The Tripartite Man The Tripartite Man

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE



WATCHMAN NEE (1903-1972)

In Watchman Nee’s book The Christian Life and Warfare originally published in 1927, he clearly demonstrates from 1 Thessalonians 5:23 that man has three parts.



The Word of God does not divide man into two parts, the soul and the body. Rather, it divides man into three parts: the spirit, the soul, and the body. First Thessalonians 5:23 says, “Sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete.” This verse clearly shows a distinction between the spirit and the soul. Otherwise, it would not have said, “Your spirit and soul,” but rather, “Your spirit-soul.” Since God has said this, we can see that there is a distinction between man’s spirit and his soul. From this we can conclude that man is divided into three parts—the spirit, the soul, and the body. (7)
The Tripartite Man

A complete person has a spirit, a soul, and a body

The Tripartite Man

The first chapter of Watchman Nee’s book The Spiritual Man is entitled “The Spirit, The Soul, and The Body.” Here, Nee further emphasizes and elaborates on the fact that man is composed of three parts.

First Thessalonians 5:23 says, “The God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete.” This verse clearly divides a person into three parts: the spirit, the soul, and the body. Here the apostle mentioned the believers being sanctified “wholly.” This means that the whole being of the believers is to be sanctified. What did he mean when he said that a person is to be sanctified wholly? He meant that a person’s spirit, soul, and body are to be preserved complete. This is very clear; a complete person has a spirit, a soul, and a body. (3)
Main
Scriptural Basis
Historical Perspective
The Definition of the Three Parts of Man
The Functions of the Three Parts of Man
God's Salvation
Realizing the Body Life