Dimensions of Man

 The dimensions of man were first given in the Holy Bible in the book of Genesis:

Genesis 2:7, KJV.

Man is thus composed of a physical, viewable, measurable construction and a non-physical breath-of-life of un-quantifiably complete content.  And the man became a living soul.  The description of man as a soul is repeated in the saving of Noah’s family from the flood:

1 Peter 3:20, KJV.

Neither of the above quotes indicate that man has a soul – rather man is a living soul!  Intuitively one, I believe, questions the duality of being a soul and having a soul.  What is the “breath of life?”  How are the spirit, mind, and heart functions and qualities related to man, breath-of-life, and his soul?  As study of the Scriptures is pursued this ambiguity is troubling to me.

Searches on the internet for a satisfying graphical depiction of the above relationships have not been very successful.

 

Christian Views on the Soul and Spirit

Zondervan academic writings describe three main Christian views on the soul and spirit.

1. Three parts: body, soul, and spirit – trichotomy.
2. Two parts: body and soul – dichotomy.
3. One part: the body – monism.

 

Body, Soul, and Spirit?

Are the dimensions of man fully expressed in three components – spirit, soul, and body?  What about “the breath-of-life?”  Are spirit, breath of life, and soul interchangeable?  How do the heart, mind, and breath-of-life fit into the human design and life cycle?  Is the brain a part of the body or of the mind, both, or something else?  Resolution of these questions could dispel some of the confusion in study of the Scriptures.  Jesus adds additional dimensions to those of Genesis 2:7 when he answered a Pharisee about the greatest commandment in Matthew 22:37-38.

 Matthew 22:37-38, NKJV-The Jeremiah Study Bible.

In Hebrews additional dimensional ambiguity is presented:

Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

 

Bible Verses Related to Body, Soul and Spirit⁵

Genesis 2:7, KJV.

Exodus 31:14, KJV.

Leviticus 17:11, KJV. 

Numbers 14:24, KJV.

Job 14:12, KJV.

Psalms 16:9-10, KJV.

Psalms 34:18, KJV. 

Psalms 51:10, KJV. 

Psalms 104:29, KJV.

Psalms 115:17, KJV.

Psalms 146:4, KJV.

Proverbs 11:30, KJV.

 Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, KJV.

Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV.

Ezekiel 11:19, KJV. 

Ezekiel 36:26, KJV. 

Jeremiah 38:16, KJV. 

Ezekiel 18:4, KJV.

Daniel 12:2, KJV. 

Matthew 10:28, KJV.

Matthew 26:36-38, KJV.

Luke 8:52-56, KJV.

Luke 23:46, KJV.

John 5:25, KJV.

John11:11-14, KJV.

Romans 6:23, KJV.

Romans 8:5-6, KJV. 

1 Thessalonians 5:23, KJV.

2 Timothy 1:7, KJV.

2 Timothy 4:22, KJV.

Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

James 1:21, KJV.

1 Peter 1:22, KJV. 

1 Peter 3:20, KJV.

2 Peter 2:14, KJV. 

 

Bible Verses Related to the Heart⁵

Proverbs 4:23 perhaps provides an encompassing view of the heart: “Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.”

1 Samuel 16:7, KJV.

Job 14:12, KJV.

Psalm 16:9-10, KJV.

Psalms 34:18, KJV. 

Psalms 51:10, KJV. 

Proverbs 3:5, KJV.

Proverbs 4:23, KJV.

Proverbs 21:2, KJV.

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, KJV.

Jeremiah 17:9, KJV.

Jeremiah 17:10, KJV.

Ezekiel 11:19, KJV.

Ezekiel 36:26, KJV.

Matthew 5:8, KJV.

Matthew 15:18-20, KJV.

Mark 7:21-23, KJV. 

1 John 3:20, KJV.

Acts 13:22, KJV.

Philippians 4:6-7, KJV.

1 Timothy 1:5, KJV. 

Hebrews 4:12, KJV.

James 4:8, KJV.

1 Peter 1:22, KJV. 

2 Peter 2:14, KJV.

 

Bible verses related to the Mind⁵ 

Dr. David Jeremiah in his publication, “The Jeremiah Study Bible¹³, NKJV” page 1304, addresses the use of parables by Jesus in his teaching.

The two wisest men who ever lived—Solomon and Jesus—shared a unique trait: they were both master teachers who employed word pictures to convey truth.

No wonder people love to read the proverbs of Solomon and the parables of Jesus.  Solomon’s proverbs are actually an early, simplified form of parables.

Thirty-five parables, or short stories, of Jesus are recorded in the four Gospels.

Someone has defined a parable as an earthly story with a heavenly meaning. 

This use of parables to illustrate heavenly truths not comprehended by the human mind provides understanding.  It also illuminates the range of the human mind from the simplicity and potential of earth to the complexity of things not revealed.  Study of the following Bible verses should aid in understanding of the mind. 

Job 14:12, KJV.

Psalms 119:15, KJV.

Psalms 146:4, KJV.

Ecclesiastes 9:5-6, KJV.

Isaiah 26:3, KJV.

Romans 8:5-6, KJV.

Romans 12:1-2, KJV.

2 Corinthians 5:17, KJV.

2 Corinthians 10:5, KJV.

Philippians 2:5, KJV. 

Philippians 4:6-7, KJV. 

 Colossians 2:8, KJV. 

Colossians 3:2, KJV.

2 Timothy 1:7, KJV.

James 4:8, KJV.

1 Peter 5:8, KJV.