[Biblemat] Soul and Spirit (question/answer)

[Don Martin]

Hello Gerdine,

Thank you so much for your question and for making use of Bible Questions.
Please do so again. http://www.biblequestions.org  Please check out Bible
Truths http://www.bibletruths.net  Go to the archives section of these sites
for material and also go to the archives search page and type in any subject
or word you wish to explore. New material is constantly being added to both
sites. Any help you can give us in telling others of these sites will be
greatly appreciated.

If you are interested in really learning more about the Bible, there is an
online Bible study course located in Bible Truths. While on the home page,
scroll down and enter.  While on the Map Site Page, click on "Online Bible
Study Course" in the table.  Click on http://www.bibletruths.net to go
there.

You asked:

What is the difference between the soul and the spirit of a person?

Reply:

"Soul" is derived from the Greek psuche. Psuche has a number of nuances or
"meanings." Some of the more common are: the natural life of the body (Matt.
2: 20), the invisible part of man (Matt. 10: 28), the seat of personality
(Lk. 9: 24), and the seat of will and purpose (Matt. 22: 37), etc.

     Sometimes "soul" is used as a synonym for "spirit" (Matt. 10: 28).
However, there can be a difference between "soul" and "spirit" (I Thes. 5:
23). "Soul" (psuche) may simply refer to the life within "man" (psuche is
rendered "life" in Matthew 2: 20).

You are encouraged to read, "Death and the State of the Soul" in
www.bibletruths.net   This material goes into detail relative to sameness
and differences between the use of "soul" and "spirit" in the scriptures.
To read the material in full, enter through the door on the home page and
click on, "Archives and Index" in the directory.  When on the Archive page,
click on the letter "D."  Here is an excerpt from the article:

     "...I have inserted this lengthy 'definition' of 'soul' to illustrate
how misunderstandings have occurred and false doctrines are advanced in view
of a lack of understanding as to the range of 'soul' in the scriptures. For
instance, 'soul' is used in the sense of natural life ('a.Matt. 2: 20'). In
this vein, even animals have a soul (Gen. 1: 30, nephesh translated 'life'
is the Hebrew equivalent of the Greek psuche, 'soul'). In this sense, the
soul (natural life) can be destroyed (Matt. 2: 20). However, the 'soul'
cannot be destroyed by man in the sense of Matthew 10: 28 (see nuance "b").
Here 'soul' is used interchangeably with 'spirit.' Notice some subtle
differences between 'soul' and 'spirit.....'"

Thanks again for your good question and for your interest in spiritual
matters. I recommend that you print out this email for future reference (web
addresses, etc.). You may print out any material you desire in both Bible
Questions and Bible Truths (see the copyright provision at the bottom of the
home page in Bible Truths).

Cordially,
Don Martin