The Spiritual Man

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Spirit, Soul and Body
The ordinary concept of the constitution of human
beings is dualistic—soul and body. According to this
concept soul is the invisible inner spiritual part, while
body is the visible outer corporal part. Though there is
some truth to this, it is nevertheless inaccurate. Such an
opinion comes from fallen man, not from God; apart from God’s
revelation, no concept is dependable. That the body is man’s outward
sheath is undoubtedly correct, but the Bible never confuses spirit and
soul as though they are the same. Not only are they different in
terms; their very natures differ from each other. The Word of God
does not divide man into the two parts of soul and body. It treats
man, rather, as tripartite—spirit, soul and body. 1 Thessalonians 5.23
reads: “May the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may
your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” This verse precisely shows that the
whole man is divided into three parts. The Apostle Paul refers here to
the complete sanctification of believers, “sanctify you wholly.”
According to the Apostle, how is a person wholly sanctified? By his
spirit and soul and body being kept. From this we can easily
understand that the whole person comprises these three parts. This
verse also makes a distinction between spirit and soul; otherwise,
Paul would have said simply “your soul.” Since God has
distinguished the human spirit from the human soul, we conclude
that man is composed of not two, but three, parts: spirit, soul and
body.
Is it a matter of any consequence to divide spirit and soul? It is an
issue of supreme importance for it affects tremendously the spiritual
life of a believer. How can a believer understand spiritual life if he
does not know what is the extent of the realm of the spirit? Without
such understanding how can he grow spiritually? To fail to
distinguish between spirit and soul is fatal to spiritual maturity.