"Soul" and "Spirit"-What Do These Terms Really Mean?

[cataway]

[align=left]WHEN you hear the terms "soul" and "spirit," what comes to your mind? Many believe that these words mean something invisible and immortal that exists inside us. They think that at death this invisible part of a human leaves the body and lives on. Since this belief is so widespread, many are surprised to learn that it is not at all what the Bible teaches. What, then, is the soul, and what is the spirit, according to God"™s Word?[/align][align=center]"[/align]

[Duffy]

You can refer to "people" as "souls" only when they are alive. You never hear it said "at the end of the battle there were 100 soul laying dead in the mud" But you will hear it said "at the end of the battle there were only 50 souls left standing"

In Noah's time 8 souls survived (living beings) And those who drown were not numbered as "so many souls"

So in my view there has to be life in a person in order to refer to them as a soul. Life=Soul=spiritual being. A body without a spirit=soul is dead.

Robin down under

[dabowhunter]

In 1Thessalonians 5:23 Paul says...";and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ". Sounds like Paul saw a difference

[Alex The Hawk]

Ephesians 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
[/align]I have always loved this particular verse since it encourages us to stand firm in our faith and belief in the Word of God and not be influenced by every wind of erroneous doctrine that comes by. We need to stick firmly with the Word of God as is writtenin our Bibles and not be influenced by every strange doctrine or teaching that comes by, especially those that try to undermine our faith in the written Word of God.[/align][/align]Your brother in Christ Jesus,Alec[/align]

[Porter Rockwell]

The body and spirit together comprise the soul of man. The soul means that the physical and spiritual are combined. As mentioned earlier, the soul is incomplete in death. The soul is complete when there is life, mortal or post mortal.

God Bless,

Porter.

[cataway]

Soul

and Spirit Are Distinct. The "spirit" (Heb., ru´ach; Gr., pneu´ma) should not be confused with the "soul" (Heb., ne´phesh; Gr., psy·khe´), for they refer to different things. Thus, Hebrews 4:12 speaks of the Word of God as "˜piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit, and of joints and their marrow."™ (Compare also Php 1:27; 1Th 5:23.) As has been shown, the soul (ne´phesh; psy·khe´) is the creature itself. The spirit (ru´ach; pneu´ma) generally refers to the life-force of the living creature or soul, though the original-language terms may also have other meanings.

Illustrating further the distinction between the Greek psy·khe´ and pneu´ma is the apostle Paul"™s discussion, in his first letter to the Corinthians, of the resurrection of Christians to spirit life. Here he contrasts "that which is physical [psy·khi·kon´, literally, soulical]" with "that which is spiritual [pneu·ma·ti·kon´]." Thus, he shows that Christians until the time of their death have a "soulical" body, even as did the first man Adam; whereas, in their resurrection such anointed Christians receive a spiritual body like that of the glorified Jesus Christ. (1Co 15:42-49) Jude makes a somewhat similar comparison in speaking of "animalistic men [psy·khi·koi´, literally, soulical (men)], not having spirituality [literally, not having spirit (pneu´ma)].""”Jude19.

[Porter Rockwell]

In Biblicalterminology "soul" is used in various ways, with diverse connotations found throughout the scriptures and in other Church writings. However, the word also has a precise definitionin revelation: the soul is the united entity of the spirit with the physical body.

This concept is enhanced by an understanding of (1) the creation of humankind as a uniting of the spirit body and the physical body (Gen. 2:7) (2) the knowledge that God himself is embodied (See my post on Gods image)and (3) the doctrine that all mortals will ultimately undergo a literal resurrection of the physical body.

Only in this resurrected and permanently united form can a soul receive a fulness of joy. The glory with which the soul arises in the resurrection is related to the glory, form, and qualities of the resurrected body (1 Cor. 15:40-45).

"Soul" in a generic sense, however, means a person. This was common usage in the nineteenth century and earlier (i.e., Gen. 17:14) as it is today. "Soul" is sometimes synonymous with "the whole self," or what might be described as one's "being" or "essence." Scriptural passages speak of "enlarging" the souland of imploring others with all the "energy" of one's soul.

The word occasionally also appears as a metaphor implying "strength"or "heart". "Soul" often is likewise used to refer to a person's intimate feelings or desires, as when one pours out one's "whole soul"or when one is commanded to love God with "all thy soul" (Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30-33; Luke 10:27).

Other connotations are suggested by the word when it describes an entire community (Num. 21:4; 1 Sam. 30:6; Acts 4:32). "Soul" is often used where the term "spirit" might also apply. Here the soul is essentially that aspect of all human beings which persists independent of the physical body (Matt. 10:28)

As I alluded to earlier in my other post--In LDS doctrine the soul, in this sense, exists both before and after mortal life, and is truly eternal.
Consistent with the idea that all spirits (or souls) existed prior to their mortal life, LDS doctrine holds that all vegetable and animal life was created spiritually before the physical creation (Gen. 2:5). In this sense, every living thing (plant, animal, human) is spoken of as having a soul (Genesis 2).

The human soul is innately endowed with an agency that should be honored and guarded as sacred and eternal. The soul (spirit), being eternal, cannot be fully destroyed but can suffer a type of destruction or spiritual death through sins that result in total and ultimate estrangement from God.

Scripture teaches that all human souls are children of God and are of infinite worth (Matt. 16:26). God has great joy in a repentant soul, and there is no more important work than the saving of souls and bringing them to God.

This is what i was attempting to explain in my terms.

God Bless,

Porter.

[cataway]

well porter many of the things that you have said are true except this part
"As I alluded to earlier in my other post--In LDS doctrine the soul, in this sense, exists both before and after mortal life, and is truly eternal.
Consistent with the idea that all spirits (or souls) existed prior to their mortal life, LDS doctrine holds that all vegetable and animal life was created spiritually before the physical creation (Gen. 2:5). In this sense, every living thing (plant, animal, human) is spoken of as having a soul (Genesis 2). "
a soul does not exists before it is alive and after it is dead then it can be referred to as a dead soul. the idea that a soul lives on after the death of an individual is a complete farce
exekiel 18:4
.Look! All the souls"”to me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the son"”to me they belong. The soul that is sinning"”it itself will die.

[etothepii]

.Look! All the souls"”to me they belong. As the soul of the father so likewise the soul of the son"”to me they belong. The soul that is sinning"”it itself will die.

You know in the Bible, sometime to die or have death means to spend eternity in Hell. This verse cpuld actually be affirming the opposite of what you say.
Just a thought.