Tag Archives: Spirit

“THE BODY OF SIN” (ROMANS 6:6) — PART TWO

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

[Continued from Part One] [QUESTION. What does Paul mean by the phrase “body of sin” in Romans 6:6? Is he referring to the physical body? And if so, in what sense is it a body “of sin”?] ANSWER. As we saw in the previous part of this essay, because of the effects of sin upon the two parts of our human nature, and because of the singular focus of regeneration at the time of conversion, the Christian is a combination of a redeemed soul and an as-yet-unredeemed body. As a result, the Christian life is an on-going conflict between the … Continue reading →

“THE BODY OF SIN” (ROMANS 6:6) — PART ONE

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

QUESTION. What does Paul mean by the phrase “body of sin” in Romans 6:6? Is he referring to the physical body? And if so, in what sense is it a body “of sin”? ANSWER. You have raised a question of crucial importance for our understanding of human nature as such, and especially for our understanding of the nature of salvation. In my answer I will draw from the entire section of Romans that includes chapters six through eight. When I wrote my commentary on Romans for College Press (2 volumes, 1996 & 1998; one volume condensed, 2005), I was surprised … Continue reading →

Is the Human Soul Inherently Eternal?

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

QUESTION. I heard an elder of a local church make the comment that he believed that our spirits are eternal, that they were in heaven before we were born and were given to us at conception. Does the Bible have anything to say about this? ANSWER. The first text that comes to mind is 1 Tim. 6:16, which says that God alone “has immortality.” To be eternal is to be inherently immortal, and only God possesses this quality. Thus to be eternal is to be God, or equal with God. This elder’s view is absolutely false. That the human spirit … Continue reading →

Is There a Difference Between Soul and Spirit?

Jack Cottrell Posted on by

Is There a Difference Between Soul and Spirit? by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 3:01pm QUESTION: Can you explain to me the difference between soul and spirit? I know the word “soul” is used in different ways, and means life or living being; and I know we have a spirit by means of which we relate to God (in prayer, worship, etc.). I know that they are connected but are not the same—so what is the difference? ANSWER: It is important first of all to distinguish between the WORDS “soul” (Heb. nephesh; Grk. psyche) and “spirit” … Continue reading →

A note on Psalm 105:18

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A note on Psalm 105:18 by Jack Cottrell (Notes) on Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 3:47pm A friend writes: “I was listening to a tape of Joyce Meyers. She read from her Bible Ps. 105:18, which is referring to Joseph. Her version said this: “The iron entered into his soul.” I tried to look it up in my Bible, and that version didn’t imply that meaning. Mine says ….his neck was put in irons. Now, I checked on Blue Letter Bible, and the only versions that listed it the way Joyce Meyers read it, is Young’s Literal Translation and Darby … Continue reading →