The Doctrine of Man

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The word man is found 2737 times in Scripture. Several Hebrew and Greek words are translated man with various meanings, including Adam, male, husband, mortal, mighty man, and a human being.

  1. Man’s creation:
    • Inner man created (Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 5:1-2).
    • Body formed of dust (Genesis 2:7; Genesis 3:19).
    • Made in God’s own bodily image. Hebrew: tselem (OT:6754), shape, figure, physical form (Genesis 1:26,27; Genesis 5:3; Genesis 9:6; Numbers 33:52; 1 Samuel 6:5,11; 2 Kings 11:18; 2 Chron. 23:17; Psalm 73:20; Ezekiel 7:20; Ezekiel 16:17; Ezekiel 23:14; Amos 5:26).
    • Made in God’s own bodily likeness. Hebrew: demuwth (OT:1823), model, shape, similitude, resemblance (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 5:1,3; Isaiah 40:18; Ezekiel 1:5,10,13,16,22,26,28; Ezekiel 8:2; Ezekiel 10:1,10,21-22).  The Greek: eikon (NT:1504) confirms the idea of physical image and likeness (Matthew 22:20; Romans 1:23; 1 Cor. 11:7; 1 Cor. 15:49; 2 Cor. 4:4; Col. 1:15; Hebrews 10:1; Rev. 13:14-15; Rev. 14:9,11; Rev. 15:2; Rev. 16:2; Rev. 19:20; Rev. 20:4).
      • Neither Deut. 4:15 nor any other scripture does away with the physical form of God. Just because Israel did not see any form when God spoke is no proof that He is bodiless and without form any more than someone else who might be heard and whose body is not seen.  Many in Israel did see God’s body (Genesis 18; Genesis 32:24-30; Exodus 24:9-11; Joshua 5:13-15; Judges 6:11-23; Judges 13:3-23; 1 Chron. 21:16-17; Job 42:5; Isaiah 6; Ezekiel 1:26; Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 10:5-6; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4:2-5; Rev. 5:1-7; etc.)  See Anthropomorphism.
      • There is no question that man was made in the likeness of God in soul and spirit (Ephes. 4:22-24; Col. 3:10), but this does not do away with the bodily image and likeness of God, as in all the above passages. All angels and spirit beings have bodies as well as souls and spirits.
      • Even resurrected human bodies are called spiritual (1 Cor. 15:42-44), yet they will also be material (Luke 24:39; Phil. 3:21). Misunderstanding of this subject comes from not knowing what spirits are like.  See The Spirit World.
    • The body is wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). It consists of various chemicals-iron, sugar, salt, carbon, iodine, phosphorus, lime, calcium, and others.  The body has 263 bones; 600 muscles; 970 miles of blood vessels; 400 cups on the tongue for taste; 20,000 hairs in the ears to tune in to all sounds; 40 pounds of jaw pressure; 10,000,000 nerves and branches; 3,500 sweat tubes to each square inch of skin (or 40 miles long); 20,000,000 mouths that suck food as it goes through the intestines; 600,000,000 air cells to the lungs that inhale 2,400 gallons of air daily; and a communication network that relates to the brain instantly any known sound, taste, sight, touch or smell.  The heart beats 4,200 times an hour and pumps 12 tons of blood daily.
    • Man’s soul is the seat of the emotions, passions, desires, appetites, and all feelings.
    • Man’s spirit is the seat of the intellect, will, and conscience. It is capable of all divine powers only in a lesser degree.  See Spirit.
    • The inner man, consisting of soul and spirit, is eternal. See note, 1 Peter 3:4.
    • Man was made a little lower than angels (Psalm 8:5; Hebrews 2:7).
    • He was created sinless, but capable of sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12-21; 1 John 3:4).
    • He was made a three-fold being-body, soul, and spirit (1 Thes. 5:23; Hebrews 4:12).
    • His flesh differs from all other creatures (1 Cor. 15:39).
    • Both male and female are represented in man (Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 5:2; Matthew 19:4).
    • Material and spiritual natures of man are clearly distinguished in Scripture, as follows:
      • Soul and spirit not dust (Genesis 2:7).
      • Spirit leaves body at death (James 2:26; Luke 8:49-56; Luke 16:22; Luke 23:43; Acts 5:10; 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:3-4; Phil. 1:21-24; Hebrews 12:23; 2 Peter 1:13-15; Rev. 6:9-11; 1 Kings 17:20-22; Job 14:10; 2 Samuel 12:19-23; Eccles. 12:7).
      • Soul and spirit are in man’s body, but are not the material of the body (Job 14:22; Job 32:8; Proverbs 20:27; Zech.12:1; 1 Cor. 2:11; 1 Cor. 7:34).
      • The body can be killed but not the soul (Matthew 10:28; Luke 12:5).
      • The spirit can be willing; the flesh powerless to execute (Matthew 26:38-41).
      • Both flesh and spirit are to glorify God (1 Cor. 6:20).
      • Both flesh and spirit can be filthy or holy (2 Cor. 7:1).
      • The inner man is eternal; the body mortal (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
      • The inner man is fully conscious after leaving the body (Matthew 10:28; Matthew 17:3; Luke 16:19-31; Luke 20:38; John 11:25-26; Acts 2:27; Ephes. 3:15; Ephes. 4:8-10; 2 Cor. 5:8; 2 Cor. 12:1-4; Phil. 1:21-24; Hebrews 2:14-15; Hebrews 12:23; note, 1 Peter 3:4; Rev. 6:9-11).
      • The spirit and soul are not the breath (Job 34:14-15). To prove this try substituting breath for spirit and soul in scriptures and see how ridiculous it is.  Try this with Psalm 19:7; Psalm 106:15; Luke 12:19; Acts 23:8-9; Romans 2:29; 2 Cor. 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:5>; 2 Cor. 7:1; Galatians 5:25; 1 Thes. 5:23; Hebrews 4:12; Hebrews 10:38-39; Rev. 6:9-11.
      • Souls can be dead while the bodies are alive (Matthew 8:22; Ephes. 2:1-9; 1 Tim. 5:6; Rev. 3:1).
      • Souls of the righteous have eternal life even after the body dies (John 3:16; John 5:24; John 6:47,53,63; John 11:25-26; John 14:19).
      • Souls of the wicked are also conscious after the body dies.
      • Resurrection of the dead refers to the bodies coming to life again, not the souls (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29; 1 Cor. 15:35-54; Rev. 20:11-15).
      • Souls of the righteous go to heaven at death (2 Cor. 5:8; Ephes. 3:14-15; Phil. 1:21-24; Hebrews 12:23; Rev. 6:9-11). Their bodies go to graves (Daniel 12:2; John 5:28-29).
      • Souls of the wicked go to hell while the bodies go to the grave (Isaiah 14:9; Luke 16:19-31; Rev. 20:11-15).
      • The body is the house of the inner man (Job 4:19; Job 14:22; Job 32:8; Zech.12:1; 1 Cor. 2:11; 2 Cor. 5:1-8; Phil. 1:21-24; 2 Peter 1:13-15). The soul and spirit design; the body executes.  Man through his body has consciousness of the material world; through the soul, self-consciousness; and through the spirit, consciousness of God.
      • Man has a body but he is not just a body; a soul but he is not just a soul; and a spirit but he is not just a spirit being (1 Thes. 5:23).
      • Man has a will, making him in every sense a free moral agent and a responsible being (John 3:16; John 7:17; Romans 7:18; 1 Cor. 7:36-37; 1 Cor. 9:17; 2 Peter 1:21; Rev. 22:17).
      • The body can be put off and put on again (2 Cor. 5:1-8; 2 Peter 1:14). This requires a separate inner man from the body itself.
      • Souls are now immortal (note, 1 Peter 3:4); bodies are not.
  1. Man on probation:
    • Given dominion over the earth and other planets (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:3-8; Psalm 72:8)
    • Commanded to multiply and replenish the earth formerly plenished by the pre-Adamites (Genesis 1:26-28; cp. Genesis 9:1)
    • Given responsibility to tend the garden and to keep out all enemies (note, Genesis 2:15)
    • Given full liberty but with one restriction (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-3)
    • Given eternal life and glory on condition that he not sin (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 3:23)
  2. The fall of man (Genesis 3):
    • Man was created sinless, but capable of sin or transgression of law (Genesis 2:16-17; 1 John 3:4).
    • Tempted by Satan through the serpent (Genesis 3:1-8; 2 Cor. 11:1-3).
    • Eve was deceived to commit sin, not Adam (Genesis 3:6; 1 Tim. 2:14).
    • Sin was a voluntary act of the will, but instigated from without (Romans 5:12-21). There was no sin in human nature. Inbred sin is the spirit and nature of the devil working in men (note, 2 Cor. 5:17).
    • Sin came through a denial of the divine will and the elevation of the will of man over the will of God (Genesis 2:16-17).
    • Sin came through unbelief of God’s Word (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:4-6).
    • Sin came through rebellion against God’s Word (Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3;1-8).
  3. Effects of the fall-man became:
    • Separated from God (Isaiah 59:2)
    • Depraved in nature (Ephes. 2:1-3)
    • Ignorant and blind (Ephes. 4:18)
    • Evil in conscience (Hebrews 10:22)
    • Corrupt and deceitful in heart (Jeremiah 17:9; Mark 7:19-21)
    • Obstinate and rebellious (Acts 7:51; Romans 8:7; Isaiah 28:14)
    • Evil in thoughts (Genesis 6:5)
    • Lustful and ungodly (John 8:44; Romans 7:5-23; 1 Cor. 6:9; Galatians 5:19)
    • Dominated by Satan (John 8:34,44; Ephes. 2:2; 1 John 3:8)
    • Servants of sin (John 8:34; Romans 1:18-32; Romans 6:16-23)
    • Dead in sin (Ephes. 2:1-9)
    • Doomed to eternal hell without God or hope (Psalm 9:17; Matthew 25:46; Romans 6:23; Ephes. 2:12; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15)
    • Short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23)
    • Subject to suffering and death (Genesis 3:17-19; Romans 8:21-23)
    • Cursed by God to hard labor (Genesis 3:11-24)
    • Mortal, imperfect, and weak (Job 4:17-21; Psalm 39:4-5; Psalm 103:14-15; Matthew 6:27; Galatians 6:3)
    • Universally sinful (Romans 3:9-23)
    • Sinners by birth and practice (Psalm 51:5; Romans 5:12-21; Ephes. 2:1-3)
    • Children of the devil (Matthew 13:38; John 8:44; 1 John 3:8-10; 1 John 5:19)
    • Subject to sickness, disease, pain, and all present evils of earth (Exodus 15:26; Deut. 28:15-68; John 10:10; Acts 10:38; Rev. 21:3-7;22:3)
    • Short-lived. Life is compared to:
      • A pilgrimage (Genesis 47:9)
      • Water spilled on the ground (2 Samuel 14:14)
      • Wind (Job 7:7)
      • A passing cloud (Job 7:9)
      • A weaver’s shuttle (Job 7:6)
      • A shadow (Job 14:2; Psalm 144:4)
      • Flowers that fade away (Job 14:2; Psalm 103:15; Isaiah 40:6-8; James 1:10; 1 Peter 1:24; cp. note, Psalm 90:5)
      • Grass that dies (Psalm 37:2; Psalm 90:5-6; 1 Peter 1:24)
      • Green herbs that wither (Psalm 37:2)
      • Nothing (Psalm 39:5)
      • A dream (Psalm 73:20)
      • Sleep that is soon over (Psalm 90:5)
      • Vanity (Psalm 144:4)
      • A vapor (James 4:14)
  1. All this will end in the New Earth (Rev. 21:3-7; Rev. 22:3-5). Brevity of life can be lengthened by obedience and faith. There is no set day for man to die (Exodus 20:12; Psalm 91; Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 9:11; 1 Cor. 11:30; Ephes. 6:2; 1 Peter 3:10-11).
  2. God’s appraisalof man:
    • God has given the revelation of Himself, His creation, and His plan for man, so that man might know his origin, present responsibility, and destiny. The Bible is the record of this revelation (2 Tim. 3:16; Hebrews 1:1; Hebrews 4:12).
    • God appraises man as the highest of creation. Man is worth:
      • Making him lord of creation (Genesis 1:26-31; Psalm 8:3-8).
      • All the millenniums of effort to redeem him (Hebrews 1:1-3; 2 Peter 3:9).
      • More than the whole world (Mark 8:36).
      • Giving of God’s only begotten Son to redeem him (John 3:16; Rev. 22:17).
      • Restoring to his original dominion as eternal ruler of creation (Daniel 7:18,27; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
      • Trusting with eternal authority and life to help God administer the affairs of the universe (Romans 8:17-18; Rev. 2:27-28; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
      • Placing him on an equal basis with Jesus Christ in redemption-as to righteousness (1 John 3:7), provision by promise (1 Cor. 3:22-23; 2 Cor. 1:20; Hebrews 8:6), nature (2 Peter 1:4), works (John 14:12), inheritance (Romans 8:17), sufferings and future glory (Matthew 10:24-25; Romans 8:18; 2 Tim. 2:12; 1 Peter 2:21; 1 Peter 4:1; Rev. 2:26-27; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
      • Making provision for body, soul, and spirit, here and hereafter. See New Testament Promises.
  1. Man’s part in redemption:
    • Man is commanded to repent and obey the gospel (Mark 1:15; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 13:3,5). See New Testament Commands.
    • Man has a part in the new birth, salvation, the continuation of Christian life, works, and conformity to the gospel (Col. 2:6-7; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 2 Peter 3:18).
  2. Man’s destiny:
    • Man charts his own destiny by his conformity or nonconformity to the gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 13:3,5).
    • Eternal life with God in heaven and on earth is the destiny of those who conform to truth (John 14:1-3; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Rev. 5:10; Rev. 22:4-5).
    • Eternal hell and punishment is the destiny of those who refuse to obey truth (see Hell; Isaiah 66:22-24; Matthew 25:41,46; Mark 9:43-49; Luke 12:5, note; Rev. 14:9-11; Rev. 20:11-15).

Finis J. Dake, Dake Topical Index, WORDsearch CROSS e-book, Under: “Man, The Doctrine of”.

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