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NASB | Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart. |
Subject: Is man a 'triune' creature? |
Bible Note: Dear JVH0212, Sorry it took so long to get back to you on this. I wish I could say that I have been studying furiously to find a good answer, but I've just been busy with other things. I do not have 'the' answer, just 'an' answer. With all due respect to John MacArthur, I disagree with his opinion on this issue. Again I cite Hebrews 4:12, and 1Thessalonians 5:23. In addition, "At night my soul longs for Thee, Indeed, my spirit within me seeks Thee diligently; For when the earth experiences Thy judgments The inhabitants of the world learn righteousness." Isaiah 26:9 NASB. I think that man is at least two parts is obvious to all. The body, that is 'of the earth,' and perishable. Then the spirit, which is the part 'in the image of God.' Then we have the soul, a capricious part, a 'switch-hitter' that seems akin to the spirit at times, and swayed by the flesh at others. It encompasses our emotions and thoughts, and is similar to other created things (animals). This is why we can 'rationalize' sin. Hebrews 4:12 would be telling us that by rightly dividing the two, we can 'pull' the soul toward God. Satan would like to allow our souls to be more affected by the flesh, so creates lies that deceive our 'unstable' portion. In answer to another question, this would mean that prior to salvation, our spirit is lost, but our spirit is 'born again' to new life in Jesus. I don't think that we are 'spirit-less,' and then given one. Rather, the spirit that was fallen by the sin of Adam, was regenerated. Though I am sure there are 'academic' problems with this scenario, it does solve many weak areas of 'pure theology.' Let me know what you think. (without 'blowing a gasket' :-) In Christ Jesus, charis |