Spirit, Soul and Body
The whole passage of scripture containing these words is 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and reads, “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and I pray God your whole spirit, soul and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
The word ‘sanctify’ used by Paul is a translation of the Greek word ‘hagiago’. This word basically means to separate (self) in the experience of everyday existence. This separation is from natural or fleshly ways to spiritual and divine ways.
This Greek word is also translated by the word holy 161 times and is also translated in the Lord’s prayer, in the phrase “Hallowed be Thy name”.
In his closing prayer, the apostle Paul reveals his concern for the sanctification of the brethren in Thessalonica, and that it should be “wholly” or comprehensive.
The apostle Peter likewise reminded his readers of the need for keeping themselves separate from worldly desires: “as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves, according to the former lusts in your ignorance, but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy, in all manner of conversation, because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16).
Spirit, soul and body
In trying to define what Paul had in mind when he used those terms, we should first go to the record of the creation of man, “And the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and man became a living soul” (Genesis 2:7). We can see by this that man was formed from the dust of the ground which constitutes the body, the material basis for his body. This body was wonderfully provided with innumerable organs which functioned when he had life. This life can be equated with the term ‘spirit’ which Paul used when the body is given life.
Applying these definitions to what Paul wrote, ‘one’s spirit’ means the manifestation of the life which needs to be guided consciously in ways according to God’s will. This characteristic is called ‘holiness’, without which no man shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).
Where the sanctification of the body is concerned, the desires of the flesh have to be controlled. The lusts of the flesh, which are opposed to God’s laws, are said to be unholy. In sexual relationships the body is involved; this applies in the case of marriage. When God created the first human pair male and female, it was intended that their union should provide for the continuation of the human race. Sexual activity outside marriage must be avoided by faithful disciples. As Paul writes, “Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: whoremongers and adulterers God will judge” (Hebrews 13:4).
The soul is not immortal
Before concluding this study, we ought to challenge the popular belief that the soul is immortal. Invariably, at any orthodox church funeral service, a clergyman will say (as I have heard myself), “Don’t worry, old chap, her soul has gone to heaven”, or words to that effect. Such an idea is not found in scripture, rather the reverse. Here are a few instances: “Put not your trust in princes ... in whom there is no help. His breath goeth forth, he returneth to the earth; and in that very day his thoughts perish” (Psalm 146:3,4); “For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more reward; for the memory of them is forgotten” (Ecclesiastes 9:5,6); “Behold, all souls are mine ... the soul that sinneth it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4). Therefore, the soul cannot be immortal.
When Jesus comes again, he will raise the dead and judge those who are responsible and reward the faithful; with eternal life, because they have been found blameless.
Bro Ralph Green (Torquay, UK
