Body, Soul, Spirit

A very important aspect of salvation is that God created man as a “trichotomous being”: 1) body; 2) soul; 3) spirit. Again, this was part of the knowledge of God, (in His great wisdom and omniscience), because God specifically designed mankind in this manner for the purpose of making Himself available to mankind in his lost state.

The reason I am including this lesson is specifically because there are those who believe man is NOT a trichotomous being.

Body, soul, spirit

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. 1 Thessalonians

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. Hebrews

I think it is responsible to say that the body is the physical body.

Both the soul, and the spirit are spiritual in nature, but they are two separate elements. In other words, both the spirit, and the soul are in the spiritual realm, but they serve two entirely different functions.

The soul is the inner man that is the spiritual representation of the physical man. For example, in Luke 16 the rich man had working senses, such as the ability to feel pain, and he experienced a hot and dry tongue. (Actually, it would be more correctly stated that the physical man is a representation of the soul.)

16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke

Hence, we know for certain that, the soul of the formerly rich man could sense the same things that he could experience in his physical body, while he was alive.

The next thing we need to consider is that a man can live physically while his soul is dead.

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. 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.

Ezekiel

2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. Genesis

God specifically told Adam that in the day that he would eat of the forbidden tree, he would die; in that same very day. We know that Adam did not die physically. We know that his death was of a spiritual nature. I submit that what died was according to the words of Ezekiel above … the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

There are many that believe that the soul and the spirit are actually one in the same; I submit they are not. Consider the following:

In Job we have a particular phrase used 5 times:

3:11 Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

Job

10:18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!

Job

11:20 But the eyes of the wicked shall fail, and they shall not escape, and their hope shall be as the giving up of the ghost.

Job

13:19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.

14:10 But man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?

Job

The phrase is, “give up the Ghost”. Now when we think of “ghosts” we think of “spirits” of some sort.

Each of the texts from Job above speak of the subject … dying physically. What then does this indicate? It indicates that the “ghost”, that is given up at physical death, is a necessary requirement for life. Once a person ‘gives up’ their “ghost”, they die physically.

When we go to the New Testament for this same subject (giving up the ghost) we see:

27:50 Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost. Matthew

The Greek word for “ghost” (in this text, and context) is πνεῦμα which means “breath”. Consider this:

3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:3:17 That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. 2 Timothy

The word “inspiration” above is rendered from the Greek θεόπνευστος; which is a compound word from θεος and πνεῦμα. The Greek θεοπνευστος literally means “God-breathed”, as in the Scriptures originated from the breath of God.

This means we now know the following:

God created Adam a body that had no breath.
God then breathed into that body His breath, (spirit) and it became a living soul. נפשׁnephesh (Hebrew) or ψυχή psuchē (Greek).
The day that Adam sinned he did not die physically, and he still had his breath, which is רוּח rûach (Hebrew) or πνεῦμα pneuma (Greek).
The day that Adam sinned, the ONLY part of him that could be dead was his “nephesh” soul. (Ez. 18:4, 18)
Adam lived physically for 935 years, which means that his ruach … pneuma … spirit continued to function all the days of his physical life.
The spirit is not just the matter we call “air”, but is an actual “spirit” given by God that A) keeps the body alive; and B) initially gave life to Adam’s soul.
Sin brings “death” ((separation from God) to the soul), but it does not bring death to the spirit of man.
Hence, the body, and the spirit both remain in tact until the spirit departs from the body.
Because the Spirit of God breathed into the physical man Adam, and he became a living soul, we know that the “spirit” is connected to both the spiritual realm, and the physical realm.

A closer look at the “spirit”.

9:23 Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech: Judges

7:22 All in whose nostrils was the breath of life, of all that was in the dry land, died. Genesis

The two words (evil) “spirit” and “breath” (of life) in the above two verse are both rendered from the Hebrew word “ruach”

(Strong’s H7307).

The context of Judges 9 is God fulfilling the prophecy of Jotham concerning the matter of the men of Shechem, and Abimelech. God brought an evil spirit between the above men, which works in the physical bodies of the same.

16:23 And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him. 1 Samuel

The above text shows that God sent an evil spirit upon Saul after Saul had rebelled against Him. The unique thing about this text is that it reveals how 1) the evil spirit affected Saul’s body; and 2) how the playing of music by David affected Saul’s body. This shows an absolute connection of the spiritual realm interacting with 1) the spirit of the man (Saul); and 2) physical body of Saul.

28:7 Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. 1 Samuel

33:6 And he caused his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom: also he observed times, and used enchantments, and used witchcraft, and dealt with a familiar spirit, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger. 2 Chronicles

In both of the texts above we see the phrase “familiar spirit”. The word “spirit” is rendered from the Hebrew אוב ôb. It is very clear that this “familiar spirit” was not the spirit of 1) a living person; or 2) a good being. God strictly forbade such practice.

5:16 There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one. Acts

8:7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. Acts

19:12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them. Acts

19:13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the LORD Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. Acts

In each of the above texts we see “evil spirits”, and in each of these texts, the English “spirit” is rendered from the Greek “pneuma”.

Additionally, in Hebrews we see:

1:13 But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?1:14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Hebrews

The word “spirits” in verse 14 is also rendered from the Greek pneuma. Hence, it is made clear that throughout the Scriptures we see there are spirit ‘beings’ (some good, and some evil) that are not souls; but they interact with the spirit of people, to affect them either negatively (evil spirits … devils), or positively (good spirits … angels).

As saved people submit to the Holy Spirit to be guided by Him, people submit either knowingly, or unknowingly to evil spirits to be guided by them.

It is quite clear that there are various “spirits” in Scripture. The Scriptures are also clear that the spirit of man is that part of a man that has interaction with the spiritual realm; whether it be for good, or evil.

The remaining question then is whether or not God has access to the spirit of the lost. Once again, the Scriptures hold the answers.

20:3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man’s wife. Genesis

Dreams are thoughts, and not part of the physical body. But this text clearly states that “God came to Abimelech in a dream … “.

4:34 And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation:4:35 And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?4:36 At the same time my reason returned unto me; and for the glory of my kingdom, mine honour and brightness returned unto me; and my counsellors and my lords sought unto me; and I was established in my kingdom, and excellent majesty was added unto me.4:37 Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase.

Daniel

In the above passage Nebuchadnezzar was humbled before God, and in the end of being humbled glorified the God of heaven.

2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Acts

Here in Acts 2 Peter is preaching to lost Israelites, and they, after being “pricked in their heart” asked, “What shall we do”?

2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts

God can, and does work through the spirit of men to bring the Gospel to him.

1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;1:19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.1:20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:1:21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Romans

This text completely relies on God using the spirit of man to reveal Himself to man. While the soul of the lost is indeed dead (judicially separated from God … (we will discuss this in greater detail in this study)) because of sin, the spirit of man remains in tact to function as designed by our Creator God, in the eternal realm, prior to the creation.