Spirit
Soul
Body

Characteristics of Spirit, Soul, and Body
(& heart, life, breathe…)

“May the very God of peace sanctify you completely. And I pray to God that your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (MEV)

(April 15, 2025…I’m a bit behind in getting all my notes uploaded to this page but should have it completed soon)

In the article, Do You Know Your Soul? (Issue No. 11: SOUL JOY, pgs. 24-27), I explain the value of knowing our soul. The starting point of knowing our soul is knowing the difference between the different aspects of our person. We are made up of three parts: spirit, soul, and body. Yet, even within these, there are parts of our soul-such as the heart-and aspects such as “life” or “breath” that have their own slight differences of meaning or application.

Within the language of the Holy Scriptures, I began to study out each word’s distinguishing characteristics in Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic. As a result, I’ve begun to make a list of characteristics of the different parts of who we are as I found them in scripture and in other writings. It is certainly not complete and I will continue to add to it as the Holy Spirit brings revelation and I come across more scriptures and writings.

I present my ongoing lists below. May it serve as a starting point in clarifying our understanding of ourselves, as well as a launching pad for your own exploration. Below the list of characteristics, I’ve recorded some of the supporting scriptures. Enjoy!

Spirit

  • Our innermost part
  • Spiritual reality (our spirit) can NOT be felt
  • Inaccessible in any natural way
  • Can be completely transformed by God (“born again)
  • Can influence the soul
  • No direct connection to the body

Heart

Heart (3824 Heb., lébáb) = understanding, feelings, intellect (mind)

  • Innermost part of our soul
  • The place of wisdom
  • Absorbs God’s Word
  • Holds/remembers
  • Protected by the soul
  • Can be deceived
  • Part of the soul and sometimes is used interchangeably or together
  • Feels fear
  • Can turn away from God

Soul

Soul= it is our SELF; that which breathes (Heb., “nephesh” [5315])

  • Mental/emotional part of us
  • Our personality and conscience
  • Can be felt
  • Tells us how we’re doing
  • Can be “hurt” with our own words and the words of others
  • Is not “born again” (the transformation is in the spirit and then it makes its way to the body and soul through sanctification / maturity)
  • Influenced by the body
  • Holds our desires
  • Can, and often does, disagree with the spirit
  • Restorable

JOHN 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

PROVERBS 19:7 [NASB] The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul.

DEUTERONOMY 13:6 [NASB] …or your friend who is as your own soul…

DEUTERONOMY 12:15 [NASB] …you may slaughter and eat meat within any of your gates, in every desire of your soul, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you…

DEUTERONOMY 11:16 [NASB] Beware that your hearts are not deceived…

Body/Flesh

  • Our physical body
  • Is not influenced by the spirit
  • Affected by the condition of the soul
  • Affected by the condition of the soul

Life (Chây / Châyâh)

  • Is a set of experiences (versus an abstract principle of vitality separate from the body)
  • Associated with health, prosperity, make alive, to be well
  • Life comes from God’s Word

Breath

  • Our vitality

JOB 7:7 [AMPC] Oh, remember that my life (chây) is but a wind (a puff, breath, a sob).