What does the Bible say about the soul?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that the soul is the life and inner person God gives, who belongs to Him, is accountable to Him, and needs His saving grace. Genesis 2:7 describes humanity as formed from dust and made living by God’s breath, while Ezekiel 18:4 stresses that every soul belongs to God and answers for sin. Jesus warns in Matthew 10:28 that God alone has final authority over both body and soul. At death, the body returns to dust and the spirit returns to God who gave it, as Ecclesiastes 12:7 says. Through Christ, God restores sinners, and His Word equips His people for holy, whole-person living (James 5:20; 1 Thessalonians 5:23; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Top passages, ranked by readers
Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Matthew 10:28
Don't be afraid of those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who is able to destroy both soul and body in Gehenna.
- Genesis 2:7
Yahweh God formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.
- James 5:20
let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sins.
- Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins, he shall die.
- Ecclesiastes 12:7
And the dust returns to the earth as it was, And the spirit returns to God who gave it.
- 1 Thessalonians 5:23
May the God of peace himself sanctify you completely. May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
[16] Every writing inspired by God is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction which is in righteousness, [17] that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
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