Is there a reference in The Greek Scriptures which teaches us about spirit, soul, and body?

 

Yes. The teacher is none other than Yeshuah.

Yeshuah tells the true story about a man He knew, whose name was Lazarus (not the one He raised from the dead, whose sisters were Mary and Martha). It is found in Luke 16:19-31 KJV (comments and emphasis are our own).

“There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.

“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.

“And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.

“But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

“Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.

“Abraham saith unto him, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

“And he said, nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.

“And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.” KJV*

What makes this important to us is that their statements and actions are those of real people, as Yeshuah says, “There was a man and there was a certain beggar,” therefore, He indicates the story is not a parable.

We learn that when they die, they find themselves in the heart of the Earth, in Hades[1]. The rich man is in the place of torment and Lazarus, the beggar, is in a different place which is named here, Abraham’s Bosom. “Bosom of Abraham refers to the place of comfort in Sheol (Hebrew) or Hades (Greek) and is where Hebrew Scriptures teach that the righteous dead awaited Judgment Day.[2]” This is very similar to what we read in 1 Samuel in “Soul Series, Part 4.”

Since it isn’t specifically mentioned here, we can safely assume that the rich man’s and Lazarus’ bodies are still on Earth, somewhere buried in graves. It is also safe to assume that their personal spirits went back to Heaven above, to God who gave them. Remember Ecclesiastes 3:21.

The rich man is in torment and recognizes Lazarus’ soul in Abraham’s Bosom. The rich man can see Lazarus and hear Abraham. There in the passage we learn that the rich man understands he possesses the capability of tasting, but isn’t permitted a drop of water. The rich man, Lazarus and Abraham, can also reason, feel remorse, and make decisions. This is apparent in that the rich man asks that his brothers be forewarned of the perils in their lives.

We learn from Yeshuah’s own mouth that each retained the same faculties as those we use every day here on Earth, as previously presented.

We will continue our study in the next article, “Soul Series, Part 6 (Holy Place)”

^* Comments, revisions and emphases are our own.

[1] Hades is the Greek word meaning a place for departed souls. It is usually translated Hell in English.

[2] Direct quote from Wikipedia, “Bosom of Abraham”, 2015.