Bible Dictionaries
Man

Man was created by the immediate hand of God, and is generically different from all other creatures (Genesis 1:26,27; 2:7 ). His complex nature is composed of two elements, two distinct substances, viz., body and soul (Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7; 2 co 5:1-8 ).

The words translated "spirit" and "soul," in 1 Thessalonians 5:23 , Hebrews 4:12 , are habitually used interchangeably (Matthew 10:28; 16:26; 1 Peter 1:22 ). The "spirit" (Gr. pneuma) is the soul as rational; the "soul" (Gr. psuche) is the same, considered as the animating and vital principle of the body.

Man was created in the likeness of God as to the perfection of his nature, in knowledge (Colossians 3:10 ), righteousness, and holiness (Ephesians 4:24 ), and as having dominion over all the inferior creatures (Genesis 1:28 ). He had in his original state God's law written on his heart, and had power to obey it, and yet was capable of disobeying, being left to the freedom of his own will. He was created with holy dispositions, prompting him to holy actions; but he was fallible, and did fall from his integrity (3:1-6). (See FALL .)