Tripartite, Bipartite, Appetite

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1Th 5:23

For centuries, theologians and Bible scholars have engaged themselves in the petty debate over the exact nature of the composition of Man. Are we tripartite beings made up of three parts (Spirit, Soul, Body)? Or are we bipartite, made up of only two parts (Spirit/soul and body)? Typical of such historical squabbles, both sides have scriptures to back their respective stands.

You’ll notice, interestingly, that both parties consistently keep the BODY separate. As though it was obviously not part of the equation. Nevertheless, these distinctions are moot. I’ve never seen a Spirit-Soul-Body walk into my office; and your neighbour that said “Hello” to you this morning was definitely not a Spirit/soul-Body.

Man is Man wherever you find Him – whether here, or in eternity. Adam sinned and brought death into the world, causing a time when the body is left behind. But 1 Corinthians 15 explains that God will give us another body in eternity. So clearly, the body is an integral part of Man. Jesus didn’t only die for the Spirit; or for the soul; He died for the Body as well. As a matter of fact, His passions at the crucifixion started with provisions for the body: the stripes for its healing (Is 53:5; Jn 19:1).

Spirituality does not have to mean the neglect of the Body. Your body is as just a part of the salvation package as any other part of you is; the sooner we acknowledge that, the smoother our Christian walk will be. That’s why Paul in 1Th 5:23 (squashing the whole tripartite/bipartite brouhaha?) says his prayer is that we are sanctified WHOLLY – spirit, soul, body. 

For you are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. – 1Co 6:20.

AMEN.

More Blessings await you today; you’ll not miss them in Jesus’ Name.

GREG ELKAN