What is the difference between the soul and spirit of humanity?

[Jean Beck]

The soul and the spirit are the two primary immaterial parts ascribed to humanity in Scripture. Discerning the precise differences between the two can be confusing. The word spirit refers only to the immaterial facet of humanity. Human beings have a spirit, but we are not spirits. However, in Scripture, only believers are said to be spiritually alive.  1  Corinthians 2:11

Edited October 17, 2024 by Jean Beck
Left something out

[glff]

4 hours ago, Jean Beck said:

The soul and the spirit are the two primary immaterial parts ascribed to humanity in Scripture. Discerning the precise differences between the two can be confusing. The word spirit refers only to the immaterial facet of humanity. Human beings have a spirit, but we are not spirits. However, in Scripture, only believers are said to be spiritually alive.  1  Corinthians 2:11

See the topic: God is Spirit

[Biblican]

From a study I did on the Trinity, I learned that the spirit is the life force of anyone and the soul is the actual person. God has ordained the spirit to operate with the soul, and they are one, even though they are two distinct elements. They are only separated at death. This is why it is so important to have the Holy Spirit unified with our souls through Jesus, because our spirits were never designed to transport the soul into heaven after the death of the body.

[BornAgain490]

We are all souls that occupy a physical vessel. Our spirit was given us at creation, when we were made in the image of God and after His likeness.  Because of sin, our spirit is dead until God regenerates our dead spirit, which is our rebirth.  When our physical vessel dies, our soul and spirit returns to God until we are given incorruptible glorified bodies. 

Edited October 17, 2024 by BornAgain490

[Jean Beck]

We are new creations when we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior.

[glff]

Scripture tells us that we're made in the Lord's image and after his likeness.

In 1 Jn 5:7: For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.

Scripture also tells us that we have a body, a soul, and a spirit. It also tells us that our bodies are made up of flesh, blood, and bone.  If our bodies have three component parts then so also should our souls and spirits. I suspect that our soul's component parts are intellect, emotions, and violation.  And our spirits are composed of conscience, intuition, and the Holy Spirit in those who are complete, such as Adam before his fall and in the born again believer.  I wonder if that's not where we get 666 for the number of a man. Rev 13: 18: Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.

From this, I imagine that Jesus compares to our bodies, being the outward expression of the Lord, by whom, all things were made and who holds all things together by the word of his power.  The Holy Spirit compares to our spirits, and the Father compares to our souls.  The Word of God; who like the Holy Spirit and the Father, is eternal, self-aware, and infinite. Jn 14: 9: Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? And of the Holy Spirit, Jesus tells us in Jn 16: 13: Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.  Thus we are temporal, finite, and self-aware individuals patterned after an infinite Lord God Almighty.

By this, the Lord isn't just three seperate beings united in agreement, but he is a single being as described in Deut 6: 4: Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: and at the same time, he is described in 1 Jn 5:7 above; For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.

Based upon the above let me go even further out on a limb, and say: As Jesus is one with the Father, so we'll be one with the Lord, as per Jn 17: 21-23: That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.

[Jedi4Yahweh]

I agree that spirit and soul are separate parts of Man.

For the word of God [is] living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. - Heb 4:12 

My understanding of the soul it is the mind/soul (will/desires/emotions) (nehfesh).   The spirit (ruach) is our conscience that guides us.  Sometimes we choose to follow our conscience sometimes we go against our conscience.  God communicates to use primarily though our spirit.  When we are born again, it is the spirit that is reborn in man because the old spirit was corrupted by sin.   A spiritual man is one that follows his born again spirit that has the Holy Spirit dwelling.  A carnal man is one that ignores his spirit but chooses to follow the desires of his body. (flesh).  God's word is what helps us distinguish what is of the spirit and what is of the soulish flesh.

 

Edited October 20, 2024 by Jedi4Yahweh