The writer of the book of Hebrews wrote:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.—Hebrews 4:12 (NASB95)
That tells me that if I want to learn something about the soul and how it differs from the spirit, I should open my Bible instead of consulting the dictionary. Here are some things I found when trying to better understand soul.
The Hebrew word for soul is often translated with a personal pronoun: I, my, myself, you, yourself, anyone, them, themselves, etc.
In both Old and New Testaments soul is often translated life. This is different than spirit, which is breath or life essence. Soul seems to be more the essence of being.
In the creation sequence (Genesis 1) and in the instruction following the flood (Genesis 9), living creatures were literally living souls, and that includes bugs, birds, beasts and fish.
Next, consider Genesis 2:7.
Consider also Leviticus 17:11, an explanation following a prohibition of eating blood:
I’m not sure that it means that the soul is literally in our blood any more than we think that our emotions are literally in our hearts. Yet, there is a connection between soul and blood!
The soul…
The soul is the essence of our human being describing our identity. It incorporates our will, intent, desire. The soul is that part of our being that chooses.
In Colossians 3:23 the Apostle Paul wrote:
The Hebrew word for soul is often translated with a personal pronoun: I, my, myself, you, yourself, anyone, them, themselves, etc.
In both Old and New Testaments soul is often translated life. This is different than spirit, which is breath or life essence. Soul seems to be more the essence of being.
In the creation sequence (Genesis 1) and in the instruction following the flood (Genesis 9), living creatures were literally living souls, and that includes bugs, birds, beasts and fish.
Next, consider Genesis 2:7.
Then the Lord God formed man of dust from the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.Literally, “man became a living soul.”
Consider also Leviticus 17:11, an explanation following a prohibition of eating blood:
For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.Literally, “the soul of the flesh is in the blood” and “it is the blood by reason of the soul that makes atonement.”
I’m not sure that it means that the soul is literally in our blood any more than we think that our emotions are literally in our hearts. Yet, there is a connection between soul and blood!
The soul…
- Experiences bitterness;
- Is knit to another in love;
- Can be troubled, grieved, tormented;
- Gains knowledge and understanding through life’s experiences;
- Has appetite and hunger not associated with the physical body, i.e., good desires and evil desires (lust);
- Rejects and abhors things;
- Can sin, swear, act unfaithfully;
- Bears guilt and receives punishment;
- Can also be purified and saved for eternity.
The soul is the essence of our human being describing our identity. It incorporates our will, intent, desire. The soul is that part of our being that chooses.
In Colossians 3:23 the Apostle Paul wrote:
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.Heartily is literally, from the soul.
God desires your love from the very essence of your being. It is love by choice. It is intentional love. It is love that is resolute, determined, and unwavering. It is by your will that you love.
Jesus said,
Love the Lord your God with all your soul.Mark Stinnett
April 4, 2021
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