The Soul as Life — The Spiritual Man

The Soul as Life

We have already seen that the soul is our original human life. That is, it is what enables us to live, to have vitality, to have the capacity for existence (all referring to the aspect of the body). Our soul is our life. In Genesis 1:21 and 1:24, the words “creature” and “living being” in the original text are both the word soul. Thus, the soul is the kind of life that we share in common with other animals. This life is the life we naturally possess as humans. Before we were born again, it was by this life that we lived in the world. This life is common to all people.

Greek lexicons tell us that the word psuchē in the original text means “the life of animals.” Therefore, the life of the soul is the same kind of life that the world regards as the life of animals. This life of the soul belongs to the natural realm. It is not necessarily sinful, since many of the sins of believers have already been overcome through the old self being crucified with the Lord. Yet, though not sinful, it is still merely natural. This life is human life—therefore it is very much “human.” If you think of what it means for a “man” to be “man,” this life is that fully human life. It may be good, lovable, or gentle, but it is still nothing more than “human.”

This life is altogether different from the new life given to us by the Holy Spirit at our rebirth. What the Holy Spirit imparts to us is God’s own uncreated life; this is man’s life. What the Holy Spirit imparts to us is a transcendent life; this is a natural life. What the Holy Spirit imparts to us is eternal zoē; this is psuchē.

Life is manifested through action. Life is the inward power in man that enables the members of the body to move. Human activity is the outward expression of this life. Behind all human activity lies this invisible power, which is the substance of life. All that we are by nature is contained in this life. This life is the life of our soul.