Did Paul not get it?

HOG: Error or not?

Is it an error that word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit? Can it not divide them asunder?

HP: There has been much conversation as to whether or not we are dichotomous beings or trichotomous beings. Coupled with this there has been discussion on whether or not Scripture uses the words ‘spirit’ and ‘soul’ as two distinct entities, or if in fact the words are basically interchangeable. The most important issue that I have witnessed, a far more important issue than the dichotomous-trichotomous issue, yet tied inseparably to it, is the issue that part of us can be right with God whole the other part can be in active and even continuous sin. It has been stated that the spirit might well in fact be saved, while the soul remains sinful.

The dichotomous-trichotomous issue has been around for thousands of years. Long Apostle Paul ever penned the words, ‘soul and spirit’ in 1Thes. 5:17, Pythagorean and Platonic philosophy had promoted the idea of a separation of like kind. It is interesting to note that these heathen philosophers also promoted the notion that the soul life, the ‘psyche’ becomes extinct at death. (Sound all to familiar with some of the other notions being floated on this thread and others?)

One thing is clear, those so bent on holding onto this separation so tenaciously, seem more often than not, the ones trying to support the idea of a sinning religion, a life consisting of an eternal hope while in possession of an evil convicting conscience.

I cannot help but believe that the Apostle Paul knew full well of the same sentiments in his day, and that there were in fact those promoting such a sinning religion in his day as well. I believe it fully possible, if not probable, that the Apostle, understanding the contentious issue of the soul-spirit split, penned these verses as he did in order to cut through the fog of philosophical stumbling blocks to a holy life in this present world, utilizing words as he did to hold forth the truth that he desired without raising any thorny philosophical notions that could only cloud ones clear understanding of the real import of this whole issue. The real issue at hand here is NOT to set forth some separation of soul and spirit, for neither Paul or any other writer in Scripture EVER establishes any cognizable facts as to what any such seapration might consist of in understandable terms. He wrote in full understanding of the philosophical notions of his day, making mention of them yet overriding any false conclusions as to a sinning religion or part of man sinning while the other part remaining holy. He penned this verse in such a way as to drive home the real import of the message he desired all to hear, unimpeded from all self-serving philosophical assumptions held by men of his day. That message was perfectly clear. Man, in his entirety, wholly, should be sanctified and preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord and Savior, in this present world, no questions asked, all philosophical assumptions aside. He laid the axe to the tree of a sinning religion, and held that no matter how you decide to divide the psyche of man, or what you might call or categorize them as, or to what particular philosophical argument you wish to uphold, ALL parts are to be preserved wholly, and blameless unto the coming of our Lord.

The real question to each one of us should not concern the separation or the lack thereof between the soul and the spirit, but do we hear and understand the import of Paul’s message from God to us concerning the words, ‘preserved wholly,’ ‘ blameless,’ an ‘in this present world,’ regardless of how many parts we divide man’s inner self into? This is the real crux and heart of the message he desires us to understand. Do we have ears to hear?

 

In Acts 2 - it is David that "is in Hades" Which is the Grave. Acts 2 makes the case that Christ's body was not left in Hades to decay.

 

Getting back to 1Cor 9 and the OP

http://www.baptistboard.com/showpost.php?p=265359&postcount=52