Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 10:28 "Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. |
Bible Question:
That's a good question. The distinction between soul (psuche) and spirit (pnuema) is a completely separate matter, and others may have a better grasp of the distinction than I do. I guess I have a view (albeit not unalterable) that the soul (or psyche) is the central identity or existence of an individual, whereas the spirit (pneuma, breath, wind) is that which comes from God and carries life within it -- as when God breathed into man and he became a living soul. If God removes the spirit from a body, the body dies but the soul continues. If and when the breath of God leaves the soul, the soul (and the individual) ceases to exist altogether. Suffering in hell would, therefore, be eternal for all only in the sense that it would continue as long as the soul continued. However, those who have actively (in a "lambano" - Strong's 2983 sense of receiving him) taken hold of Satan and his beast as their leader will suffer forever with him according to Rev. 14:11. It appears to me from what I can see that this eternal sharing in the suffering of the devil and his angels is reserved only for those who have deliberately given themselves up in this way. In contrast, those who are given up to Satan in a more passive way (a "dechomai" - Strong's 1209 receiving of him) are eventually wiped from existence altogether. It seems to me that there is room for this explanation in the images given by Christ in Lk 12:47-48 of differing levels of punishment based on the degree of defiance shown. However, there seems to be such a strong tide of belief in eternal conscious punishment of each unbeliever amongst those teachers and congregations who are biblically solid (even to the point of including it in some of their basic creeds) that I hesitate to hold too firmly to such an idea (as the annihilation of most unbelievers) without seeking testing from a forum such as this (as well as elsewhere). |
Bible Answer: Matthew 10:28 "Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. AMPLIFIED Matthew 10:28 And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna). Thank you for your excellent research, I have spent some time following your search. I am certainly not intending to be flipent (oh for a spell check) but consider that the Scriptures tell us a great deal about the power, might, love of our God what if the following: - "Rather fear Him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell." speaks of the power of God to do if He would though does not tell us that He necessary will. I too am not quick to speak for the annihilation of most of the unbelieving. I am also not so presumptious as to assume that just because I count myself as a believer that he will not say to me "Depart from me 'I never knew you." Matt. 7:23 my paraphrase. Rainbow Maker |