Body, Soul and Spirit
God formed man into Their likeness from elements of the earth and gave him life and man became animated or a living being. "He breathed the breath of life into the man's nostrils, and the man became a living person." [Gen. 2:7 NLT] This life was a perishable life. However; and for as long as man kept on eating of the tree of life he would lived forever. [Gen. 3:22]

But man was created different from the other air breathing creations as he had a soul and spirit. "

Matthew records Jesus stating "Don't be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [Matthew 10:28]

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Paul state in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit (pneuma) and soul (psuche) and body (soma) be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."

What are they?

"The terms 'soul' and 'spirit' are never used in the scripture with reference to plant life. And, with the single exception of Ecclesiastes 3:21(in the Old Testament), it seems that 'spirit' is never used of animal life. But both 'soul' and 'spirit' are used freely in reference to human life. And 'spirit,' but not 'soul' is also used of non-human entities both good and bad, as GOD (who is 'Spirit,' John 4:24, self-existent and uncreated, but Creator of all other spirits), the HOLY SPIRIT (included in the Godhead along with CHRIST and, like him, a participation in creation), ANGELS (whether good or fallen), SATAN (by implication a fallen angel and leader of the others), and DEMONS." (Cecil Wright, Searching the Scriptures - Heaven and Hell, Soul and Spirit, Angels and Demons) The word translated "body" appears to refer to the earthly body or representative of it.

Body (Gk. soma)
What happens to the physical body when one dies?

• Remember also thy Creator … before the silver cord is broken and the golden bowl is crushed, the pitcher by the well is shattered and the wheel at the cistern is crushed; then the dust will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it. [Ecclesiastes 12:1; 6-7]
  
  
• Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep [die (rd)], but we [Christians (rd)] will all be changed - in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed. For the perishable must clothe itself with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality. When the perishable has been clothed with the imperishable, and the mortal with immortality, then the saying that is written will come true: "Death has been swallowed up in victory." [1 Corinthians 15:50-54]

When the spirit departs from the body, the body dies.

• Referring to the birth of Benjamin, "And as her (Rachel) soul was departing (for she was dying). [Genesis 35:18-19 ESV]
• The body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. [James 2:26]
• It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing. [John 6:63 NKJV]
• Jesus said "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. When he had said this, he breathed his last."[Luke 23:46 NIV]
• At his stoning Stephen called on the Lord and said, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit! … When he had said this, he fell asleep, (died)." [Acts 7:59; 60 NIV]

Spirit (Gk. pneuma)
The spirit of man returns to God who gave it. This is evidenced by:

• Remember your Creator now while you are young before you die. For then your body will decay "to dust (and) will return to the earth, and the spirit will return to God who gave it." [Ecclesiastes 12:6-7]
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• Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. [Luke 23:46]
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• While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep. [Acts 7:59-60]

Soul (Gk. psuche)
One could possibly conclude that the soul is man's inner being, his heart and a conscious, awareness of his present situation.

• In Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom. "And he cried out and said, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.' [Luke 16:23-24]


• Don't be surprised at this; because the time is coming when all who are in the grave will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good to a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to a resurrection of judgment. [John 5:28-29 CJB]

There is something wonderful for tose in CHRIST
Jesus stated "I will build my Church" {A better translation would probably be I will establish a community, congregation, assembly or group of My disciples (rd)} and the gates of Hades will not overcome it {death would have no power, control over them as it does over those not His disciples (rd)}. [Matthew 16:18] Jesus' resurrection provides the opportunity for man to "never perish, spoil or fade" [1 Peter 1:4]

All of us who were baptized [immersed (rd)] into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death. We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. [Romans 6:3-5]

We know that God, who raised the Lord Jesus, will also raise us with Jesus and present us to himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as God's grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory. That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day. For our present troubles are small and won't last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever! [2 Corinthians 4:14-18]

There is something dreadful for those NOT in Christ
When the Son of Man comes in his glory … he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left … (saying) to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire. [Matthew 25:31-33; 41 NIV] The Lord will judge his people. It is a dreadful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. [Hebrews 10:30b, 31a]

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