“For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and thoughts of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
Hebrews 4:12 offers an opportunity to consider the words “soul” and “spirit” as they apply to the human person. We can begin with a look at the word “spirit” as mentioned in the passage quoted above.
When used in a Biblical context, the word “spirit” finds its origin in the Old Testament Hebrew word “ruach” and the New Testament Greek word “pneuma.” In fact, a remnant of the word “pneuma” remains today in the form of the word “pneumatic” as it relates to an automotive tire, air tool, or gas. In a larger sense, this word is used to express the idea of a breeze, a gust of wind, an air current, or the act of breathing.
Much like the movement of air through various places, the human spirit is also invisible and immaterial. Thus, the word “spirit” is used to represent the intangible part of every human being that remains following the death of his or her physical body. Once that physical separation occurs, the Biblical book of Ecclesiastes tells us, “…your spirit will return to God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7-8 NCV).
The New Testament word for soul is the Greek word psuche, a word survives today as the root of such modern-day words as psychology or psychoanalysis. In this context, the soul refers to the human being as an individual personality. It also conveys an emotional component that encompasses the things we love, hate, or feel indifferent about.
In this context, the soul embodies our talents, skills, and abilities, including those we inherently possess and others we have developed. In addition, the human soul incorporates our will, intellect, and everything that serves to distinguish an individual human being from every other human who has lived or ever will live. Therefore, we can associate the soul with the “you” inside your body.
This helps explain why human beings are more than simply human machines. Unlike a piece of software that is written and programmed to respond in a certain manner, the soul represents the element that uniquely identifies every individual human person. Thus, it also enables every individual human being to enjoy a unique relationship with his or her Creator that differs from that of every other human being.