What is the soul?

[Bible Highlighter]

What is the soul?

The soul is one's mind, will, and emotions.

The Mind Being a Part of the Soul:

The soul is of three parts—the mind, the will, and the emotion. This is clearly and definitely proved by the Word of God. Proverbs 2:10 gives us the spiritual ground to prove that the mind is a part of the soul. This verse says, “Wisdom will enter your heart, / And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Because knowledge is a matter of the mind, this proves that the mind is a part of the soul. Proverbs 19:21 and 24:14 also indicate that knowledge and wisdom are related to the soul. In addition, Psalms 139:14 says, “My soul knows it well.” Since to know is a matter of the mind, this also proves that the mind must be a part of the soul. Psalms 13:2 speaks of bearing concern in the soul. This concern must be something considered in the mind. Lamentations 3:20 says, “My soul remembers them well,” indicating that the soul can remember things. By these verses we can be clear that the mind as the organ to know, to consider, and to remember is a part of the soul.

The Will Being a Part of the Soul:

The second part of the soul is the will. Job 7:15 says, “My soul would choose,” and 6:7 says, “My soul refuses.” To choose and to refuse are both decisions and functions of the will. These passages prove that the will must be a part of the soul. First Chronicles 22:19 says, “Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Jehovah your God.” Just as we set our mind to think, this verse says that we set our soul to seek. This is, of course, to make a decision. That the soul makes a decision also proves that the will is a part of the soul. Numbers 30:2 says, “When a man vows a vow to Jehovah or swears an oath to bind himself by pledge...” The term to bind oneself,which occurs eleven times in this chapter, literally means “to bind one’s soul.” To bind the soul is to make a decision. This chapter in Numbers deals with vows made to the Lord. Since we must make a decision to bind our soul to vow to the Lord, this also proves that the will must be a part of the soul. It would be good for the brothers and sisters, especially the young ones, to remember all these verses. They should pick up the burden to learn this.

The Emotion Being a Part of the Soul:

The emotion comprises many things, including love, hatred, joy, and grief. Song of Songs 1:7 and Psalms 42:1 show us that to love is a function of the soul. This proves that within the soul there is the organ, the function, of the emotion. Second Samuel 5:8, Psalms 107:18, and Ezekiel 36:5 show us that hating, loathing, and despising are also in the soul. Despising in the soul is the hatred of the soul. Since these are emotions, this also proves that the emotion must be a part of the soul.

Joy is a great part of the emotion. Isaiah 61:10 and Psalms 86:4 tell us that joy is in the soul. This again proves that the emotion is a part of the soul. Deuteronomy 14:26 and Jeremiah 22:27 tell us that the soul desires. According to the better translations and Strong’s or Young’s concordances, desire in Jeremiah 44:14 and set their heart in Ezekiel 24:25 are literally lift up the soul. These verses tell us that the desire of the emotion is something in our soul. In addition, 1 Samuel 30:6, Judges 10:16, and Job 30:25 speak of bitterness, misery, and grief in the soul.

The verses of the Scriptures above are the ground to say that within the soul there are three parts—the mind as the leading part with the will and the emotion. These are the best verses to prove this, but they are not the only ones. If we study the entire Scriptures, it is hard to find anything other than these three parts in the soul. These three parts comprise all the functions of the soul.


Source:
THE SOUL HAVING THREE PARTS
(Note: I do not believe everything this author teaches or believes; I merely agree with this portion of his article that I quoted here).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I would like to add that the the word "soul" is something that is not only for a being who is a living flesh and blood person only, too.

The Bible describes God having a soul:

• Leviticus 26:11
  And I will set my tabernacle among you: and my soul shall not abhor you.
• Leviticus 26:30
  And I will destroy your high places, and cut down your images, and cast your carcases upon the carcases of your idols, and my soul shall abhor you.
• Isaiah 42:1
  Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles.
• Zechariah 11:8
  Three shepherds also I cut off in one month; and my soul lothed them, and their soul also abhorred me.
• Matthew 12:18
  Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles.
• Hebrews 10:38
  Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.

The Bible describes how Jesus's soul was in the realm of the dead:

"Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption." (Acts of the Apostles 2:27).​

The Bible describes the souls of men after they were slain or killed for the word of God:

9 "And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:
10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? "
(Revelation 6:9-10).
​

I hope this helps someone today;
And may God bless you all in drawing closer to the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

[Artra]

I liked the OP but I'd like to add that virtually every translation of Matthew 22:37 separates the Soul and the mind as two different entities, but I believes there's Truth in the mind and the Soul being interconnected.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus declared, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I liked the OP but I'd like to add that virtually every translation of Matthew 22:37 separates the Soul and the mind as two different entities, but I believes there's Truth in the mind and the Soul being interconnected.

Matthew 22:37 Jesus declared, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'

Thank you for the kind words.

As for Matthew 22:37:

Well, the word "soul" in the example of Matthew 22:37 is in reference to the whole of your mind, will, and emotions.... which would be your whole life. In other words, it would mean: "your life."

While there are different aspects to loving God with all your soul, I see Loving God with all your soul primarily as loving God by surrendering your life more to Him and His will.

"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." (Romans 12:1).

Loving God with all your mind is focusing on His Word every day and in praying to the Lord and acknowledging His love, and good ways (even when life might throw challenges at us sometimes). It is an adoration of God and His Word on a mental level.

I hope this was useful;
And may the Lord bless you and your family today.

 

[EastCoastRemnant]

Soul = life... it's as simple as that. If you replace the word soul in the above passages with the word life, they make perfect sense.

We are taught this simple premise in 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.

Man did not receive a soul as is commonly taught but became one.

 

[paul becke]

I believe the Roman Catholic catechism describes it as the memory, will and understanding.

Interestingly, imo, a prayer of self-dedication at the back of the breviary, reads as follows :

'Take all my freedom, Lord ; accept the whole of my memory, understanding and will. Whatever I have or hold comes to me from your bounty. I give it all back to you, surrender it all to the guidance of your will. Your grace and the love of you are wealth enough ; give me but that, and I ask for nothing more.'

 

[redleghunter]

Thank you for the thread Jason.

I believe what needs to first be established is do we as human beings made in the image and according to the likeness of God have a material and immaterial?

I believe the answer is yes as stated by the Apostle Paul:

2 Corinthians 4: NASB

16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Thank you for the thread Jason.

You are most welcome.

I believe what needs to first be established is do we as human beings made in the image and according to the likeness of God have a material and immaterial?

I believe the answer is yes as stated by the Apostle Paul:

2 Corinthians 4: NASB

16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.17For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, 18while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I agree.

Peace be with you always in the Lord.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Paul says there is a natural body, and a spiritual body:

"It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." (1 Corinthians 15:44).

Paul says we are to keep three things blameless to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ.

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

One question we should ask ourselves is how do we keep all three of these things blameless?

How is that applicable in our daily walk with Christ?

I see the body is more of the physical. It's our physical flesh and blood body and how we interact with the things of this world. We should attempt to be blameless in how we physically live before the Lord being unspotted from the world. James says that one part of pure religion is to be unspotted from the world. To not be seen with the stain of the word's ways upon my life. This is one way to approach in how we can be blameless in body. Another way is to take care of our physical bodies but not at the point of making our bodies an idol but merely as instruments or vessels for Christ.

We should seek to aim to be blameless with our spirit. We should seek spiritual things within God's Word and put them into practice. We should be blameless in the way we study His Word, and put it into practice in our own lives, and then teach others. It is to live a spiritual life for Jesus. The key here is love. Love God and love others with everything you got. It is to uplift God and Christ in everything. To seek the Lord every day with all you can muster and to draw close to Him and His love (So we can truly love Him and others).

We should seek to be blameless with our soul or our entire life (i.e. our mind, will, and emotions). Our whole life should be in service to the Lord. Our thoughts should always be in the things of God always. Our will and purpose each day should be guided by the things of the Lord. Our emotions should be in check and guided by godliness (i.e. the way of Christ). We should seek the mastery. Finish the race. Be a shining example with our life for Jesus Christ. What is the legacy are we going to leave behind for the Lord? We should inspire others to follow Jesus by the kind of life that we lived. This is no easy task. Sometimes we can seem like we are not worthy or we may find that we keep failing. But if we have faith and trust in GOD, and keep asking and seeking and trusting.... the LORD will come through for us and make us new creations in His image. Faith sometimes takes time. It's why many believers live for many years. They are living out their faith and growing and trusting more and more in the Lord each day. His love pushes and moves them on to keep walking more and more in His love.

 

[Butch5]

What is the soul?

The soul is one's mind, will, and emotions.

The Mind Being a Part of the Soul:

The soul is of three parts—the mind, the will, and the emotion. This is clearly and definitely proved by the Word of God. Proverbs 2:10 gives us the spiritual ground to prove that the mind is a part of the soul. This verse says, “Wisdom will enter your heart, / And knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” Because knowledge is a matter of the mind, this proves that the mind is a part of the soul. Proverbs 19:21 and 24:14 also indicate that knowledge and wisdom are related to the soul. In addition, Psalms 139:14 says, “My soul knows it well.” Since to know is a matter of the mind, this also proves that the mind must be a part of the soul. Psalms 13:2 speaks of bearing concern in the soul. This concern must be something considered in the mind. Lamentations 3:20 says, “My soul remembers them well,” indicating that the soul can remember things. By these verses we can be clear that the mind as the organ to know, to consider, and to remember is a part of the soul.

The Will Being a Part of the Soul:

The second part of the soul is the will. Job 7:15 says, “My soul would choose,” and 6:7 says, “My soul refuses.” To choose and to refuse are both decisions and functions of the will. These passages prove that the will must be a part of the soul. First Chronicles 22:19 says, “Now set your heart and your soul to seek after Jehovah your God.” Just as we set our mind to think, this verse says that we set our soul to seek. This is, of course, to make a decision. That the soul makes a decision also proves that the will is a part of the soul. Numbers 30:2 says, “When a man vows a vow to Jehovah or swears an oath to bind himself by pledge...” The term to bind oneself,which occurs eleven times in this chapter, literally means “to bind one’s soul.” To bind the soul is to make a decision. This chapter in Numbers deals with vows made to the Lord. Since we must make a decision to bind our soul to vow to the Lord, this also proves that the will must be a part of the soul. It would be good for the brothers and sisters, especially the young ones, to remember all these verses. They should pick up the burden to learn this.

The Emotion Being a Part of the Soul:

The emotion comprises many things, including love, hatred, joy, and grief. Song of Songs 1:7 and Psalms 42:1 show us that to love is a function of the soul. This proves that within the soul there is the organ, the function, of the emotion. Second Samuel 5:8, Psalms 107:18, and Ezekiel 36:5 show us that hating, loathing, and despising are also in the soul. Despising in the soul is the hatred of the soul. Since these are emotions, this also proves that the emotion must be a part of the soul.

Joy is a great part of the emotion. Isaiah 61:10 and Psalms 86:4 tell us that joy is in the soul. This again proves that the emotion is a part of the soul. Deuteronomy 14:26 and Jeremiah 22:27 tell us that the soul desires. According to the better translations and Strong’s or Young’s concordances, desire in Jeremiah 44:14 and set their heart in Ezekiel 24:25 are literally lift up the soul. These verses tell us that the desire of the emotion is something in our soul. In addition, 1 Samuel 30:6, Judges 10:16, and Job 30:25 speak of bitterness, misery, and grief in the soul.

The verses of the Scriptures above are the ground to say that within the soul there are three parts—the mind as the leading part with the will and the emotion. These are the best verses to prove this, but they are not the only ones. If we study the entire Scriptures, it is hard to find anything other than these three parts in the soul. These three parts comprise all the functions of the soul.


Source:
THE SOUL HAVING THREE PARTS
(Note: I do not believe everything this author teaches or believes; I merely agree with this portion of his article that I quoted here).

This is just someone's opinion. Not what the Scriptures teach as I pointed out in the other thread. The Bible uses the word soul of a living being. It is also sometimes translated as "life". A living being has a mind, emotions, and will. However, they are not the definition of soul. It is a living being. The Bible speaks of animals as souls, humans as souls, and God is said to have a soul. He is a living being. When God created man, He made the man from the dust of the earth and breathed into the man the breath of life and man became a living soul. Notice the man wasn't a soul until he was living.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

This is just someone's opinion. Not what the Scriptures teach as I pointed out in the other thread. The Bible uses the word soul of a living being. It is also sometimes translated as "life". A living being has a mind, emotions, and will. However, they are not the definition of soul. It is a living being. The Bible speaks of animals as souls, humans as souls, and God is said to have a soul. He is a living being. When God created man, He made the man from the dust of the earth and breathed into the man the breath of life and man became a living soul. Notice the man wasn't a soul until he was living.

Again, not so. See post #2.

 

[Butch5]

Again, not so. See post #2.

It is so. A soul is a living being. All you need to do if follow the word through the Scriptures. As I said in the other thread, emotions are something a soul experiences. Desire or a will is something a soul experiences. A mind or reasoning is somethings a soul does. Abhorrence is an emotion. If God finds something abhorrent then it's His emotion. You argument about, emotions, will, and mind, doesn't work because the same things are said of the body parts.

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. (Gen. 43:30 KJV)

Yearn is an emotion. Would claim that the bowels are the, emotions, the mind, or the will?

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. (Ps. 10:3 KJV)

Desire is of the will or an emotion. Would you say that the heart is, the mind, will, or emotions?

I doubt you would. Therefore, the word soul used in the same manner doesn't mean, the will, mind, or emotions.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

It is so. A soul is a living being. All you need to do if follow the word through the Scriptures. As I said in the other thread, emotions are something a soul experiences. Desire or a will is something a soul experiences. A mind or reasoning is somethings a soul does. Abhorrence is an emotion. If God finds something abhorrent then it's His emotion. You argument about, emotions, will, and mind, doesn't work because the same things are said of the body parts.

And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. (Gen. 43:30 KJV)

Yearn is an emotion. Would claim that the bowels are the, emotions, the mind, or the will?

For the wicked boasteth of his heart's desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the LORD abhorreth. (Ps. 10:3 KJV)

Desire is of the will or an emotion. Would you say that the heart is, the mind, will, or emotions?

I doubt you would. Therefore, the word soul used in the same manner doesn't mean, the will, mind, or emotions.

You believe the soul is exclusively a living being only. I believe a soul can be in reference to beings who are either living or dead. As I pointed out in post #2, God has a soul, Jesus had a soul in the realm of the dead, and the saints that were slain for the Word of God had souls while under the altar of God in Heaven.

 

[Butch5]

You believe the soul is exclusively a living being only. I believe a soul can be in reference to beings who are either living or dead. As I pointed out in post #2, God has a soul, Jesus had a soul in the realm of the dead, and the saints that were slain for the Word of God had souls while under the altar of God in Heaven.

The word soul is used of life, in addition to a living being. There are a few places where a dead person is referred to as a soul. The point is it's always a living being or one that was recently alive. Jesus' soul in Hades means He was in grave. Hades is not a place where the ghosts of the dead go. There are no ghosts of the dead. Hades is the grave. The saints under the alter has to be understood in context. Revelation is a book of symbolism. The question becomes what is the symbolism? Why are the saints under the alter? What does that mean? Notice the saints that were under the alter were slain.

The Bible also refers to fish and animals as souls.

In order to understand these things one needs to look at the subject holistically. We can just grab a verse here or there and just use them to determine what something means.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The word soul is used of life, in addition to a living being. There are a few places where a dead person is referred to as a soul. The point is it's always a living being or one that was recently alive. Jesus' soul in Hades means He was in grave. Hades is not a place where the ghosts of the dead go. There are no ghosts of the dead. Hades is the grave. The saints under the alter has to be understood in context. Revelation is a book of symbolism. The question becomes what is the symbolism? Why are the saints under the alter? What does that mean? Notice the saints that were under the alter were slain.

The Bible also refers to fish and animals as souls.

In order to understand these things one needs to look at the subject holistically. We can just grab a verse here or there and just use them to determine what something means.

God who is spirit is said to have a soul. So no. What you say is not taking into account all of the Scriptures. The others also stand as a testimony, as well. You basically are not reading them plainly and believing them at face value. This seems like you are biased against the idea that there are departed souls to begin with and so you have to invent work around explanations on these verses.

Side Note:

Oh, and I do not believe in ghosts, either. I do not believe God allows the departed souls to come back in spirit form to make special visits (except maybe at the time of Christ's 2nd coming when they follow Him into battle).

 

[Butch5]

God who is spirit is said to have a soul. So no. What you say is not taking into account all of the Scriptures. The others also stand as a testimony, as well. You basically are not reading them plainly and believing them at face value. This seems like you are biased against the idea that there are departed souls to begin with and so you have to invent work around explanations on these verses.

Side Note:

Oh, and I do not believe in ghosts, either. I do not believe God allows the departed souls to come back in spirit form to make special visits (except maybe at the time of Christ's 2nd coming when they follow Him into battle).

I'm taking all of Scripture into account. God is a soul. He is a living being. A soul is the whole being. God saying my soul abhors something, means His very being abhors it.

The term departed souls means dead people. A soul isn't something that departs the body and goes somewhere. It includes the body. I refer back to Gen 2:7. The man was created from the dust but he was not a living soul until God breathed life into him. Soul and life are intimately connected. When a person dies there is no more soul. The component parts have separate. God's breath or spirit of life returns to Him and the man, the body, returns to the dust from which it was taken. That's stated in Scripture.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I'm taking all of Scripture into account. God is a soul. He is a living being. A soul is the whole being. God saying my soul abhors something, means His very being abhors it.

The term departed souls means dead people. A soul isn't something that departs the body and goes somewhere. It includes the body. I refer back to Gen 2:7. The man was created from the dust but he was not a living soul until God breathed life into him. Soul and life are intimately connected. When a person dies there is no more soul. The component parts have separate. God's breath or spirit of life returns to Him and the man, the body, returns to the dust from which it was taken. That's stated in Scripture.

I don’t see that as being consistent. Before the Incarnation, God just as a spirit being has a soul. Our spirit returns to God. So if God has a soul as spirit being then the same holds true for us when we our spirit returns to God.

 

[Butch5]

It is consistent. God doesn't "have" a soul. He "is" a soul. Just like man "is" a soul. Just like a fish "is" a soul. Living beings "are" souls. This concept is all through the Scriptures.

What returns to God when man dies is not a human spirit. There is no human spirit. What return to God is His breath or spirit of life. God breathed into Adam, His, God's, breath or spirit of life. This is the only breath or spirit in man. It is this, God's, breath or spirit that returns to Him. Man consists of the dust or elements of the earth. Man is not a spirit. He is dust that has been given life through God's breath or spirit of life. When that breath or spirit of life from God returns to God the man is dead and returns to the dust. This concept too is found through Scripture.

 

[NBB]

Don't forget the most important part the bible talks about, the heart.
Mind not equals to heart.

 

[JLHargus]

Soul = life... it's as simple as that. If you replace the word soul in the above passages with the word life, they make perfect sense.

We are taught this simple premise in 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.

Man did not receive a soul as is commonly taught but became one.

JL: Yes the soul=life force or spirit. Had God not given the bodyl a life force that dust would only have been a statue.

[Jms2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.]

When a human being dies the body returns to dust and the immortal soul=spirit goes back to God who gave it for it particular judgment. Christ tells anyone can destroy the body but only God can destroy both body and soul. If only God can destroy a soul then it is immortal as are angels good or evil. Even our bodies will be immortal at resurrection.

[Mt10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.] Hell=Geenna=Lake of Fire.

[Hb12:22 But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,24 And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.]

In Hb12 we see in heaven the spirits of just men made perfect waiting for the resurrection of their bodies.

[2Cor5:1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight 8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.]