Page 618 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

SON OF GOD - SOUL

kingdom of God has been given to this Man (Da. 7:13, SOUL. The word soul has various meanings in
14; Ep. 1:20-23; 1 Ti. 6:14-16). (4) All salvation is Scripture. (Every Bible word must be defined by its
through this Man (1 Ti. 2:5-6). [See Branch, Jesus context.) Sometimes soul refers to biological life in
Christ, Messiah, Son of God.] general. In this sense, the Hebrew word translated soul
SON OF GOD. This name of Jesus refers to His deity (nephesh) is used for animals (Ge. 1:20-24). But animals
and equality with the Father (Jn. 5:18; 10:31-33; Ph. are never said to have a soul like man has a soul.
2:5-6). “Son of God” is a reference to the Trinity—God Sometimes soul refers to the whole man (Ge. 2:7; Le.
the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Mt. 28:19; 2 Co. 17:12). Often, though, it refers to the immaterial part of
13:14). The Lord Jesus Christ is the unique Son of God, man that exists beyond death.
meaning He is alone in His special relationship to the The Soul Is the Immaterial Part of Man that Exists
Father. He is not like those who become children of God after Death. O.T. examples of the soul as an immaterial
through adoption. He is eternal, without beginning (Mi. part of the man are seen in Ge. 35:18 and 1 Ki.
5:2; Is. 9:6; Jn. 1:1). He created all things, and without 17:21-22. In Ge. 35:18, Rachel’s soul departed when she
Him was not anything made that was made, meaning died. In 1 Ki. 17:21-22, the boy’s soul departed when he
He Himself was not created (Jn. 1:3; Col. 1:16). He died and returned when he was raised from the dead. In
reveals God to men (Jn. 1:18). Christians become sons the N.T., the word “soul” is also used to describe a
of God through faith in Christ, but Jesus is forever spiritual part of man distinct from his body (Mt. 10:28;
higher and distinct from the believer (1 Ti. 6:14-16; He. 1 Th. 5:23; Re. 6:9).
7:25, 26). Even in eternity, He is on the throne, and His The Characteristics of the Soul. The soul thinks (Ge.
people serve Him (Re. 22:3). [See Branch, Jesus Christ, 49:6); it can sin (Le. 4:2); it can love God and keep His
Messiah, Only Begotten, Son of Man.] commandments (De. 6:5; 10:12; 11:13); it can meditate
SOOTHSAYER. One who claims to be able to foretell upon God’s words (De. 11:18); it can love a friend (1
the future; fortune telling; divination (Jos. 13:22; Is. Sa. 18:1-3); it can trust in God (Ps. 57:1; 63:1); it can
2:6; Da. 5:11; Mi. 5:12; Ac. 16:16). [See Witchcraft.] be chastened with fasting (Ps. 69:10). The soul is
SOPATER (savior of his father). Ac. 20:4. particularly associated with man’s feelings and desires.
SOP. A morsel (Jn. 13:26-30). The soul can be hungry (Is. 29:8), can experience
SOPHERETH (female scribe). Ne. 7:57. romantic love and friendship (Ge. 34:3; 1 Sa. 18:1-3),
can be discouraged because of difficulty (Nu. 21:4). The
SOPHIA. [See World Council of Churches.] soul can be “anguished” (Ge. 42:21), “dried out” (Nu.
SORCERY. The practice of witchcraft; wizardry; 11:6), “grieved” (Ju. 10:16; Job 30:25), “cast
magic; divination; enchanting; fortune telling (Ex. 7:11; down” (Ps. 43:5). The soul can “lust” (De. 12:15),
Is. 47:9, 12; 57:3; Je. 27:9; Da. 2:2; Mal. 3:5; Ac. 8:9, “long” (De. 12:20), and “thirst for God” (Ps. 42:2).
11; 13:6, 8; Re. 9:21; 18:23; 21:8; 22:15). [See What is the Difference between Soul and Spirit? The
Astrologer, Devils, Witchcraft.] “soul” is used in close association with the “spirit.” Job
SORE. (1) Intensely; severely; mightily; powerfully; was anguished in spirit and soul (Job 7:11). So in some
deeply; persistently (Ge. 20:8; 43:1; Ex. 14:10; Jud. cases the “soul” might be a synonym for the “spirit,” but
15:18; Lk. 2:9; Ac. 20:37). (2) Pain; hurt (Ge. 34:25). the N.T. makes a plain distinction between the two. It
SORE UPON. Heavily; intensely; severely; urgently; says that man has both a soul and a spirit (1 Th. 5:23),
mightily; persistently; aggressively (Ge. 19:9; Jud. and the soul can be divided from the spirit (He. 4:12). It
14:17). appears from Hebrews 4:12 that the the spirit can be
SOREK (generous vine). Ju. 16:4. conceived of as “inside” the soul as the marrow is inside
SORER. More sore; more severe (He. 10:29). the joints or bones. The soul is the “outer part” of the
inner, immaterial man. As we have seen, the soul is the
SORROW. [See Believe, Godly Sorrow, Happy, part of man that relates to the world. It lusts, hungers,
Heaven, Joy, Merry, Repentance, Suffering, Trials, loves, joys, fears, sorrows. It is emotional and affected
Tribulation.] by the environment and therefore unstable. The spirit of
SORT. Kind; manner (Ge. 6:19; 2 Ki. 24:14; Ac. man is also affected by emotions (2 Co. 2:13), but the
17:5; 2 Co. 7:11; 2 Ti. 3:6; 3 Jn. 6). spirit of man is the deepest part of man; it is that which
SOSIPATER (savior of his father). R. 16:21. communes with God. The spirit is where the Lord dwells
SOSTHENES (secure in strength). Ac. 18:17. in the believer and where He communes with us (Ro.
SOTAI (the Lord has departed). Ezr. 2:55. 8:16; 1 Co. 6:17; 2 Ti. 4:22). It is with the spirit that we
SOTTISH. Thick headed (Je. 4:22). seek God (Is. 26:9). It is by the spirit that we search the
heart (Ps. 77:6). The spirit is the candle of the Lord that
searches all the inward parts, which would include the

618 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity