Psyche, Pneuma, Soma and Sarx Word Study: Part 1, A Tripartite Anthropology

For some things I've been working on, I've been looking into the distinctions between the Greek words psyche and pneuma in the New Testament. Going down that rabbit hole soon drew in the Greek word soma. And pulling in soma dragged in the word sarx. So, by the time the dust settled, I was looking at all the connections and contrasts between these four words: psyche, pneuma, soma and sarx. In this series I'll be gathering up and sharing my notes.

This whole journey started by doing a little digging into what has been called the "tripartite anthropology" we see hinted at or assumed in the New Testament. 

What is the tripartite anthropology?

Well, it might be best to start by contrasting it with the dualistic anthropology most Christians tend to work with. Specifically, we tend to think that the human person is composed of two things, body and soul. Trouble is, there are two Greek words used to describe the transmaterial and supranatural aspects of human persons. These words are psyche and pneuma. Psyche is the word generally translated as "soul," and pneuma is the word consistently translated as "spirit." 

For the most part, we assume that psyche and pneuma are synonymous and can be used interchangeably. Our soul and our spirit are the same thing. If so, we have a dualistic anthropology, a [soul/spirit] and a [body]. The Greek word for body is soma.

And yet, there are Biblical texts that seem to posit a tripartite division, making a three-fold distinction between psyche, pneuma and soma. Ground Zero of the tripartite anthropology is 1 Thessalonians 5.23:

May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit [pneuma], soul [psyche] and body [soma] be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

Of course, it would be foolish to build an entire theological anthropology upon a single, allusive text. (As if that has ever stopped anyone.) But there are some pretty clear cut texts that make a distinction between psyche and pneuma, soul and spirit. For example:

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul [psyche] and of spirit [pneuma], of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

In short, the New Testament imagination appears to posit a distinction between soul and spirit. If so, we have in front of us a tripartite vision of human persons. We are comprised of soma, psyche, and pneuma. Body, soul, and spirit. Which raises the intriguing question: How are soul/psyche and spirit/pneuma different from each other? And could those differences be theologically helpful in thinking about various puzzles I've been pondering?

That was the question that sent me deeper into this word study.