When Scripture says we are created in God's Image, it does not mean God looks like us (a most carnal theory), for God in essence is Spirit (John 4:24). We are like God in creative personality - having intellect, sensibility, and will. Many believe this likeness also refers to the Trinity: God is One in essence, but 3 in "Person" (the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit). A person also is a trinity of sorts, although the parallel is not exact. Many like to stress that a human being is composed of material (body), and immaterial (soul, spirit, mind, ect.) parts: this is a valid distinction.
In Thessalonians 5:23, the *Apostle Paul identifies among 3 of a large whole. People always put the body first and spirt last … **Elohim's order, however, is just the opposite - as Paul points out: these are not merely distinctions without a difference. Each part or element of the whole must be separate in some way.
If, as many believe, there is a comparison (the act of evaluating two or more things by determining the relevant, comparable characteristics of each thing, and then determining which characteristics of each are similar to the other, which are different, and to what degree) with the Holy Trinity … a Christian's spirit obviously would parallel the ***Ruach HaKo'desh, the Christian Body would parallel the Son - Who assumed human flesh (and human spirit and soul, as well): this leaves the Christian soul to parallel the Father … assuming the comparison is valid.
Spirit (pneuma) has the same double meaning in both the Old Covenant (Testament) & the New Covenant: the Hebrew rûaħ or ruach, a word meaning "breath, spirit" & the Greek pneuma, a word that we translate into English as “spirit,” “breath,” or “unseen force” mean the same thing. This explains ****Yeshua's play on words (way of using a word or phrase so that more than one meaning is suggested) in John 3 in His discussion on being born again = born from above by the Spirit, and the wind blowing where it wills.
The spirit is that part of humans that makes us different from animals.
The spiritual aspect of human beings is most important. Our #Christian spiritual growth and knowledge will last for all eternity.
Soul (psyche /ˈsaɪki = seye-kee) refers to the mind, soul, or spirit, as opposed to the body = spawned from the Greek psukhē 'breath, life, soul'. The main usages of psyche are soul (in its many meanings, including 'person'); when Yeshua talks of soul salvation, He is talking about how many people will be saved, and the rewards that come from living for God.
We are so used to using "saved" for eternal salvation, and "soul" for the personality that will live forever … that we miss the meaning in some contexts of "make the most of your life [psyche] for the Lord." Saving our souls from Hell is fundamental. If we are not Believers we cannot serve Elohim acceptably. However, since psyche also refers to our personality and our life on earth, we must also make the most of our lives so that we can have some reward for our labors, in the ##Day of Christ.
Body (soma). The word 'soma' comes from the Greek 'σῶμα', meaning 'body'. There is far too much stress on the body in Western culture: bodybuilding, fitness craze, health food fads, and the cosmetic treatments to improve physical appearance. in reacting to this, however, we should not swing to the opposite extreme and neglect the body - or even call it evil, as some of the ancient Greeks did. The human body is a masterpiece of divine engineering and should be properly maintained for health to serve God and our fellow man. In the resurrection (in 1 Corinthians 15, as in the Gospels and Acts, the resurrection is understood as the miraculous revivification of the mortal body of flesh and bones, and its transformation so as to be imperishable), Believers will receive perfect bodies with none of the weaknesses of mortality (the time from birth until physical death).
For our own tripartite (three distinct components: body, spirit, and soul relating to one distinct entity) personalities we can do no better than repeat Apostle Paul's prayer: "Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely: and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ".
********************
1 THESSALONIANS 5
Description of The Day of The Lord - (vv. 1 thru 11 )
"But concerning the times and the seasons, brethren, you have no need that I should write you (Matthew 24:3). For you yourselves know perfectly well that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night (2 Peter 3:10). For when they shall say, "Peace & safety!" … then sudden destruction comes upon them as labor pains upon a pregnant woman; and they shall not escape (Isaiah 13:6-9 & Hosea 13:13). But you, brethren, are not in darkness - so that this Day should overtake you like a thief (1 John 2:8). You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep (a condition of body and mind in which the eyes are closed, the body deeply relaxed, the activity of the brain altered, and consciousness of the surroundings practically suspended = to stop something from being active, either temporarily or permanently), as others do, but let us watch (an act or instance of carefully observing someone or something over a period of time; exercise care, caution) and be sober (self controlled = characterized by seriousness and lack of excess; living with a single-minded focus). For those who sleep, sleep at night (period of darkness) - and those who get drunk (affected by alcohol to the extent of losing control of one's thoughts or actions; drunkenness can affect a person's judgment: symptoms after heavy drinking include slurred speech, incoordination = unequal in rank, order, or importance, and mood and behavior changes. Sometimes, coma can occur = a state of being that is similar to a very deep sleep, except no amount of sounds or physical prompts can kickstart the brain to become awake and alert) are drunk at night. But let those of us who are of the day (a period of light; Sonshine) be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet - the hope of salvation. For Elohim did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through ****Yeshua Ha'Mashiach (Romans 9:22), Who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort (a person or thing that makes someone feel less worried, upset, frightened, etc. = action, not an emotion) one another and edify (to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge : uplift. also : enlighten, inform) one another, just as you also are doing.
Instruction for Holy Living (vv. 12 thru 28)
And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor (work hard physically = make great effort; the process of birthing = gaining new converts; discuss something at length = teaching, giving knowledge) among you, and are over (at a higher level in knowledge) you in the Lord and admonish (bring to mind = refresh; to caution or reprove gently = to warn) you, and to esteem (to regard as honorable or valuable) them very highly in love for their work's sake. Be at peace among yourselves (Mark 9:50). Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly (the rebellious = those who refuse Church counsel or teaching), comfort the faint-hearted (lacking conviction; or boldness, or courage), uphold (to support; to sustain; to keep from falling; to maintain = to aid by approval or encouragement) the weak, be patient (the ability to endure difficult people and situations without giving into anger or giving up hope) with all (Galatians 5:22). See that no one renders (gives; puts forward) evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue (go after; seek to do) what is good both for yourselves, and for all (Galatians 6:10). Rejoice (to feel great delight; to be glad) always (2 Corinthians 6:10), pray always (Ephesians 6:18), in everything give thanks; for this is the Will of Elohim in Christ Jesus, for you. Do not quench (to extinguish, to suppress, to cool) the Ruach HaKo'desh (Ephesians 4:30). Do not despise (hating something; the feeling that a person or a thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn = to mock) prophesies (1 Corinthians 14: 1 & 31). Test (Hebrew word nasah, translated "tested" in Genesis 22:1, has the idea of proving the quality of something, usually by putting it through a trial of some kind) all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain (to hold one' s self off = to stop) from every form (the shape or the appearance of something) of evil (that which is opposed to God, that which is the opposite of God, and that which is contrary to God). Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify (set apart as or declare holy; free from sin = purify; make legitimate or binding) you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved (to keep alive, intact, or free from decay; to keep or save from injury or destruction = to defend from evil) blameless (cannot be accused of wrongdoing before people or Elohim) at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1:8-9 & 1 Thessalonians 3:13). He, Who calls you is faithful, Who also will do it (1 Corinthians 10:13 & Philippians 1:6). Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle (a long, formal letter = a prescribed format and in a covenant format) be read to all the holy brethren. The grace of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach be with you. Amen (the basic meaning of the Semitic root from which it is derived is “firm,” “fixed,” or “sure,” and the related Hebrew verb also means “to be reliable” and “to be trusted.” The Greek Old Testament usually translates amen as “so be it”; in the English Bible it has frequently been rendered as “verily,” or “truly.”)."
*Apostle Paul = known as Saul before he converted to Christianity (Acts 9), was the chief killer of Christians following Yeshua’s death, resurrection, and ascension – being the foremost witness to the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7).
The Apostle Paul was one of the most influential leaders of the early Christian Church. He played a crucial role in spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (non-Jews) during the first century, and his missionary journeys took him all throughout the Roman empire.
**Elohim (Hebrew: אֱלֹהִים, romanized: ʾּlōhīm: [(eloˈ(h)im]) is a Hebrew word meaning "Gods – Father, Son, & Holy Spirit". Although the word is plural in form, in the Hebrew Bible it usually refers to a single deity “Behold, the Lord – the Lord is One”, particularly the God of Israel.
***Ruach HaKo'desh (Hebrew: רוח הקודש, "holy spirit" also transliterated roo-akh-qodesh); spirit, breath, or wind of Elohim. The spirit of prophecy which comes from Elohim: a divine inspiration giving man an insight into the future and into the will of God.
****Yeshua Ha’Mashiach: is Hebrew for “Jesus the Messiah”; the name Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name Yeshua.
Christ (from the Hebrew word, Ha’Mashiach ישוע המשיח & the Greek word, Christos/khris-tos) = The Anointed, Yeshua the Messiah, in both languages.
Lord Jesus Christ (in Greek: Kyrios Iēsous Christos) = the most formal title for Jesus (Yeshua). It occurs often in the New Testament letters.
The word “Lord” has a wide range of uses; it can be a simple respectful “Sir” or a more formal, “Master.” But the New Testament also uses “Lord” of God. The word “Christ” is the anglicized form of the Greek word meaning “anointed one” or “Messiah.” “Lord Jesus Christ” reminds us that Jesus is both the promised Messiah and our God.
#Christianity is faith in Jesus Christ (Yeshua Ha'Mashiach) as Lord & Savior; Redeemer, and Deliverer, through Whom eternal salvation is given. In context, faith refers both to the believers' act of trust and to the content of their faith. Christianity is more than a system of religious belief - it is a Lifestyle wholly contingent (dependent on, or conditioned by) the personhood (the quality, or condition of being an individual) of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach.
##Day of Christ = The 'Day of our Lord Jesus Christ' seems to describe the completion of salvation (in all three tenses = past, present, & future) for Church Age Believers = the Body of Christ. This will happen at The Rapture, our blessed hope (Titus 2.13).
**1 Thessalonians 4: https://roadgypsiesvalandholland.blogspot.com/2024/01/1-thessalonians-chapter-4thursday-bible.html
