How does the Immortal Soul fit in with the coming Resurrection?
- Thread starter Daring
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The concept of the immortal soul and the resurrection of the body can seem contradictory at first, but many Christian traditions reconcile them like this:
Resurrection vs. Rapture — What’s the difference?
They seem to happen almost simultaneously in some passages, especially in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17. But here's a distinction:
Resurrection Rapture
Refers to the raising of the dead in Christ Refers to the catching up (Greek: harpazo) of living believers
Involves transformation of the dead Involves transformation of the living
Happens first (1 Thess. 4:16) Happens immediately after (1 Thess. 4:17)
Emphasizes victory over death Emphasizes gathering to Christ
So, the resurrection is for those who have died in Christ, and the rapture is for those still alive at His coming. Both groups receive glorified bodies and meet the Lord together.
1Cor 15:35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?"
1Cor 15:36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies;
1Cor 15:37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else.
1Cor 15:38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own.
1Cor 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish.
1Cor 15:40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.
1Cor 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
1Cor 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
1Cor 15:43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
1Cor 15:44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
1Cor 15:45 So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1Cor 15:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
1Cor 15:47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.
1Cor 15:48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.
1Cor 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.
- The soul is conscious after death: According to passages like Luke 16:19–31 (the rich man and Lazarus) and Philippians 1:23, the soul continues to exist after death—either in comfort or torment—awaiting the resurrection.
- The resurrection reunites soul and body: At the resurrection (e.g., 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, 1 Corinthians 15), the soul is reunited with a glorified, incorruptible body. This is not a mere reanimation of the old body, but a transformation.
Does “resurrect” mean to switch bodies?
Not exactly a “switch,” but more like a transformation or reconstitution:- 1 Corinthians 15:42–44 says the body is “sown in corruption, raised in incorruption.” It’s the same person, but the body is glorified—like a seed becoming a plant.
- Philippians 3:21 says Christ “will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.”
Resurrection vs. Rapture — What’s the difference?
They seem to happen almost simultaneously in some passages, especially in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17. But here's a distinction:
Resurrection Rapture
Refers to the raising of the dead in Christ Refers to the catching up (Greek: harpazo) of living believers
Involves transformation of the dead Involves transformation of the living
Happens first (1 Thess. 4:16) Happens immediately after (1 Thess. 4:17)
Emphasizes victory over death Emphasizes gathering to Christ
So, the resurrection is for those who have died in Christ, and the rapture is for those still alive at His coming. Both groups receive glorified bodies and meet the Lord together.
1Cor 15:35 But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?"
1Cor 15:36 You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies;
1Cor 15:37 and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else.
1Cor 15:38 But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own.
1Cor 15:39 All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish.
1Cor 15:40 There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another.
1Cor 15:41 There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory.
1Cor 15:42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;
1Cor 15:43 it is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power;
1Cor 15:44 it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body.
1Cor 15:45 So also it is written, "The first MAN, Adam, BECAME A LIVING SOUL." The last Adam became a life-giving spirit.
1Cor 15:46 However, the spiritual is not first, but the natural; then the spiritual.
1Cor 15:47 The first man is from the earth, earthy; the second man is from heaven.
1Cor 15:48 As is the earthy, so also are those who are earthy; and as is the heavenly, so also are those who are heavenly.
1Cor 15:49 Just as we have borne the image of the earthy, we will also bear the image of the heavenly.
Daring
Member
So, Hell isn't HOT?
B-A-C
Loyal
Perhaps.. not "as" hot.
Luke 16:23 "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
Mark 9:43 "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,
Luke 16:23 "In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and *saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
Luke 16:24 "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.'
Mark 9:43 "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,
Daring
Member
Mistranslation of the KJV. It is NOT hell!
B-A-C
Loyal
B-A-C
Loyal
Almost every translation, translates it the same... literally valley of Hinnom, but metaphorically hell or hades.
Mark 9:43
(AMPC) And if your hand puts a stumbling block before you and causes you to sin, cut it off! It is more profitable and wholesome for you to go into life [that is really worthwhile] maimed than with two hands to go to hell (Gehenna), into the fire that cannot be put out.
(AMPC+) And if your hand puts a stumbling block before you and causes you to sin, cut it off! It is more profitable and wholesome for you to go into life [N1that is really worthwhile] maimed than with two hands to go to hell (Gehenna), into the fire that cannot be put out.N2
(ASV) And if thy hand cause thee to stumble, cut it off: it is good for thee to enter into life maimed, rather than having thy two hands to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
(BSB) If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two hands and go into hell, into the unquenchable fire.
(CSB) “And if your hand causes you to fall away, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell, the unquenchable fire.
(ESV) And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
(ESV+) R14And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to R15hell,N1 to R16the unquenchable fire.N2
(Greek NT INT+)
και
G2532
CONJ
καί
and
εαν
G1437
COND
ἐάν
in case that
σκανδαλιζη
G4624
V-PAS-3S
σκανδαλίζω
to entrap
σε
G4571
P-2AS
σύ
thee
η
G3588
T-NSF
ὁ
the
χειρ
G5495
N-NSF
χείρ
the hand
σου
G4675
P-2GS
σύ
of thee
αποκοψον
G609
V-AAM-2S
ἀποκόπτω
to amputate
αυτην
G846
P-ASF
αὐτός
he, she, it
καλον
G2570
A-NSN
καλός
beautiful, good
σοι
G4671
P-2DS
σύ
to thee
τσβ
εστιν
G2076
V-PXI-3S
εἰμί
he is
σε
G4571
P-2AS
σύ
thee
να
κυλλον
G2948
A-ASM
κυλλός
rocking about
εισελθειν
G1525
V-2AAN
εἰσέρχομαι
to enter
να
εις
G1519
PREP
εἰς
to
την
G3588
T-ASF
ὁ
the
ζωην
G2222
N-ASF
ζωή
life
εισελθειν
G1525
V-2AAN
εἰσέρχομαι
to enter
τσβ
η
G2228
PRT
ἤ
or, than
τας
G3588
T-APF
ὁ
the
δυο
G1417
A-NUI
δύο
two
χειρας
G5495
N-APF
χείρ
the hand
εχοντα
G2192
V-PAP-ASM
ἔχω
to hold
απελθειν
G565
V-2AAN
ἀπέρχομαι
to go off
εις
G1519
PREP
εἰς
to
την
G3588
T-ASF
ὁ
the
γεενναν
G1067
N-ASF
γέεννα
valley of Hinnom
εις
G1519
PREP
εἰς
to
το
G3588
T-ASN
ὁ
the
πυρ
G4442
N-ASN
πῦρ
fire
το
G3588
T-ASN
ὁ
the
ασβεστον
G762
A-ASN
ἄσβεστος
not extinguished
(HCSB) And if your hand causes your downfall, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and go to hell—the unquenchable fire,
(KJV) And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
(KJV+) AndG2532 ifG1437 thyG4675 handG5495 offendG4624 thee,G4571 cut it off:G609 G846 it isG2076 betterG2570 for theeG4671 to enterG1525 intoG1519 lifeG2222 maimed,G2948 thanG2228 havingG2192 twoG1417 handsG5495 to goG565 intoG1519 hell,G1067 intoG1519 theG3588 fireG4442 that never shall be quenched:G762
(MKJV) And if your hand offends you, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed than to have two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched
(NAS77) "And if your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,
(NAS95) "If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life crippled, than, having your two hands, to go into hell, into the unquenchable fire,
(NAS95+) "R1IfG1437 your handG5495 causesG4624 you to stumbleG4624, cutG609 it offG609; it is betterG2570 for you to enterG1525 lifeG2222 crippledG2948, thanG2228, havingG2192 your twoG1417 handsG5495, to goG565 into N1 R2hellG1067, into the R3unquenchableG762 fireG4442,
(NIrV) "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It would be better for you to enter God's kingdom with only one hand than to go into hell with two hands. In hell the fire never goes out.
(NIV) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.
(NKJV) If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched—
(NLT) If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands.
(NRSV) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
(NRSVA) If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off; it is better for you to enter life maimed than to have two hands and to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire.
B-A-C
Loyal
What is the Valley of Hinnom?
Geographically, it's a real valley located just south of Jerusalem.
Historically, it was associated with idolatrous practices, including child sacrifices to Molech (see Jeremiah 7:31, 2 Kings 23:10).
Because of these horrific acts, it became a symbol of judgment and defilement.
From Gehenna to Hell
In the New Testament, the Greek word "Gehenna" is used 12 times, mostly by Jesus (e.g., Matthew 5:22, Mark 9:43). Gehenna is a transliteration of the Hebrew Ge Hinnom.
By Jesus’ time, Gehenna had become a metaphor for final judgment and eternal punishment.
Rabbinic literature also used Gehenna as a symbolic place of postmortem punishment.
Why Translated as "Hell"?
Most English translations render Gehenna as "hell" because:
Contextual Meaning: Jesus used it to describe a place of fiery judgment, not just a physical location.
Theological Equivalence: Translators often equated Gehenna with the lake of fire or eternal damnation described in Revelation.
Simplification: "Hell" is a familiar term to English readers, even though it can conflate different concepts like:
Sheol (Hebrew: the grave or abode of the dead)
Hades (Greek: the underworld)
Gehenna (place of judgment)
Tartarus (used once in 2 Peter 2:4 for fallen angels)
Should It Be Translated That Way?
Many scholars argue that translating Gehenna as "hell" can be misleading, because:
It blurs distinctions between different biblical concepts of the afterlife.
It imports medieval imagery (like Dante’s Inferno) that may not reflect the original Jewish or early Christian understanding.
Some modern translations (like the Complete Jewish Bible or Young’s Literal Translation) preserve the word Gehenna to maintain clarity.
Geographically, it's a real valley located just south of Jerusalem.
Historically, it was associated with idolatrous practices, including child sacrifices to Molech (see Jeremiah 7:31, 2 Kings 23:10).
Because of these horrific acts, it became a symbol of judgment and defilement.
From Gehenna to Hell
In the New Testament, the Greek word "Gehenna" is used 12 times, mostly by Jesus (e.g., Matthew 5:22, Mark 9:43). Gehenna is a transliteration of the Hebrew Ge Hinnom.
By Jesus’ time, Gehenna had become a metaphor for final judgment and eternal punishment.
Rabbinic literature also used Gehenna as a symbolic place of postmortem punishment.
Why Translated as "Hell"?
Most English translations render Gehenna as "hell" because:
Contextual Meaning: Jesus used it to describe a place of fiery judgment, not just a physical location.
Theological Equivalence: Translators often equated Gehenna with the lake of fire or eternal damnation described in Revelation.
Simplification: "Hell" is a familiar term to English readers, even though it can conflate different concepts like:
Sheol (Hebrew: the grave or abode of the dead)
Hades (Greek: the underworld)
Gehenna (place of judgment)
Tartarus (used once in 2 Peter 2:4 for fallen angels)
Should It Be Translated That Way?
Many scholars argue that translating Gehenna as "hell" can be misleading, because:
It blurs distinctions between different biblical concepts of the afterlife.
It imports medieval imagery (like Dante’s Inferno) that may not reflect the original Jewish or early Christian understanding.
Some modern translations (like the Complete Jewish Bible or Young’s Literal Translation) preserve the word Gehenna to maintain clarity.
Daring
Member
He used it to reveal the folly of their teaching.
The day of resurrection was not yet.
They taught that wealth showed God's blessing, and that poverty was the lowest of life.
Then he had them put into their own dogma!
Daring
Member
You mix Greek religion with the Bible.