What exactly is our soul?

[Reddogs]

Ezek 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. 21 But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die. 22 All his transgressions that he hath committed, they shall not be mentioned unto him: in his righteousness that he hath done he shall live. 23Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? 24 But when the righteous turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and doeth according to all the abominations that the wicked man doeth, shall he live? All his righteousness that he hath done shall not be mentioned: in his trespass that he hath trespassed, and in his sin that he hath sinned, in them shall he die. 25 Yet ye say, The way of the Lord is not equal. Hear now, O house of Israel; Is not my way equal? are not your ways unequal? 26 When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, and dieth in them; for his iniquity that he hath done shall he die. 27 Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

Again, the soul is identified with the person. If the person lives, the soul lives. If the person dies, the soul dies. A soul is a living person with a body combined with the breath, or spirit from God.

Matt 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.

God will destroy both body and soul in hell. The soul is not immortal.

Matt 16: 25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

How can one lose their soul, if their soul is immortal? Where could it go to get away from them.

Acts 2: 27 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29 Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Christ was raised before His body saw corruption. Thus His soul was not left in hell, or the grave. He once again walked in the light of the living, that is, He became a living soul. This is our salvation. Our souls will not be left in the prison house of death, but we will once again be raised and receive the breath, or spirit of God in our spiritual bodies, and then we shall ever be with the Lord.

Acts 3: 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

Every soul that will not hear and accept Christ, will be destroyed.

1 Cor 15:45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46 Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. 51 Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

No mistake about when it is that we receive immortality. It is at the last trump, when the dead are raised incorruptible, and immortal. None of the above makes sense if the soul is immortal.

The soul needs saving, it is not immortal.

James 5:19-20 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

The soul needs to be saved from death, it is not immortal.

Rev 16: 3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea.

Souls can die. The souls of humans and animals can die. This is because a soul is a living being, not some form of disembodied spirit or ghost. Souls could not die if they were immortal.
Here are a few verses that contradict the belief that the spirit is a walking, talking entity that lives on and thinks without our minds.
The Hebrew word 'ruach' is used 377 times in the bible. Strongs Concordance #7306 Ruach=to blow or to breath air, breath, or spirit.
Ruach is translated in the bible 1) 177 times to mean 'wind or air' 2) 33 times to mean 'breath' 3) 227 times to mean 'spirit'.

Number 27:16 - Let the LORD, the God of the spirits of all FLESH, set a man over the congregation

Ecclesiastes 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

1 Kings 10:5 And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel, and his cupbearers, and his ascent by which he went up unto the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her.

Did she die? No.

This refers to the Queen of Sheba going to visit King Solomon and being flabbergasted at his wealth. This verse is simply stating that all of Solomon's wisdom and fortune took her breath away.

Job 27:3 All the while my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my NOSTRILS.

The phrase "breath of life" in Genesis 2:7 describes the creation of man. "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.". The breath of life was what turned man from a lifeless collection of matter into a living creature. Scripture gives us a simple equation for understanding the nature of humans:
Body (dust of the ground; the earth's elements) plus
Breath of life ("spirit" of life from God) equals
A living person (a soul).

Nowhere does the Bible speak of the soul as an immortal entity capable of living apart from our body. Neither does it speak of the spirit as an entity which can exist independent of our physical nature. We are not made of independent parts temporarily connected, but of body, soul, and spirit in one indivisible whole. Man was just the basic compounds that come from dust. and God breathed into his nostrils, and he became a thinking, feeling creature.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Relying a 17th century old english edited version of a 15th century bible translation to get words that may your point, seems a bit sketchy to me. As for Gen 1:7 all major translation including the NKJV use the word "being." The Ezekiel quote is mostly translated without the word "soul" but it does not matter because the context of the verse is about sinning. The soul of person does not sin. Only a person/being can sin.

“….The soul of person does not sin. Only a person/being can sin.”

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, ( body )

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 and can and has sinned

 

[biblestudent78]

Well, here is a good study by my buddy Amo on what is a soul that may make it clearer..
Gen 2:7 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.

When God united His breath, or spirit with man, man became a living soul. A living soul is composed of body and spirit.

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AV-breath 17, blast 3, spirit 2, inspiration 1, souls 1; 24

1) breath, spirit
1a) breath (of God)
1b) breath (of man)
1c) every breathing thing
1d) spirit (of man)

When one dies, their spirit goes back to God who gave it, at which point, one is no longer a living soul. This is why humanity is not immortal, and must receive the same from God as a gift of salvation.

Eccl 12:5..….. because man goeth to his long home, and the mourners go about the streets: 6 Or ever the silver cord be loosed, or the golden bowl be broken, or the pitcher be broken at the fountain, or the wheel broken at the cistern. 7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

When the dust returns to the earth, and the spirit back to God who gave it, there is no longer a living soul. If the soul were immortal, then the scriptures would not speak of living, or dying souls. Of course a soul would be living if souls were immortal, and of course they would never be spoken of as dying if they were immortal either. So why do the scriptures apply both to the soul?

Ps 6:2 Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am weak: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed. 3 My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long? 4 Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. 5 For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?

In the above, David seeks to have himself, that is his soul delivered from death, because in the grave there is no remembrance of God, and he cannot give God thanks from the grave. How is this possible if the soul is immortal? If the soul were alive and in heaven with God surely it would be praising Him. Or if it were in hell, surely it would be cursing Him.

Ps 7:1 O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy

5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honour in the dust. Selah.

Again what sense do the above verses make if a soul is not a living person, rather than some floating entity that lives apart from the body? Can a soul be torn to pieces? Will it end when ones life does? Yes it will.

Ps 30:2 O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. 3 O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

How can a soul go to the grave? If it is immortal and goes to heaven or hell at death it should not be spoken of as dying and going to the grave. If on the other hand, it is a living being, then it could be said that ones soul goes to the grave when they die, it is it’s end. When life ends, it ends.

Ps 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy; 19 To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. 21 For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name. 22 Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.

If our souls must be delivered from death, then they are not immortal. They are like us, they are us, when we are alive. When we are raised from the dead and given everlasting life, we will again be living souls.

Ps 40:13 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me: O LORD, make haste to help me. 14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

Who can destroy a soul if it is immortal? It is not. When life ends, it ends, because when one is alive, they are a living soul.

Ps 49:12 Nevertheless man being in honour abideth not: he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This their way is their folly: yet their posterity approve their sayings. Selah. 14 Like sheep they are laid in the grave; death shall feed on them; and the upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; and their beauty shall consume in the grave from their dwelling. 15 But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave: for he shall receive me. Selah.

Again the soul being associated with life, being redeemed from the grave. If it were immortal, this would not be so.

Ps 56:12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death:wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Again, when God delivers the soul from death, one can walk in the light of the living. Makes no sense if the soul is immortal.

Ps 78:49 He cast upon them the fierceness of his anger, wrath, and indignation, and trouble, by sending evil angels among them. 50 He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence; 51 And smote all the firstborn in Egypt; the chief of their strength in the tabernacles of Ham:

God spared not the Egyptians souls from death, but killed them by the plagues. Their souls died, that is, they died. Obviously their souls were not immortal.

Ps 86:1 Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy. 2 Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee. 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

Who needs their soul to be preserved if it is immortal?

Ps 89:47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain? 48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

Again, why wold a soul go to the grave at death if it is immortal and goes to heaven or hell at death? It is because the body goes into the grave at death, it is a dead soul, it is not living, because the body and the breath or spirit from God have separated.

Ps 116:7 Return unto thy rest, O my soul; for the LORD hath dealt bountifully with thee. 8 For thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes from tears, and my feet from falling. 9 I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.

Because his soul was delivered from death, he will walk before the Lord in the land of the living, he is a living soul.

Ps 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee; and let thy judgments help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments.

Makes no sense if the soul is immortal.

Isa 38:16 O Lord, by these things men live, and in all these things is the life of my spirit: so wilt thou recover me, and make me to live. 17 Behold, for peace I had great bitterness: but thou hast in love to my soul delivered it from the pit of corruption: for thou hast cast all my sins behind thy back. 18 For the grave cannot praise thee, death can not celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth. 19 The living, the living, he shall praise thee, as I do this day: the father to the children shall make known thy truth.

Because he was delivered from death, his soul was delivered from the pit of corruption, that is, the grave. The living, they are the ones who praise God. The dead cannot, because they are not living souls. All such nonsense if the soul is immortal.

Isa 53:10 Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

A prophecy concerning Christ. How can a soul be an offering? A sacrifice must die. If the soul is immortal, then it cannot be a sacrifice. Yet Christ poured out His soul unto death for our sins. He died the death we deserved, and when He did, He was no longer a living soul.

Ezek 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Is God a liar? If a soul is immortal it cannot die. God says the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

 

[biblestudent78]

Let's look at your dependence on your choice of translations. 10 of 12 translations of Gen 2:7 are being or person. The wanting to build on the language of the KJV use soul. 7 out of 10 for Ezekiel do not us soul. Spirit is not synonymous with soul. In the Bible, the term "spirit" (Hebrew: ruach, Greek: pneuma) is not always a synonym for itself, as its meaning shifts depending on context—ranging from breath/wind to the human spirit or the Spirit of God. While sometimes used as synonyms within a specific context, the Bible distinguishes between the human spirit and the Holy Spirit. The Bible often makes sharp distinctions, such as separating the human spirit from the Holy Spirit, or contrasting the spirit with the "flesh." In the Bible, the term "spirit" is often synonymous with other words depending on the context, but it primarily refers to an immaterial force, vital life, or divine presence. Because the original Hebrew and Greek words have multiple layers of meaning, "spirit" frequently functions as a synonym for breath, wind, or even the human soul.

However Hebrews 4:12 discusses the "division of soul and spirit" as separate aspects of the inner self.

 

[GWH]

The Bible discusses issues including this one rather inexactly,
but IMO the sufficient understanding is that body + spirit = soul/person/being.

 

[biblestudent78]

The Bible discusses issues including this one rather inexactly,
but IMO the sufficient understanding is that body + spirit = soul/person/being.

That is probably as close as we can get. What is important to me is to recognize the totality of each human being and the indivisibility of humans. We are not bodies carrying around souls. We are souls with bodies. One can not save one without the other. Jesus gave His whole self on the cross, body and spirit to bring salvation to whole humans, body and spirit.

 

[GWH]

That is probably as close as we can get. What is important to me is to recognize the totality of each human being and the indivisibility of humans. We are not bodies carrying around souls. We are souls with bodies. One can not save one without the other. Jesus gave His whole self on the cross, body and spirit to bring salvation to whole humans, body and spirit.

Yes, and even after death Paul describes us as having spiritual bodies (in 1Cor. 15).

 

[biblestudent78]

That is probably as close as we can get. What is important to me is to recognize the totality of each human being and the indivisibility of humans. We are not temporary worthless bodies carrying around divine souls. We are souls with bodies. One can not and should not attempt to save one without the other. Jesus gave His whole self on the cross, body and spirit to bring salvation to whole humans, body and spirit. Thus faith is what you do with your body just as much as it has to do with your spirit. Paul even envisions us getting "new bodies" at our resurrection.

My intention in starting a conversation about our souls is that I fear 21st century Christianity cares nothing about you as a fully integrated bein with all it's "worldly passion and needs." Instead, we want to pretend we can save your soul and thus you are free to do with your worthless, mortal and temporary body as you please, because you got your soul saved. Selling a "soul saving" business is easy breezy. No inconvenience required. Think right for 1 minute of your life and heaven is "guaranteed." If, in fact, we are one entity of indivisible body and spirit, our salvation "cost" is dramatically higher. It is a really difficult sale if you have to give your whole self to Jesus not just your thoughts/beliefs. Perhaps there is some kind of profound wisdom in the old Baptist preacher who once said, "That dancing foot and a praying leg don't grow on the same body." There is no more rare theology than one that merges faith with obedience into one whole human experience.

 

[GWH]

That is probably as close as we can get. What is important to me is to recognize the totality of each human being and the indivisibility of humans. We are not temporary worthless bodies carrying around divine souls. We are souls with bodies. One can not and should not attempt to save one without the other. Jesus gave His whole self on the cross, body and spirit to bring salvation to whole humans, body and spirit. Thus faith is what you do with your body just as much as it has to do with your spirit. Paul even envisions us getting "new bodies" at our resurrection.

My intention in starting a conversation about our souls is that I fear 21st century Christianity cares nothing about you as a fully integrated bein with all it's "worldly passion and needs." Instead, we want to pretend we can save your soul and thus you are free to do with your worthless, mortal and temporary body as you please, because you got your soul saved. Selling a "soul saving" business is easy breezy. No inconvenience required. Think right for 1 minute of your life and heaven is "guaranteed." If, in fact, we are one entity of indivisible body and spirit, our salvation "cost" is dramatically higher. It is a really difficult sale if you have to give your whole self to Jesus not just your thoughts/beliefs. Perhaps there is some kind of profound wisdom in the old Baptist preacher who once said, "That dancing foot and a praying leg don't grow on the same body." There is no more rare theology than one that merges faith with obedience into one whole human experience.

Your fear is a valid one, believed by 1st century gnostics.

 

[biblestudent78]

Your fear is a valid one, believed by 1st century gnostics.

The reincarnation of Paul in a "New Body" is not nostic. Ducking the text with a "Nostic" label is just obfuscation on the real issue. Are you who you are, or just a soul parading around about who you are?

 

[GWH]

The reincarnation of Paul in a "New Body" is not nostic. Ducking the text with a "Nostic" label is just obfuscation on the real issue. Are you who you are, or just a soul parading around about who you are?

Okay, then don't fear Gnosticism, but when one of you wins the discussion, let me know and we can continue by agreeing that
Paul's concept was NOT Gnostic.

 

[JustThinking]

“….The soul of person does not sin. Only a person/being can sin.”

“And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, ( body )

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 and can and has sinned

Please consider the following partial narrative found in my Daniel commentary:



In Genesis 2:7, we are given a clear and profound formula for how God created Adam as a living soul:

“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.”​

This verse reveals two essential components in the creation of humanity:

A – Dust from the ground (the physical body, with senses and the natural capacity for mind and consciousness)​

​

B – The breath of life (God’s Spirit / His holiness / His righteousness)​

There are only two components involved in making Adam: the dust of the earth and the divine breath of God. Nothing else. It is a simple equation: A + B = C, where C represents the living soul. This soul is not a third, separate entity that exists independently of A or B. If either component is removed, C ceases to exist. The soul does not fly away to another realm or continue to live in another form—it simply no longer is. Adam was a living soul only because the Spirit of God was placed by God into the dust.

Importantly, the “breath” that God breathed into Adam was not mere air or oxygen to jump-start a heartbeat. It was God’s Spirit, His righteousness, His holiness, His very presence.

This divine union is what set humanity apart from the rest of creation. It reflected God's image and likeness—not in biology, but in spiritual design and relational capacity. God placed His holiness within Adam. But when Adam disobeyed and sin entered the world, the consequence was not immediate physical death—but spiritual death. Adam was cast out of the Garden, not only physically removed from Eden but separated from God’s presence. The Spirit that once dwelled in him returned to its source, for there is no other place that can contain God’s holiness but God Himself. Adam had no holiness of his own—it was God's righteousness within him, and when that Spirit departed, he was left spiritually barren. This is the core of God’s plan of salvation: How will He place His righteousness—His Spirit—back into us so we can once again dwell in His presence?

Sin caused the divine-human relationship to fracture. Humanity lost its standing as “living souls” and became simply “living beings”—animated by breath, but lacking the indwelling Spirit of God. Every person born after Adam—born outside the Garden—is born into this condition: physically alive, but spiritually empty. This loss of spiritual life is precisely what happened to the Jews who rejected their Messiah. When they crucified Jesus, they rejected the One who came to restore the Spirit within them. In response, God allowed desolation to fall—not just upon their city or Temple—but upon their spiritual relationship with Him. For 2,000 years (the time of the Gentiles), this estrangement has remained in place. Yet God’s mercy did not end there. His plan of salvation, fulfilled in Jesus Christ, was always about restoring what was lost in Eden. Through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection, He made a way for us to be reconciled to God. Through faith in Christ, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, who now dwells within us and empowers us to live in righteousness—not by our strength, but by His.

The restoration of God's righteousness and Spirit within us is the only way to once again become a living soul—a being in true communion with God. This is not just a future promise but a present reality for every believer. And one day, when Christ returns, the full restoration will be complete: no longer just the Spirit dwelling in us, but we will dwell with Him—face to face, just as it was in Eden. Consequently, we do not have His Spirit, His holiness, or His righteousness within us. There is nothing innate in us—nothing spiritual—that continues on after we die. Our body returns to the dust from which it came, and without the Spirit of God, we cease to be living souls.

This is the tragic result of sin: spiritual separation from the Giver of life. In response, God established the Torah and its sacrificial system as a temporary measure of reconciliation between Himself and His people. These rituals were not an end in themselves, but a foreshadowing of the ultimate sacrifice—the one that Jesus would offer on the cross. His death brought about a once-and-for-all atonement, offering everlasting forgiveness and spiritual restoration to all who believe.

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, believers receive not only the assurance of God's presence but also the power to live transformed lives. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was God's symbolic act of breathing His Spirit back into humanity—the first step in restoring what was lost in Eden. It was the spiritual re-creation of man, already begun but not yet completed. This restoration must happen within us before we can dwell in God’s presence again. But the full consummation of this work—our complete return to holiness—will not take place until the second coming of Christ. God’s entire plan of salvation is aimed at one goal: to restore each person to the very state in which He originally created Adam—filled with His Spirit, clothed in His righteousness, and able to walk with Him once more. Just before Jesus died, He made a deeply meaningful statement. In Luke 23:46, we read:

"And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last."​

This final cry echoed David’s prayer in Psalm 31:5 and revealed a profound truth: Jesus had to release the Holy Spirit back to the Father. Having taken upon Himself the sin of the world, He could no longer retain the indwelling Spirit. Sin and the Holy Spirit cannot coexist. That Spirit, which had been given to Him at His baptism, returned to the Father at the cross. Yet on the day of His resurrection, the Spirit was restored to Him—symbolizing the victory of righteousness over death and sin. This act also served as a prophetic promise: at His second coming, God will once again breathe His Spirit fully into humanity, completing the restoration of His people. When He looks upon the redeemed at the end, He will not see sin—but rather His own righteousness covering them.

As Isaiah declared in Isaiah 61:10:

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."​

Righteousness or holiness cannot be attained on this side of heaven. No act of human kindness, no moral effort, no ritual obedience can reach the height of God's standard. Righteousness belongs solely to God, the lawgiver, and is revealed through His laws. If He chooses to impart His righteousness to us, it remains His righteousness, not ours—a gift, not a reward. No one can justify themselves before God by their own works. As Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 64:6:

"But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."​

Only the righteousness of Christ, not our own, will ever enter His kingdom. Salvation is not about becoming better people—it is about becoming new people, reborn by the Spirit and clothed in the holiness that only God can give.

 

[Pilgrimshope]

Please consider the following partial narrative found in my Daniel commentary:



elf the sin of the world, He could no longer retain the indwelling Spirit. Sin and the Holy Spirit cannot coexist. That Spirit, which had been given to Him at His baptism, returned to the Father at the cross. Yet on the day of His resurrection, the Spirit was restored to Him—symbolizing the victory of righteousness over death and sin. This act also served as a prophetic promise: at His second coming, God will once again breathe His Spirit fully into humanity, completing the restoration of His people. When He looks upon the redeemed at the end, He will not see sin—but rather His own righteousness covering them.

As Isaiah declared in Isaiah 61:10:

"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."​

Righteousness or holiness cannot be attained on this side of heaven. No act of human kindness, no moral effort, no ritual obedience can reach the height of God's standard. Righteousness belongs solely to God, the lawgiver, and is revealed through His laws. If He chooses to impart His righteousness to us, it remains His righteousness, not ours—a gift, not a reward. No one can justify themselves before God by their own works. As Isaiah reminds us in Isaiah 64:6:

"But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousness are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."​

Only the righteousness of Christ, not our own, will ever enter His kingdom. Salvation is not about becoming better people—it is about becoming new people, reborn by the Spirit and clothed in the holiness that only God can give.

“This soul is not a third, separate entity that exists independently of A or B.”

correct to here in my opinion. And well stated.

“It reflected God's image and likeness—not in biology, but in spiritual design and relational capacity. God placed His holiness within Adam. But when Adam disobeyed and sin entered the world, the consequence was not immediate physical death—but spiritual death.“

This i don’t agree with personally, just an opinion though. Throughout the ot mans spirit is referenced and never as dead ( that I’m aware of ) but always as active but rebellious or corrupt a disobedient spirit ….the spirit of man . I think you are onto the concept of man’s relationship with God being changed however being the issue

Think about what actually happened as a consequence biblically when they transgressed . He of course gave adam the result of “ all the days of your life you will toil until you return to the dist you were made from which is referencing adams death later on but more specifically , my point is Gods spirit was seperated from relationship to man who still has a spirit and body and is a living soul but now he doesn’t have Gods intimate personal presence with him anymore in the same was he did at creation before he sinned .

and then consider what we need to receive , in the New Testament ?

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


“Our body returns to the dust from which it came, and without the Spirit of God, we cease to be living souls.”

I would suggest this is what happens the moment of man’s death ( the opposite of creation )the two elements part ways the body is left in death and decay fulfilling the sentence of death but the spirit , still alive returns to God for judgement of what the living soul did in his body

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

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, ( body ) but after this the judgment:”( spirit )
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,( after we die once bodily ) so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

so when our body does our spirit returns to God who gave it which is what the resurrection is about

“But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

…it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

….And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;

the last Adam ( Jesus ) was made a quickening spirit.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy,( Adam the living soul )

we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. ( Jesus the life giving spirit)

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;( it dies ) neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:35, 44-45, 49-52‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So I think we’re seeing the equation dofferently I see body and spirit together become Adam the living soul

And at the death of his body , his spirit slept in waiting or was possibly waiting in Sheol . But wasn’t yet dead even as his body died and decayed and returned to the dust as one day his spirit would return to God who gave it to him from within himself that spark of life

But the ultimate Goal is for Gods children to become spiritual creations made for eternal life with him. Having certainly a body a better one than we have now made for lasting life. Not we aren’t being re created to be like we are now but like he is now after he died ……

“as we have borne the image of the earthy, ( past tense )


we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. “ ( future tense )


I’ve never read anything about man being spiritually dead but a lot about man’s contentious spirit and rebellious spirit that was contending with God through man’s flesh …..in the ot . Just never that it was dead

I enjoyed the read however it was well written and certainly some things I agree with . Great presentation

 

[JustThinking]

“This soul is not a third, separate entity that exists independently of A or B.”

correct to here in my opinion. And well stated.

“It reflected God's image and likeness—not in biology, but in spiritual design and relational capacity. God placed His holiness within Adam. But when Adam disobeyed and sin entered the world, the consequence was not immediate physical death—but spiritual death.“

This i don’t agree with personally, just an opinion though. Throughout the ot mans spirit is referenced and never as dead ( that I’m aware of ) but always as active but rebellious or corrupt a disobedient spirit ….the spirit of man . I think you are onto the concept of man’s relationship with God being changed however being the issue

Think about what actually happened as a consequence biblically when they transgressed . He of course gave adam the result of “ all the days of your life you will toil until you return to the dist you were made from which is referencing adams death later on but more specifically , my point is Gods spirit was seperated from relationship to man who still has a spirit and body and is a living soul but now he doesn’t have Gods intimate personal presence with him anymore in the same was he did at creation before he sinned .

and then consider what we need to receive , in the New Testament ?

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


“Our body returns to the dust from which it came, and without the Spirit of God, we cease to be living souls.”

I would suggest this is what happens the moment of man’s death ( the opposite of creation )the two elements part ways the body is left in death and decay fulfilling the sentence of death but the spirit , still alive returns to God for judgement of what the living soul did in his body

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

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, ( body ) but after this the judgment:”( spirit )
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,( after we die once bodily ) so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

so when our body does our spirit returns to God who gave it which is what the resurrection is about

“But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

…it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

….And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;

the last Adam ( Jesus ) was made a quickening spirit.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy,( Adam the living soul )

we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. ( Jesus the life giving spirit)

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;( it dies ) neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:35, 44-45, 49-52‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So I think we’re seeing the equation dofferently I see body and spirit together become Adam the living soul

And at the death of his body , his spirit slept in waiting or was possibly waiting in Sheol . But wasn’t yet dead even as his body died and decayed and returned to the dust as one day his spirit would return to God who gave it to him from within himself that spark of life

But the ultimate Goal is for Gods children to become spiritual creations made for eternal life with him. Having certainly a body a better one than we have now made for lasting life. Not we aren’t being re created to be like we are now but like he is now after he died ……

“as we have borne the image of the earthy, ( past tense )


we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. “ ( future tense )


I’ve never read anything about man being spiritually dead but a lot about man’s contentious spirit and rebellious spirit that was contending with God through man’s flesh …..in the ot . Just never that it was dead

I enjoyed the read however it was well written and certainly some things I agree with . Great presentation

Thank you very much for your kind words. I have to apologize, I am having a little difficulty reading / comprehending your response. Would you be so kind as to identify those interpretations you do not agree with along with your interpretation in a very separate manner? Hope you do not mind, and thanks.

 

[Burn1986]

The soul is the whole of a human being, its what makes you who you are, as no two persons are alike, not even twins. We may all have the same parts and look similar but each person has their own characteristics that make up their personality, their walk, their talk, how the smile and laugh. God knows each and everything of you down to the last hair, so at the resurrection He will recreate you pefectly, but without the defects of sin..

Oh yeah. That

 

[Gideon300]

The soul is the whole of a human being, its what makes you who you are, as no two persons are alike, not even twins. We may all have the same parts and look similar but each person has their own characteristics that make up their personality, their walk, their talk, how the smile and laugh. God knows each and everything of you down to the last hair, so at the resurrection He will recreate you pefectly, but without the defects of sin..

If that is so, then 1 Thessalonians 5:23 makes no sense.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

 

[GWH]

If that is so, then 1 Thessalonians 5:23 makes no sense.
"Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

Why not? Does it not confirm that body + spirit = soul as Gen. 2:7 indicates?

 

[biblestudent78]

“This soul is not a third, separate entity that exists independently of A or B.”

correct to here in my opinion. And well stated.

“It reflected God's image and likeness—not in biology, but in spiritual design and relational capacity. God placed His holiness within Adam. But when Adam disobeyed and sin entered the world, the consequence was not immediate physical death—but spiritual death.“

This i don’t agree with personally, just an opinion though. Throughout the ot mans spirit is referenced and never as dead ( that I’m aware of ) but always as active but rebellious or corrupt a disobedient spirit ….the spirit of man . I think you are onto the concept of man’s relationship with God being changed however being the issue

Think about what actually happened as a consequence biblically when they transgressed . He of course gave adam the result of “ all the days of your life you will toil until you return to the dist you were made from which is referencing adams death later on but more specifically , my point is Gods spirit was seperated from relationship to man who still has a spirit and body and is a living soul but now he doesn’t have Gods intimate personal presence with him anymore in the same was he did at creation before he sinned .

and then consider what we need to receive , in the New Testament ?

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


“Our body returns to the dust from which it came, and without the Spirit of God, we cease to be living souls.”

I would suggest this is what happens the moment of man’s death ( the opposite of creation )the two elements part ways the body is left in death and decay fulfilling the sentence of death but the spirit , still alive returns to God for judgement of what the living soul did in his body

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

“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, ( body ) but after this the judgment:”( spirit )
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭9:27‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ,( after we die once bodily ) so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:10‬ ‭NIV‬‬

so when our body does our spirit returns to God who gave it which is what the resurrection is about

“But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?

…it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

….And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul;

the last Adam ( Jesus ) was made a quickening spirit.

And as we have borne the image of the earthy,( Adam the living soul )

we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. ( Jesus the life giving spirit)

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God;( it dies ) neither doth corruption inherit incorruption.

Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.”
‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭15:35, 44-45, 49-52‬ ‭KJV‬‬

So I think we’re seeing the equation dofferently I see body and spirit together become Adam the living soul

And at the death of his body , his spirit slept in waiting or was possibly waiting in Sheol . But wasn’t yet dead even as his body died and decayed and returned to the dust as one day his spirit would return to God who gave it to him from within himself that spark of life

But the ultimate Goal is for Gods children to become spiritual creations made for eternal life with him. Having certainly a body a better one than we have now made for lasting life. Not we aren’t being re created to be like we are now but like he is now after he died ……

“as we have borne the image of the earthy, ( past tense )


we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. “ ( future tense )


I’ve never read anything about man being spiritually dead but a lot about man’s contentious spirit and rebellious spirit that was contending with God through man’s flesh …..in the ot . Just never that it was dead

I enjoyed the read however it was well written and certainly some things I agree with . Great presentation

I believe the passage indicates that at the resurrection we will be "given an imperishable body...which we currently do not have.

 

[God-fearing]

King David said...he restores my soul. The soul is the very core of our thoughts and emotions which desires to please the body.

Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.
The spirit is how we communicate with God and God with us. It battles with the soul.(flesh) .
The word of God is like oil to a lamp. It keeps it burning as long as its filled.

 

[Gideon300]

Why not? Does it not confirm that body + spirit = soul as Gen. 2:7 indicates?

Did you read the post I replied to?