I always heard growing up the terms “spirit” and “soul” used as if they were synonymous. (Two different words that had the same meaning). But according to 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the spirit and the soul are two totally different things. This verse shows that man was created with three distinct parts: spirit, soul, and body.

1 Thessalonians 5:23

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

These parts are listed in a specific order. The first part is the spirit, then the soul, and then the body. On the outside, we have a body, but on the inside is the spirit. In between these two is the soul. 

Hebrews 4:12 also describes the parts of man:

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living, and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and quick to discern the thoughts and intents of the heart.

In Mary’s song in Luke 1:46-47, it states:

Luke 1:46-47

⁴⁶ And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, ⁴⁷ and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

She did these two things with two different organs – her spirit and her soul.

Even the Apostle Paul in the epistle to the Philippians hoped to hear that they were standing fast in one spirit and striving for the faith of the gospel with one soul.

Philippians 1:27

²⁷ Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ: that, whether I come and see you or be absent, I may hear of your state, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one soul striving for the faith of the gospel

So as you can see, man consists of three parts.

Also, Genesis 2:7 describes God’s divine order in creating the parts of man.

Genesis 2:7 

And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

a) God formed man from the dust of the ground (body);

b) breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and

c) man became a living (soul)

God first formed the human body (man’s frame). 

1 Corinthians 15:47a

The first man is of the earth, earthy;

The man was formed from the dust of the ground. He came from the earth; he is earthy. Earth was to be his dwelling place. God gave him five senses to communicate with the external world around him: sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste.

The body is the lowest part of man because of its connection with the earthly. Although the body is the lowest part of man, it has the exalted privilege of being the home of the spirit and the only outlet to the world of sense. The body can be considered as the port city of the human personality.

After forming the man, God breathed the breath of life into his nostrils. This breath that came directly from God became the human spirit. God declares in Proverbs 20:27 what the human spirit is:

Proverbs 20:27

The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord, searching all the inner depths of his heart.

With the spirit, man could have a relationship with the spiritual, unseen world. It is here he was to have fellowship with God. Man can love, apprehend and worship God through the spirit.

A. T. Pierson says, “The spirit receives impressions of outward and material things through the soul and the body, but it belongs itself to a higher level and realm, and is capable of a direct knowledge of God by relation to its own higher senses and faculties. In an unfallen state it was like a lofty observatory with an outlook upon a celestial firmament” (The Bible and Spiritual Life, p.116).

“The spirit is the capital city of the human personality.” “Life on the Highest Plane” by Ruth Paxson.

After God breathed into the man’s nostrils–

Genesis 2:7 

… and man became a living soul.

The Creation of the Human Soul

to be continued

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;  Psalm 139:14

In Him,

Marion