Q&A Home > S > Soul and Spirit

I would appreciate clear definitions of soul, body, and spirit, and the official doctrine of the Church on this matter.

The body, "sooma" in Greek, is an organized system, formed by the creative energy of God out of the dust of the earth; composed of bones, muscles, and nerves; of arteries, veins, and a variety of other vessels, in which the blood and other fluids circulate.

The soul, "psuchee" in Greek, is the vital principle, the animal life, or the seat of the senses, desires, affections, appetites; we have in common with other animals. It pertains to the nature of the animal creation, though more perfect in some animals than in others, but in all is distinct from the spirit or soul as the seat of conscience, and as capable of moral agency.

The word spirit, "pneuma" in Greek, refers to the intellectual or higher nature of man; that which is the seat of reason, of conscience, and of responsibility. This is immortal. It has no necessary connection with the body, as animal life or the psyche has, and consequently will be unaffected by death. It is this, which distinguishes man from the brute creation; and allies him with higher intelligences around the throne of God.

Frequently the term soul is used in place of the word spirit and this is what causes the confusion. The soul, as defined, is mortal and dies once it is separated from the body. Only the spirit is immortal. This is what the Coptic church teaches.