1 Thessalonians 5 23 24 Spirit and Soul

(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)