Dimensions of Man

The dimensions of man were first given in the Holy Bible in the book of Genesis:

^7 “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  Genesis 2:7, KJV.

Man is thus composed of a physical, viewable, measurable construction and a non-physical breath-of-life of un-quantifiably complete content.  And the man became a living soul.  The description of man as a soul is repeated in the saving of Noah’s family from the flood:

²⁰Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.  1 Peter 3:20, KJV.

Neither of the above quotes indicate that man has a soul – rather man is a living soul!  Intuitively one, I believe, questions the duality of being a soul and having a soul.  What is the “breath of life?”  How are the spirit, mind, and heart functions and qualities related to man, breath-of-life, and his soul?  As study of the Scriptures is pursued this ambiguity is troubling to me.

Searches on the internet for a satisfying graphical depiction of the above relationships have not been very successful.  Perhaps the one below will suffice, but it has some shortcomings.  We will offer it for now to show possible relationships.

Christian Views on the Soul and Spirit

Zondervan academic writings describe three main Christian views on the soul and spirit.

1. Three parts: body, soul, and spirit – trichotomy.
2. Two parts: body and soul – dichotomy.
3. One part: the body – monism.

 

Body, Soul, and Spirit?

Below is an alternative depiction of Body, Soul, and Spirit along with qualities of the Mind.  However, it also has some shortcomings in the assignments of qualities to the Heart and Mind which are in disagreement with other observed opinions.

Are the dimensions of man fully expressed in three components – spirit, soul, and body?  What about “the breath-of-life?”  Are spirit, breath of life, and soul interchangeable?  How do the heart, mind, and breath-of-life fit into the human design and life cycle?  Is the brain a part of the body or of the mind, both, or something else?  Resolution of these questions could dispel some of the confusion in study of the Scriptures.  Jesus adds additional dimensions to those of Genesis 2:7 when he answered a Pharisee about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38.

³⁷You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.  ³⁸This is the first and great commandment.  Matthew 22:37-38, NKJV-The Jeremiah Study Bible.

In Hebrews additional dimensional ambiguity is presented:

¹²For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.  Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

 

Bible Verses Related to Body, Soul and Spirit⁵

^7 “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”  Genesis 2:7, KJV.

¹⁴Ye shall keep the Sabbath therefore; for it is holy unto you: every one that defileth it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever doeth any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from amongst his people.  Exodus 31:14, KJV.

¹¹For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.  Leviticus 17:11, KJV. 

²⁴But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and hath followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereinto he went; and his seed shall possess it.  Numbers 14:24, KJV.

¹²“So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.”  Job 14:12, KJV.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope.¹⁰ For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  Psalms 16:9-10, KJV.

¹⁸The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Psalms 34:18, KJV. 

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalms 51:10, KJV. 

²⁹“Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.”  Psalms 104:29, KJV.

¹⁷”The dead praise not the Lord, Neither any that go down into silence.”  Psalms 115:17, KJV.

^4”His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.”  Psalms 146:4, KJV.

³⁰The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; And he that winneth souls is wise.  Proverbs 11:30, KJV.

⁵“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. ⁶“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any thing that is done under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, KJV.

⁷ Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.  Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV.

¹⁹And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: Ezekiel 11:19, KJV. 

²⁶A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 36:26, KJV. 

¹⁶ So Zedekiah the king sware secretly unto Jeremiah, saying, As the Lord liveth, that made us this soul, I will not put thee to death, neither will I give thee into the hand of these men that seek thy life.  Jeremiah 38:16, KJV. 

⁴ Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.  Ezekiel 18:4, KJV.

²And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  Daniel 12:2, KJV. 

²⁸And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  Matthew 10:28, KJV.

³⁶ Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.  ³⁷ And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy.  ³⁸ Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.  Matthew 26:36-38, KJV.

⁵²And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth. ⁵³And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead. ⁵⁴And he put them all out, and took her by the hand, and called, saying, Maid, arise. ⁵⁵And her spirit came again, and she arose straightway: and he commanded to give her meat. ⁵⁶And her parents were astonished: but he charged them that they should tell no man what was done.  Luke 8:52-56, KJV.

⁴⁶And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, He said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.  Luke 23:46, KJV.

²⁵“Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.”  John 5:25, KJV.

^11”These things said he: and after that he saith unto them, “Our friend Lazarus sleepeth; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep.” ¹² Then said his disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. ¹³ Howbeit Jesus spake of his death: but they thought that he had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. ¹⁴Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead.”  John11:11-14, KJV.

²³For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Romans 6:23, KJV.

⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Romans 8:5-6, KJV. 

^23”And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV.

⁷For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7, KJV.

^22 “The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.”  2 Timothy 4:22, KJV.

^12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

²¹ Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  James 1:21, KJV.

²² Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  1 Peter 1:22, KJV. 

²⁰”Which sometimes were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.”  1 Peter 3:20, KJV.

¹⁴ Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:  2 Peter 2:14, KJV. 

 

Bible Verses Related to the Heart⁵

Proverbs 4:23 perhaps provides an encompassing view of the heart: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”

⁷But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.  1 Samuel 16:7, KJV.

¹²“So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.”  Job 14:12, KJV.

⁹ Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: My flesh also shall rest in hope.¹⁰ For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; Neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.  Psalm 16:9-10, KJV.

¹⁸The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.  Psalms 34:18, KJV. 

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.  Psalms 51:10, KJV. 

⁵Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5, KJV.

²³Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.  Proverbs 4:23, KJV.

²Every way of a man is right in his own eyes: but the LORD pondereth the hearts.  Proverbs 21:2, KJV.

⁵“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. ⁶“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any thing that is done under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, KJV.

⁹The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?  Jeremiah 17:9, KJV.

¹⁰I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.  Jeremiah 17:10, KJV.

¹⁹And I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: Ezekiel 11:19, KJV.

²⁶A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.  Ezekiel 36:26, KJV.

⁸Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.  Matthew 5:8, KJV.

¹⁸But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.  ¹⁹For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: ²⁰These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashed hands defileth not a man. Matthew 15:18-20, KJV.

²¹For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²²Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: ²³All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.  Mark 7:21-23, KJV. 

²⁰For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.  1 John 3:20, KJV.

²²And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfil all my will.  Acts 13:22, KJV.

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7, KJV.

⁵Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:  1 Timothy 1:5, KJV. 

^12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

⁸Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  James 4:8, KJV.

²² Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:  1 Peter 1:22, KJV. 

¹⁴ Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:  2 Peter 2:14, KJV.

 

Bible verses related to the Mind⁵ 

Dr. David Jeremiah in his publication, “The Jeremiah Study Bible¹³, NKJV” page 1304, addresses the use of parables by Jesus in his teaching.

The two wisest men who ever lived—Solomon and Jesus—shared a unique trait: they were both master teachers who employed word pictures to convey truth.

No wonder people love to read the proverbs of Solomon and the parables of Jesus.  Solomon’s proverbs are actually an early, simplified form of parables.

Thirty-five parables, or short stories, of Jesus are recorded in the four Gospels.

Someone has defined a parable as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 

This use of parables to illustrate heavenly truths not comprehended by the human mind provides understanding.  It also illuminates the range of the human mind from the simplicity and potential of earth to the complexity of things not revealed.  Study of the following Bible verses should aid in understanding of the mind. 

¹²“So man lieth down, and riseth not: till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep.”  Job 14:12, KJV.

¹⁵I will meditate in thy precepts, And have respect unto thy ways.  Psalms 119:15, KJV.

^4”His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; In that very day his thoughts perish.”  Psalms 146:4, KJV.

⁵“For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. ⁶“Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion forever in any thing that is done under the sun.”  Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, KJV.

 ³Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: Because he trusteth in thee.  Isaiah 26:3, KJV.

⁵For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  ⁶For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Romans 8:5-6, KJV.

¹I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  ² And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.  Romans 12:1-2, KJV.

¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are past away; behold, all things are become new.  2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV.

⁵Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;  2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV.

⁵Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:  Philippians 2:5, KJV. 

⁶ Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.  ⁷ And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.  Philippians 4:6-7, KJV. 

⁸Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.  Colossians 2:8, KJV. 

²Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.  Colossians 3:2, KJV.

⁷For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  2 Timothy 1:7, KJV.

⁸Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.  James 4:8, KJV.

⁸Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:  1 Peter 5:8, KJV. 

 

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