(1 Thessalonians 5:23-24)

“Spirit” and “Soul” have Various Meanings in

Scripture“Soul”

• The HEBREW word is “nephesh.” It refers to:• Animal life (Genesis 1:20-21) • A person (Numbers 31:19)• The body (Numbers 6:6)

• The GREEK word is “psuche.” It may refer to:• Persons or individuals (1 Peter 3:20)• Life itself (John 13:38)• That which exists after the body is killed

(Matthew 10:28)

“Spirit” and “Soul” have Various Meanings in

Scripture“Spirit”

• The HEBREW word is “ruach.” It refers to:• Storms and wind (Genesis 8:1)• The life of breathing creatures (Genesis 6:17)• Breath itself (Job 9:18)• A non-fleshly intelligent being (1 Kings 22:21-22) • A disposition or attitude (Ecclesiastes 7:8-9;

Numbers 14:24; Ezekiel 18:31)

“Spirit” and “Soul” have Various Meanings in

Scripture“Spirit”

• The GREEK word is “pneuma.” It may refer to:• The wind (John 3:8)• Breath (2 Thessalonians 2:8)• The Holy Spirit (John 1:32) • Unclean spirits or demons (Matt. 8:16; Luke 4:33)• Angels (Hebrews 1:13-14)• Character and moral qualities (1 Peter 3:4) • Purpose or aim (2 Cor. 12:18; Philippians 1:27)

Spirit and Soul CAN Refer to the SAME Aspect of

Man• The soul/spirit is capable of desiring God (Isaiah 26:9)• The soul/spirit is the part of us that truly knows us

(1 Cor. 2:11; Proverbs 20:27; 1 John 3:20; Psalm 139:14)• The soul/spirit experiences emotion

(Psalm 35:9, 12; 1 Samuel 1:15; Luke 1:47)• The soul/spirit struggles against temptation

(Mark 14:38; 1 Peter 2:11)• The soul/spirit of man leaves the body at death

(Genesis 35:18; James 2:26; Ecclesiastes 12:7)• The soul/spirit of man can be saved

(1 Corinthians 5:5; 1 Peter 1:9; James 1:21)

Differences Between the SOUL and SPIRIT of Man

• It is possible, but difficult, to make a distinction between SOUL and SPIRIT (Hebrews 4:12)• The SPIRIT of man can be thought of as the

life force and the SOUL can be thought as the being or person. (Genesis 2:7; Psalm 146:4; Zechariah 12:1; Mark 14:34; Luke 12:19)•When SOUL & SPIRIT appear together in

Scripture, focus is being placed on that part of man which is not material. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Let us glorify God with our entire selves: Body, Soul & Spirit!• “For you were bought at a price; therefore

glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.” (1 Corinthians 6:20)• “Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my

soul!” (Psalm 146:1)