Is the human soul mortal or immortal?

[Dave M]

Without a doubt the human soul is immortal. This is clearly seen in many Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments: Psalm 22:26; 23:6; 49:7-9; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:46; and 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Daniel 12:2 says, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” Similarly, Jesus Himself said that the wicked “will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). With the same Greek word used to refer to both “punishment” and “life,” it is clear that both the wicked and the righteous have an eternal/immortal soul.

The unmistakable teaching of the Bible is that all people, whether they are saved or lost, will exist eternally, in either heaven or hell. True life or spiritual life does not cease when our fleshly bodies pass away in death. Our souls will live forever, either in the presence of God in heaven if we are saved, or in punishment in hell if we reject God’s gift of salvation. In fact, the promise of the Bible is that not only will our souls live forever, but also that our bodies will be resurrected. This hope of a bodily resurrection is at the very heart of the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

While all souls are immortal, it is important to remember that we are not eternal in the same way that God is. God is the only truly eternal being in that He alone is without a beginning or end. God has always existed and will always continue to exist. All other sentient creatures, whether they are human or angelic, are finite in that they had a beginning. While our souls will live forever once we come into being, the Bible does not support the concept that our souls have always existed. Our souls are immortal, as that is how God created them, but they did have a beginning; there was a time they did not exist.

Is the human soul mortal or immortal? | GotQuestions.org

Is the human soul mortal or immortal? Does every human being have an eternal soul? Or, do we receive eternal souls when God saves us?

www.gotquestions.org

 

[Hekuran]

I think got question has given a confusing answer here.

To get inside the Biblical understand of 'nephesh', the word translated as 'soul', try this video

Our problem is that our understanding of concepts is fundamentally skewed by ancient Greek philosophy, and doesn't reflect the Biblical authors worldview at all well.

 

[Sue D.]

Dave -- I misread that at 1st. I was reading it as is the human being mortal or immortal. Not the Soul. And, yes, Eternal punishment. Some people do not like the idea of eternal punishment.

But only the beast, false prophet and satan really HAVE to endure the lake of fire and brimstone forever. Everyone Else has the choice of heaven / the New Jerusalem. Both destinations Are forever.

Yes, the human soul Is immortal. It lives on Forever.

 

[Hekuran]

The Greek idea of the soul is of an immaterial immortal essence of a person that exists after death.

When the Hebrew bible authors say soul, they mean a living breathing being. Its very much physical.

Here's what Strongs has to say

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

 

[Dave M]

The Greek idea of the soul is of an immaterial immortal essence of a person that exists after death.

When the Hebrew bible authors say soul, they mean a living breathing being. Its very much physical.

Here's what Strongs has to say

Genesis 1:1 (NKJV)

what are your thoughts on the spirit then?

 

[Hekuran]

That's a really good question. I'm not an expert in this by any stretch, so feel free to check out my thoughts and disagree or sharpen up what I say.

Ruach is the Hebrew word usually translated spirit, and it literally means breath. The first appearance is in Genesis 1 as the Spirit of God hovers over the waters.

When applied to humans it seems to be mortal. Naturally our breath departs when we die.

But there's also the word elohim, which means spiritual being, and is usually translated God or god. And that is sometimes applied to humans, as in the story of Saul using a medium to consult Samuel 1 Samuel 28:13

So there are Biblical references to a spirit that exists after death, but it's not what the Old Testament normally means when we read 'spirit'.

All of this puts far more importance on the truly biblical hope of resurrection - our mortal bodies rise from the grave and are made imperishable.

Hope that's more helpful than confusing!

 

[Dave M]

here is a good article that I consider a good source. @Hekuran oyu definatley got me rethinking some of my old thoughts may not be entirely correct.

First, human beings consist of two parts: a material and immaterial part. Our body is the material and our spirit the immaterial. There is no third part. At times Scripture uses poetic language to describe human existence in terms beyond body and spirit, yet these instances were not intended to serve as literal descriptions of our existence.

For example, consider these passages:

1Th. 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Luke 10:27 And he answered, “YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND; AND YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.”
Mark 12:30 AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’
Heb. 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Notice in each case, that the writer describes human existence with a variety of terms yet each example uses different terms. If these descriptions were intended to be definitive descriptions of the human existence, then we would have to say Scripture conflicts in its descriptions. Obviously, Scripture doesn’t conflict with itself, and therefore we must understand these descriptions to be poetic ways of emphasizing the “all” of a person’s being. In the same way we might write, “I love you with every part of my being,” these writers were describing the “all" of a person by using a variety of terms in poetic fashion.

Therefore, we cannot use such passages to teach the makeup of a human being. When Scripture does teach on this point, it always emphasizes two parts: a physical body that returns to dust and an eternal spirit that will find its home either with God or away from God. The Bible never speaks about the eternal disposition of a third part.

Secondly, the Bible is utterly clear that when the body dies, the spirit of a person must dwell forever either with God (i.e., a believer) or away from God (i.e., an unbeliever). The sin of a person is found in our spirit (called a “dead” spirit), and the spirit’s sin nature causes the body to be unclean as well. For this reason, God’s plan of salvation requires that the spirit be put to death and a new spirit be born inside us (Jesus calls this being “born again”), and likewise our body must be put to death and replaced with a new one.

All believers have been given a new, perfect spirit from the moment of salvation, yet we continue to live in our old, sinful body. Paul explains that we continue to sin because our flesh leads our spirit into sin, yet we should not allow this to happen. We should resist the flesh and live in the spirit. For a more complete understanding of these important matters, please listen to our Romans Bible Study.

What is the connection between spirit, body and soul? | Verse By Verse Ministry International

What is the relationship between the spirit, body, and soul? Learn how Scripture poetically describes human existence, emphasizing the entirety of our being.

www.versebyverseministry.org

 

[Dave M]

Ecclesiastes 12:7
then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.

 

[Dave M]

Dave -- I misread that at 1st. I was reading it as is the human being mortal or immortal. Not the Soul. And, yes, Eternal punishment. Some people do not like the idea of eternal punishment.

But only the beast, false prophet and satan really HAVE to endure the lake of fire and brimstone forever. Everyone Else has the choice of heaven / the New Jerusalem. Both destinations Are forever.

Yes, the human soul Is immortal. It lives on Forever.

Sue is the soul the same thing as the spirit??

 

[Beresheet]

The soul=life and the spirit=intellect.

 

[Dave M]

The soul=life and the spirit=intellect.

thanks for the reply

do you have any scripture to back this up?

 

[Butch5]

Without a doubt the human soul is immortal. This is clearly seen in many Scriptures in both the Old and New Testaments: Psalm 22:26; 23:6; 49:7-9; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Daniel 12:2-3; Matthew 25:46; and 1 Corinthians 15:12-19. Daniel 12:2 says, “Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” Similarly, Jesus Himself said that the wicked “will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life” (Matthew 25:46). With the same Greek word used to refer to both “punishment” and “life,” it is clear that both the wicked and the righteous have an eternal/immortal soul.

The unmistakable teaching of the Bible is that all people, whether they are saved or lost, will exist eternally, in either heaven or hell. True life or spiritual life does not cease when our fleshly bodies pass away in death. Our souls will live forever, either in the presence of God in heaven if we are saved, or in punishment in hell if we reject God’s gift of salvation. In fact, the promise of the Bible is that not only will our souls live forever, but also that our bodies will be resurrected. This hope of a bodily resurrection is at the very heart of the Christian faith (1 Corinthians 15:12-19).

While all souls are immortal, it is important to remember that we are not eternal in the same way that God is. God is the only truly eternal being in that He alone is without a beginning or end. God has always existed and will always continue to exist. All other sentient creatures, whether they are human or angelic, are finite in that they had a beginning. While our souls will live forever once we come into being, the Bible does not support the concept that our souls have always existed. Our souls are immortal, as that is how God created them, but they did have a beginning; there was a time they did not exist.

Is the human soul mortal or immortal? | GotQuestions.org

Is the human soul mortal or immortal? Does every human being have an eternal soul? Or, do we receive eternal souls when God saves us?

www.gotquestions.org

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Tim. 6:14-16 KJV)

According to Paul, the Father alone has immortality.

 

[Sue D.]

Sue is the soul the same thing as the spirit??

I think it is.

There Are those who believe that there is the body, soul and spirit.

but I think they are the same thing.

 

[Sue D.]

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. (1 Tim. 6:14-16 KJV)

According to Paul, the Father alone has immortality.

As Dave pointed out -- God's immortality is different than ours. God is eternal -- God has always been -- we haven't. In eternity born-again believers will have a glorified body like Jesus Christ does.

 

[Butch5]

As Dave pointed out -- God's immortality is different than ours. God is eternal -- God has always been -- we haven't. In eternity born-again believers will have a glorified body like Jesus Christ does.

Paul said only the Father has immortality. There's nothing there about different kinds

 

[B-A-C]

1 Cor 15:13; But if there is no resurrection of the dead, not even Christ has been raised;
1 Cor 15:14; and if Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain.
1 Cor 15:15; Moreover we are even found to be false witnesses of God, because we testified against God that He raised Christ, whom He did not raise, if in fact the dead are not raised.
1 Cor 15:16; For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised;
1 Cor 15:17; and if Christ has not been raised, your faith is worthless; you are still in your sins.
1 Cor 15:18; Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished.
1 Cor 15:19; If we have hoped in Christ in this life only, we are of all men most to be pitied.
1 Cor 15:20; But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep.
1 Cor 15:21; For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead.
1 Cor 15:22; For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.

If there is no resurrection... then all our faith is in vain. Christianity is a hoax and even Jesus hasn't been resurrected.

John 11:26; and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Luke 20:36; for they cannot even die anymore, because they are like angels, and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection.

Matt 25:46; "These will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."
John 3:15; so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life.

There are over 70 verses in the New Testament that say we have everlasting, eternal, non-ending life.

1 Jn 2:17; The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who does the will of God lives forever.

 

[Beresheet]

I don’t have any scriptures to back up the spirit is the intellect of the soul. I get it just from reasoning

The flesh body has a brain which is the intellect of the flesh body. The soul has a spirit which is the intellect of the soul. No big deal with this, a body regardless of make up will have an intellect to govern it.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Sue is the soul the same thing as the spirit??

I think it is.

There Are those who believe that there is the body, soul and spirit.

but I think they are the same thing.

My understanding is as follows, I may not be absolutely correct but I think it is close...

God created man from the dust of the earth.

God breathed into man a life giving spirit, the breath of God, like a wind He breathed into man the breath of life... and man became a living being. Flesh + Spirit complete is the living soul.

Flesh man is mortal and will return to the dust of the earth.

The spirit of God, breath of God is immoral and leaves the body at first death, to either go back to God (Saved) or to the place of waiting for judgement (unsaved), often called a lost soul.

The soul, being a living being, was part of man when the spirit was put into man, the soul and the spirit leave man at first death therefore there situation is as spirit above.

Shoel referring to the location - grave

Psalm 88:3-5 (NKJV)
3 For my soul is full of troubles, And my life draws near to the grave.
4 I am counted with those who go down to the pit; I am like a man who has no strength,
5 Adrift among the dead, Like the slain who lie in the grave, Whom You remember no more, And who are cut off from Your hand.

Hades referring to the spiritual location of the lost

Acts 2:27-31 (NKJV)
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in Your presence.'
29 "Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne,
31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption.

 

[B-A-C]

A few good reads on the human "triune nature".

2. Man A Trinity (Spirit, Soul, Body) | Bible.org

The Christian doctrine of immortality cannot be understood apart from the right conception of the tripartite nature of men. Many think that man is a physical being only. There is a great danger of any man thinking thus of himself. In his desire to satisfy the needs of the body there is the...

bible.org

Spiritual Warfare - Man as a triune being (spirit, soul, and body) - Emily Tomko

Foundational to the teaching of spiritual warfare, we must realize that man was created in God’s image (Gen. 1:26). God is a triune being (consisting of three in one), and […]

emilytomko.com

Man: A Triune Being - John Ritchie

Even if you don't agree with these points of view, it's good to know where these ideas come from and if they are scriptural.

 

[Brother-Paul]

Greetings @B-A-C

Thank you for including these two messages, I agree with you that we may not agree with all that is said, but feel I agree with more than I disagree with and the order is correct.

Bless you