The death and resurrection of a human body as a thing distinct and separate from the intelligent being, is never mentioned in the Scriptures. We never read that Abraham’s body died, nor that Jesus’ body died, nor that any one’s body died.

Being signifies existence, and there can be no being or existence without both life and body.

Withdraw life and the being or existence ceases, for life is but a power or principle, the same in the lower animals as in man; the difference in qualities between man and the brute, consisting not in a different kind of life, but in a different kind of body.

Any being is properly called a soul or person. This is the Scriptural sense and usage of the word soul, so little understood; viz. Being (life and body combined.) Thus, we read of the creation of Adam – “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (ruach – the same breath said to be given to beasts, birds and fishes) and man became a living soul,” (being.) Gen 2:7.

We will cite a few illustrations of the Bible usage of the word soul showing that it signifies being:

Lev 5:2, “If a soul (being–person) touches any unclean thing he shall be unclean.” Verse 4, “If a soul (being) swears.” Verse 15, “If a soul (being) commits a trespass.”

Lev 22:11, “If the priest buys any soul (being) with his money.”

Prov 6:30, “If he steals to satisfy his soul (being) when he is hungry,”

Prov 27:7, “The full soul (being) loathes the honey-comb, but to the hungry soul (being) every bitter thing is sweet.”

Prov 19:2, “That the soul (being) be without knowledge is not good.” Verse 15, “An idle soul (being) shall suffer hunger.”

Luke 1:46, Mary said, “My soul (being) doth magnify the Lord.” Jesus said, “My soul (being) is exceeding sorrowful even unto death.”

Matt 26:38, “Thou shalt love the Lord… with all thy soul (being.)

Matt 22:37, The rich man said, “Soul (being–self) thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink and be merry. But God said (existence, being) will (cease) be required of thee.”

Luke 12:19, “For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul (existence, being,) or

“What can a man give in exchange for his soul (being existence.”) Matt 16:26.

How many illustrations of this scripture are furnished us in everyday life. Men and women labor for wealth, to gain as much as possible of the whole world only to find when they are rich that wealth has come at the expense of health. How many of those who spend their life in laying up earthly treasure, find that they’re very being – existence – has been sacrificed in gaining the wealth. Then what would they not give to get back again health, etc. They lavish their wealth upon physicians, traveling, etc., but it is of little use: They made a poor exchange when they gave their being for money.

In Acts 2:41. There were added to the church about 3000 souls (beings, persons.)

Acts 7:14 “He called Jacob and his kindred 75 souls,” (beings.)

Acts 27:37, “There were in all, in the ship, 276 souls,” (beings.) “Some purified their souls (beings – lived more purely) in obeying the truth.”

1 Pet 1:22 “The law of the Lord is perfect converting (changing) the soul” (being.)

Psa 19:7. Other souls (beings) were subverted, turned from the truth by error.

Acts 15:24, Other, unstable souls (beings, persons) were beguiled.

2 Pet 2:14. The word soul is used, also to represent the being’s affections. “O thou whom my soul (being’s affections) loveth. Cant 1:7. The soul of David (affections) was knit unto the soul of Jonathan…. (The two beings were united.)

1 Sam 18:1. [The word soul is used with reference to fish, fowl and beasts, as it is of man; to represent their being or existence, but is usually translated “life” in our Bibles as in Gen 1:20 and 30, etc.]

With this view of the meaning of the word soul, viz: That it includes all being or existence (a combination of life and body) let us inquire –

What dies – the principle of life, or the body?

We answer neither; the life principle is one which pervades all creation just as does electricity. This principle of life pervades and is an essential element of all being, in tree, in fish, in fowl, in beast, in man, in angels, and in the fullest degree in God who is its source or fountain. This principle cannot be said to die though if it be withdrawn from any creature to whom God has given it, that creature will die – cease to have being. Thus, the breath of life is taken from beasts, birds, fish and man.

Neither can it be properly said that the body dies, since, separate from the principle of life the body never had life and consequently could not die. The body without the spirit (of life) is dead and that which is dead cannot die.

WHAT THEN IS DEATH – WHAT DIES?

We answer, the being dies – ceases to have being or existence. Death is the dissolution, or separation of the things which combined, constitute being, – namely, life and body. Thus, when the spirit of life returns to God who gave it (all nature is His reservoir of life) then, the being is dead and soon the body will return to the dust from whence it was taken.”

We see clearly then, that not the body but the being – called in Scripture, soul, dies. Let us notice some instances in which this is stated in so many words: Job 31:39 (marginal reading) causes the soul of owners thereof to expire” – (dissolve, die.) “Their soul dies in youth, etc.” Job 36:14, margin “To deliver their soul (being) from death and to keep them alive in famine.” Psa 33:19.

He spared not their soul (being) from death (dissolution). “He keeps back his soul (being) from the pit“…(death.) Job 33:18. “He shall deliver his soul (being) from the grave.” Psa 89:48. “All souls (beings) are mine…the soul (being) that sins it shall die.” Ezek 18:4.

It was the soul (being) of Jesus which was given for our ransom. “Thou shalt make his soul (being) an offering for sin“….”He shall see of the travail of his soul and be satisfied.” “He hath poured out his soul (being) unto death.” Isa 53:10-12. But, (Acts 2:31.) His soul (being) was not left in hell,” (hades – the condition of death.) He was raised to being again but a being of a higher order – having a grander than human form–body. “Put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit.” And now we come to the point –

What will be raised up, in the resurrection? 

We will consider this question in our next post.