
meant for people to lose their lives when a congregation ostracizes gross
offenders.

FAQ: Does 2Cor 2:5-10 support the Watchtower Society's shunning practices
and/or Scientology's disconnection methods?

REPLY: Those organizations practice extreme forms of ostracizing that
oftentimes destroy friendship bonds, destroy family ties, and even
destroy marriage vows.

Christian ostracizing is pretty much limited to fellowship, i.e. congregational
functions, e.g. worship services, communion, prayer meetings, banquets,
etc. Seeking people's lives puts Christians in jeopardy of failing to comply
with Christ's instructions per Matt 5:44-48. (cf. 2Thess 3:14-15)
_
 

Blade

Well-known member
Nov 19, 2019
1,766
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#27
Soul as sis said mind, will and emotions. Thes 5:23. We know God talks to our Spirit "the Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God". When were born again its our spirit not body and mind "2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come"

For me its always been hard to see both. Even the lord told me once "I know its hard for you to go from the natural to the supernatural, from a regular job into the ministry. "
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,886
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#28
When encountering two statements in the scriptures that seem irreconcilable, it is clear that one or possibly both are being misunderstood from how the writer meant the words. The statement in Hebrews reads,

"Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account." (Heb 4:12-13)

When I read text of the living word of God which is immaterial 'thought' compared to a sword that is material I know not to be overly literal in my understanding the meaning. The heart in scripture can mean the mind as it does here, and the one mind can been viewed in two aspects, "thoughts" and "intentions", but it is one mind or heart. When the word of God divides "joints" from "marrow", it is still dividing the one material body, not two bodies. The phrase "divides soul from spirit" is dividing two perspectives or aspects of man's spirit, seen from different points of view.

This still agrees the many scriptures showing the words and concept "spirit" and "soul" are interchangeable. In v13 it is clear the statement is to show just how deeply and completely God knows us in every aspect of our being. We can hide nothing from God, even thoughts and intents, and I believe we all could profit from keeping that in mind each day. This same understanding applies to other verses that on the surface seem to distinguish "soul" from "spirit".
Why does God’s Word call us The Body of Christ?

In the Physical Realm, to operate you must have a physical body. Without a BODY the spirit and soul cannot manifest or operate.

God created this Physical Realm and He created each of us with a BODY to in-house a spirit and a soul…. in His Image.

Even God created a BODY for Himself… Jesus Christ… Emmanuel God with us on the Earth.

Jesus Christ is The Body of God… Jesus Christ is God dwelling with us in the Physical Realm.

Jesus Christ left Earth but now we are His Physical Body in the Earth empowered with the Holy Spirit and growing up and maturing because we start as babies when we’re born again.

Jesus Christ is the Visible God of the Invisible God and we are the visible Jesus Christ… we are His witnesses on the Earth.

Jesus Christ told His disciples, “If you have seen Me, you have seen the Father.”

We need to be able to say, “If you have seen me, you have seen Jesus Christ.”

But, look… in the Earth, Jesus Christ came even to His own yet, they did NOT receive Him… we’re in the Earth as the Physical Body of Christ and many reject us… BUT, to those that believe in Him in Jesus Christ- the One Savior we preach, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.

Do NOT underestimate your Physical Body in the Earth… follow Jesus Christ, let Him manifest and operate through you in the Earth… be His Light, be His Love. Amen. :love:(y)
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
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#29
When encountering two statements in the scriptures that seem irreconcilable, it is clear that one or possibly both are being misunderstood from how the writer meant the words. The statement in Hebrews reads,

"Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account." (Heb 4:12-13)

When I read text of the living word of God which is immaterial 'thought' compared to a sword that is material I know not to be overly literal in my understanding the meaning. The heart in scripture can mean the mind as it does here, and the one mind can been viewed in two aspects, "thoughts" and "intentions", but it is one mind or heart. When the word of God divides "joints" from "marrow", it is still dividing the one material body, not two bodies. The phrase "divides soul from spirit" is dividing two perspectives or aspects of man's spirit, seen from different points of view.

This still agrees the many scriptures showing the words and concept "spirit" and "soul" are interchangeable. In v13 it is clear the statement is to show just how deeply and completely God knows us in every aspect of our being. We can hide nothing from God, even thoughts and intents, and I believe we all could profit from keeping that in mind each day. This same understanding applies to other verses that on the surface seem to distinguish "soul" from "spirit".
Nice I like it.

Seems like Paul is saying here that the way you're able to know your own thoughts is if you have a spirit. Apparently, the fact that you were able to think of a reply means your spirit is accessing the thoughts in your brain. Apparently, thoughts aren't a spirit, and a spirit isn't thoughts, they work together with the body.

We can test this as factual as well. Brain damaged people may be able to produce some thoughts, many, or none at all, but not the same as they were before.

Starting to see why we should have the mind of Christ?

1 Corinthians 2
11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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#30
.
Jesus said in Matt 10:28 that the soul is perishable by the hand of God in a
fire identified by the Greek word geena, which is different than the fire of
haides we find distressing the rich man in Luke 16:23.

We know from Gen 2:7 that "soul" pertains to sentient existence as opposed
to the mindless state of rocks and fence posts. This suggests to me that
when people's souls are destroyed, they lose consciousness and self awareness
which, if so, would mean they won't be subjected to perpetual suffering in
the lake of fire depicted by Rev 20:11-15.
_
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
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#31
.
Jesus said in Matt 10:28 that the soul is perishable by the hand of God in a
fire identified by the Greek word geena, which is different than the fire of
haides we find distressing the rich man in Luke 16:23.


We know from Gen 2:7 that "soul" pertains to sentient existence as opposed
to the mindless state of rocks and fence posts. This suggests to me that
when people's souls are destroyed, they lose consciousness and self awareness
which, if so, would mean they won't be subjected to perpetual suffering in
the lake of fire depicted by Rev 20:11-15.
_
I agree. And they called it the second death for a reason.

So here’s a question. If the body without the spirit is dead then what about the spirit without the body?

James 2
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

The body = works
The spirit = faith
The body without the spirit = faith without works

The body with the spirit = faith with works

It seems James’ conclusion is that faith alone isn’t enough and works alone isn’t enough.

So is James saying the spirit is dead if the body is dead?
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,886
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#32
I agree. And they called it the second death for a reason.

So here’s a question. If the body without the spirit is dead then what about the spirit without the body?

James 2
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

The body = works
The spirit = faith
The body without the spirit = faith without works

The body with the spirit = faith with works

It seems James’ conclusion is that faith alone isn’t enough and works alone isn’t enough.

So is James saying the spirit is dead if the body is dead?
No, the spirit is not dead if the body is dead.
 

Webers.Home

Well-known member
May 28, 2018
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#33
.
James 2:26 . . the body without the spirit, is dead.

The Greek word translated "spirit" can refer to a number of things. But in
James' verse, I'm pretty sure it refers to the breath of life per Gen 2:7
where it's said:

"The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being."

The Hebrew word for "living being" is nephesh, which is oftentimes
translated soul, i.e. that which indicates the man came into existence as
a sentient creation instead of an incognizant creation like petroleum,
coconuts, and metals.
_
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
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#34
No, the spirit is not dead if the body is dead.
If that’s true, then I don’t see how the comparison James is making would be accurate. So what did James mean?

James 2
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
 

Cameron143

Well-known member
Mar 1, 2022
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#35
If that’s true, then I don’t see how the comparison James is making would be accurate. So what did James mean?

James 2
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
It merely shows the necessity of both. The body will not exhibit life without the spirit. Faith will not be be apparent apart from works.
 

cv5

Well-known member
Nov 20, 2018
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#36
The Word of God affects our spirit and soul and body.
It certainly should motivate these "containers" to do His will as we walk in His Spirit.
 

Lafftur

Senior Member
Apr 18, 2017
6,886
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#37
If that’s true, then I don’t see how the comparison James is making would be accurate.

So what did James mean?

James 2
26As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Try thinking of “works” more like “evidence.”

Leaves on a tree move because the wind is blowing. We can’t physically SEE the wind but we can physically see the evidence that the wind is there.

Likewise, we can’t physically SEE faith but we can physically see a Christian receive a miracle or have peace when everyone else is full of fear… behavior that is Christ-like is evidence of faith in the person.
 

Saul-to-Paul

Junior Member
Jun 5, 2017
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#38
My pastor recently alluded to the difference between Soul and Spirit being 2 different things. I'm 71 so my memory is slipping a bit but I don't recall ever seeing this before. Can anybody explain this to an old man and give me scripture references? Be blessed.
Genesis 2:7
And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul.

Breath of life(spirit) + body = soul.
 

shittim

Senior Member
Dec 16, 2016
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#40
The Spirit doesn't sleep, the soul can sleep, the body can sleep, hence He can communicate with us in dreams, ask for dreams, He gives freely.
blessings:)(y):unsure::coffee: