Scripture Folios
The Soul
He restores my soul.
The Soul as Physical Life and Survival
Genesis 2:7 Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being. Chapter Related Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Chapter Related Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Chapter Related Luke 12:20 But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’ Chapter Related John 10:11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. Chapter Related John 12:25 Whoever loves his life will lose it, but whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Chapter Related
The Soul as the Essential Self and Core Identity
Psalm 42:5 Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why the unease within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him for the salvation of His presence. Chapter Related Psalm 103:1 Bless the Lord , O my soul; all that is within me, bless His holy name. Chapter Related Matthew 16:25–26 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? Chapter Related Mark 14:34 Then He said to them, “My soul is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch.” Chapter Related John 12:27 Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it is for this purpose that I have come to this hour. Chapter Related Luke 1:46–47 Then Mary said: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Chapter Related Matthew 11:29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. Chapter Related
The Natural Soul and the Spirit
1 Corinthians 15:45 So it is written: “The first man Adam became a living being”; the last Adam a life-giving spirit. Chapter Related 1 Corinthians 2:14 The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. Chapter Related James 3:15 Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. Chapter Related Jude 1:19 These are the ones who cause divisions, who are worldly and devoid of the Spirit. Chapter Related 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your entire spirit, soul, and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Chapter Related Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it pierces even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Chapter Related
The Battle for the Soul and Total Devotion
Deuteronomy 6:5 And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. Chapter Related Matthew 22:37 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’” Chapter Related 1 Peter 2:11 Beloved, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from the desires of the flesh, which war against your soul. Chapter Related Matthew 10:28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Instead, fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Chapter Related Psalm 23:3 He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for the sake of His name. Chapter Related Hebrews 6:19–20 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus our forerunner has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever in the order of Melchizedek. Chapter Related 1 Peter 1:9 now that you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Chapter Related 1 Peter 2:25 For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. Chapter Related
The Hebrew nephesh and the Greek psychē both begin with breathing life. Adam becomes a living nephesh when God breathes into him, and the life of the flesh is in the blood. So the same Greek word can be translated “life” or “soul,” and English Bibles switch between them, sometimes in consecutive verses: whoever wants to save his life will lose it; what will it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? It is the self that can be lost or kept, the one a psalmist talks to when it is downcast, the one Jesus says is consumed with sorrow to the point of death. Paul, James and Jude use its adjective for a person running on natural life alone: the natural man, earthly wisdom, people devoid of the Spirit. The word of God divides soul from spirit, and Paul prays for spirit, soul and body together. The desires of the flesh war against the soul, and the great commandment asks for all of it. The good shepherd lays down his own psychē for the sheep, and the strays return to the Shepherd and Overseer of their souls.