Is the human soul mortal or immortal?
The human soul is certainly immortal. The Bible makes clear in a variety of passages that the soul is the immaterial part of a human being that lives on beyond this earthly life.One of the most famous psalms speaks directly to this issue: "Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever" (Psalm 23:6). The inspired psalmist knew that after his life in this body had ended, his soul would dwell with God forever (see also Psalm 22:26; 49:7-9).
Ecclesiastes 12:7 says, "the spirit returns to God who gave it." God is the Giver of life, and He receives the soul at the end of life.
The New Testament speaks frequently about everlasting life or eternal life (John 3:15-16). Jesus spoke of those who would inherit eternal life (Matthew 19:29) and of those who would experience eternal punishment (Matthew 25:46).
The soul is mentioned more than 250 times in Scripture. Often, it is described as existing beyond physical life. When David's infant son died, David said, "But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:23). David knew that, even though his son's earthly life had been brief, his soul would endure eternally.
Second John 1:2 also makes reference to people living forever: "because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever." The believer possesses the truth of Christ not only in this life, but also for eternity.
The eternality of the soul is something Jesus clearly addressed, and He provided a way for the soul to spend eternity with Him: "whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).
Do we have a body, soul, and spirit? Are we made of two parts or three? Dichotomy or trichotomy?
What is the difference between the soul and the spirit?
What does it mean that humanity is created in the image of God?
What is annihilationism? Is it biblical?
Is reincarnation biblical?
Truth about Humanity
