Nicklaus:
Some biblical words like soul are contextual. If you want to understand it you follow the context. Soul in one sense could mean the body and the spirit and in another means only the spirit. It's that hard. I m glad you were able to figure it out. Don't get confused. Bless you.

paulGrundy:
Text in question: Matthew 10:28

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”

Proof texts: Matthew 10:28, Ezekiel 18:4, 20

Jesus Christ foretold persecution many times. He warned His hearers that persecution would accompany the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem. In Revelation, He warns future generations of the persecution they would face because of their faith in Him. He warns His church that at the close of history a time of trouble “such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time” will occur (Matthew 24:21). For God’s people to endure these times without wavering in their faith, Christ offered the words of encouragement we find in the text in question, Matthew 10:28. We understand, and believe, that our bodies may die, but our soul does not.

The problem here is twofold. First, the text contains a different message depending on the reader’s understanding of what constitutes a “soul.” Second, people who use this text to prove the existence of an immortal soul often fail to read the second part of the same verse.

If we read the same text with an understanding that a soul is the joining together of a body and the breath of God (see Genesis 2:7), Jesus’ words are a promise of a life to come even when this life ends. He promises that, although our bodies may be destroyed now, He will transform our mortal bodies into immortal/celestial bodies at the resurrection and that our souls will once again live. The text remains perfectly valid even with an understanding that humans “go to sleep” when they die, awaiting the resurrection day. Therefore, this text cannot be used to prove anything conclusive about the soul without further evidence.

Thankfully, further evidence does exist! And we need to read no further than the second half of the same verse to get clarification from Jesus. The entire text of Matthew 10:28 reads:

“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 and body in hell.” [Gehenna]

When we consider the second half of the verse, it becomes clear that the soul can, indeed, die. Further, it states that hell is the final destination of unrepentant souls. This calls into question the concept of eternal torment without end in hellfire, but that’s another topic.

Though we should always be willing to accept Jesus’ words as true, we can be comforted in knowing that His words are supported by the rest of the Scriptures. Jesus says that the soul can be destroyed and will thus die. We see the same thing stated twice in Ezekiel 18.

Ezekiel 18:4 records God as saying:

“Behold, all souls are Mine; The soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; The soul who sins shall die.”

Ezekiel 18:20 explains:

“The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself.”

The text in Matthew does, indeed, say that mankind can kill the soul. But the soul can also be destroyed in hell, and man does not have the power to send anyone there. That is a job that belongs only to the righteous Judge, the Almighty God.

Charism:


you are getting it wrong paul, dont let Jozzy4 confuse you. since you are implying that man is made up of a soul, are you implying that hebrews 4:12 is a lie?

Scripture outlines far more than just soul and spirit. Somehow, the soul, spirit, heart, conscience, and mind are connected and interrelated. The soul and spirit, though, definitely are the primary immaterial aspects of humanity. They likely comprise the other aspects. With this in mind, is humanity dichotomous (cut in two, body/soul-spirit), or trichotomous (cut in three, body/soul/spirit). It is impossible to be dogmatic. There are good arguments for both views. A key verse is Hebrews 4:12: “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” This verse tells us at least two things about this debate. The soul and spirit can be divided, and the division of soul and spirit is something that only God can discern. Rather than focusing on something we cannot know for sure, it is better to focus on the Creator, who has made us “fearfully and wonderfully” (Psalm 139:14).

paulGrundy:


what i think you dont get is that the soul and body mean the same thing. check out their greek meaning and usage.
The outer circle of our soul refers to our body. Our body is our outer part containing our five senses with which we contact all the things of the physical, material realm.

The middle circle is our sou. Proper. Containing our mind, emotion and will with which we contact all the things of the psychological realm.