QUESTION: There have been conflicting explanations of what a “soul” is. Please, can you tell me your version?

ANSWER: In the Old Testament Hebrew, the word for soul is “nephesh.” In the New Testament Greek, the word is “psykhe” or “psuche.” In both cases (Old and New Testaments) where these words appear the meaning must determined solely on the basis of context. For example:

1. These words can refer to the total person: (Ezekiel 18:20; Acts 4:41-43; Romans 2:9; James 5:20; I Peter 3:20).

2. They can refer to the life force within the body: (Genesis 1:30; Matthew 2:20; Luke 12:22; Acts 20:10; I Corinthians 15:45; Revelation 8:9; Revelation 12:11).

3. They often refer to the immaterial, invisible part of man: (Matthew 10:28; Acts 2:25-27; Luke 21:19; I Peter 2:11; III John, verse two). 4. They are sometimes used in reference to the disembodied: (II Corinthians 5:3-4; Revelation 6:9; Revelation 20:4).

Though the spirit is the real life of the body (because it is the spirit of man that quickeneth or makes alive (John 6:63), it is also clear that man possesses both spirit and soul, both of which are apparently necessary to animate the body (Hebrews 4:12; I Thessalonians 5:23).

It is interesting to note that God who is a Spirit (John 4:24) also has a Soul (Leviticus 26:11, 30; Isaiah 1:14; Matthew 12:18; Hebrews 10:38).