What is the difference between the soul and the spirit??

Answer 1

This is a somewhat difficult question. The Bible does not clearly define that there is a difference between a person’s soul and spirit. It seems that the terms are used synonymously at times. In other instances, “soul” is used to describe man’s basic worldly functions, and “spirit” is used when talking about his spiritual relationship with God.
It seems that man is likely made up of three distinct parts: body, soul, and spirit. The body is made up of flesh and can be touched. The soul forms the basic thought patterns and directs one’s functions. The spirit is in direct relationship with the Lord.

Answer 2

Though in today's language, even among scholars, the two words are synonymous, there is a difference in the original languages of the Bible.

In Genesis 2:7, we can see that God created a body for man, and then breathed into it a spirit (breath and spirit are often from the same root, or original language, word in the Bible), and THEN the body with the spirit became a soul.

So, biblically speaking, a soul is the functional combination of the body and the spirit.

This is supported in the New Testament, where Paul, the Apostle, tells us that there is a spirit in man that enables us to think and reason and know (but only carnal things):
1 Corinthians 2:11 -- For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.

And, as that verse leads into, people, need another spirit, the spirit of God, dwelling with their spirit to enter into life and godliness, to become a Christian, to know and understand the things of God:
Romans 8:14-16 -- For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit [of God] itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God

And when we die, the spirit is separated from the body
; that is, the soul becomes disassociated.
Ecclesiastes 12:7 -- Then the dust will return to the earth as it was, And the spirit will return to God who gave it.

But, at the end, when all judgment is complete, those who still have not changed their lives to live godly, their spirits, along with their bodies, will be destroyed in the Lake of Fire:
Matthew 10:28 -- And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul [Greek: 'psuche' -- spirit] and body in hell [Gehenna -- a metaphor for the Lake of Fire].

{Psuche -- Greek: 1. breath; 1a. the breath of life 1b. the vital force which animates the body and shows itself in breathing
(http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=5590&version=kjv)}

So, though most people use 'spirit' and 'soul' interchangeably, they are not the same. A living soul has a spirit, not the other way around.

Answer 3

The bible says that God blew into Adam's nostrils the breath of life and the man came to be a living soul. So to say the soul is simply the person and the spirit comes from the Hebrew word ru'ach basically means breath , so the spirit is
the life force

Answer 4

Question: "What is the difference between the soul and spirit of man?"

Answer: What is the difference between the spirit and the soul? The word "spirit," refers only to the immaterial facet of man. Mankind has a spirit, but we are not a spirit. However, in Scripture, only believers, those who are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, are said to be "spiritually alive" (1 Corinthians 2:11; Hebrews 4:12; James 2:26). Unbelievers are "spiritually dead" (Ephesians 2:1-5; Colossians 2:13). In Paul's writing the "spirit" was pivotal to the spiritual life of the believer (1 Corinthians 2:14; 3:1; 15:45; Ephesians 1:3; 5:19; Colossians 1:9; 3:16). The spirit is the element in man which gives him the ability to have an intimate relationship with God. Whenever the word "spirit" is used, it refers to the immaterial part of man including his soul.

The word "soul" refers not only to the immaterial part of man but the also material part. Unlike man having a "spirit," man is a soul. In its most basic sense the word "soul" means "life." However, the Bible moves beyond "life" and into many areas. One of those areas is to man's eagerness to sin (Luke 12:26). Man is naturally evil and his soul is tainted as a result. The life principle is removed at the time of physical death (Genesis 35:18; Jeremiah 15:2). The "soul" as with the "spirit," is the center of many spiritual and emotional experiences (Job 30:25; Psalm 43:5; Jeremiah 13:17). Whenever the word "soul" is used, it can refer to the whole person, alive or after death.

The "soul" and the "spirit" are similar in the manner in which they are used in the spiritual life of the believer. They are different in their reference. The "soul" is man's horizontal view with the world. The "spirit" is man's vertical view with God. It is important to understand that both refer to the immaterial part of man, but only the "spirit" refers to the man's walk with God. The "soul" refers to man's walk in the world, both material and immaterial.

Answer 5

Some teach that man is a trichotomy made up of body, soul, and spirit. The body is purely physical, the soul is the intellect, and the spirit is similar to the conscious.

Answer 6

Everyone is born with a soul. The spirit only comes from God and is given to you upon salvation. (We would all have a spirit if Eve had never eaten! They had a spirit, but lost it after eating the forbidden fruit.)

Answer 7

When the spirit is in our bodies of flesh it is called the soul, when it leaves the body it is considered to be the spirit again

Answer 8

The soul is Man's unique spiritual identity.

The spirit is the strength of that identity.

Answer 9

God has control of your soul, but not your spirit.

Answer 10

The spelling.