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The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917], at sacred-texts.com


1 Thessalonians Chapter 5

1 Thessalonians 5:8

th1 5:8

salvation

(See Scofield) - (Rom 1:16).

1 Thessalonians 5:9

th1 5:9

salvation

(See Scofield) - (Rom 1:16).

1 Thessalonians 5:23

th1 5:23

whole spirit and soul and body

Man as a trinity. That the human soul and spirit are not identical is proved by the facts that they are divisible, (Heb 4:12), and that soul and spirit are sharply distinguished in the burial and resurrection of the body. It is sown a natural body (Greek, "soma psuchikon" meaning "soul-body"), it is raised a spiritual body (Greek, "soma pneumatikon" meaning "spirit-body"). (Co1 15:44).

To assert, therefore, that there is no difference between soul and spirit is to assert that there is no difference between the mortal body and the resurrection body. In Scripture use, the distinction between spirit and soul may be traced. Briefly, that distinction is that the spirit is that part of man which "knows" (Co1 2:11) his mind; the soul is the seat of the affections, desires, and so of the emotions, and of the active will, the self. "My soul is exceeding sorrowful" (Mat 26:38).

See also; (Mat 11:29); (Joh 12:27).

The word transliterated "soul" in the Old Testament (Hebrew, "nephesh") is the exact equivalent of the New Testament word for soul (Greek, "psuchē"), and the use of "soul" in the Old Testament is identical with the use of that word in the New Testament (see, for example); (Deu 6:5); (Deu 14:26); (Sa1 18:1); (Sa1 20:4); (Sa1 20:17); (Job 7:11); (Job 7:15); (Job 14:22); (Psa 42:6); (Psa 84:2).

The New Testament word for spirit (Greek, "pneuma") like the Old Testament (Hebrew, "ruach"), is translated, "air", "breath", "wind," but predominantly "spirit," whether of God (for example); (Gen 1:2); (Mat 3:16) or of man; (Gen 41:8); (Co1 5:5).

Because man is "spirit", he is capable of God-consciousness, and of communication with God; (Job 32:8); (Psa 18:28); (Pro 20:27); because he is "soul", he has self-consciousness; (Psa 13:2); (Psa 42:5); (Psa 42:6); (Psa 42:11); and, because he is "body", he has, through his senses, world consciousness.

(See Scofield) - (Gen 1:26).


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