Is man a triune being?

[biscuit1953]

Hebrews 4:12

New King James Version (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

division of soul and spirit. "These terms do not describe two separate entities (any more than "thoughts and intents" do) but are used as one might say "heart and soul" to express fullness (cf. Luke 10:27; Acts 4:32).  Elsewhere these two terms are used interchangeably to describe man's immaterial self, his eternal inner self."  (The McArthur Study Bible)

I have always understood that just as God is a trinity so is man but McArthur seems to teach that man is only made up of a body and spirit with soul being synonymous with spirit.  In 1 Thessalonians 5:23 he says that there is no division of soul and spirit rather they are used as other texts use multiple terms for emphasis (Mark 12:30). 

 

[Ransom]

I tend to agree with MacArthur.

If for no other reason than it seems clear to me that "soul" and "spirit" are frequently used interchangeably. Also, no two people seem able to tell me consistently what the difference is between them.

Incidentally, the word is "tripartite" rather than "triune." There is only one triune being in existence - meaning one being existing in three persons - and that is God.

 

[HereIStand]

Sometime ago, I read Augustine's On the Trinity in which he argues that man is made in the image of the God, or in the image of the Trinity. Genesis 1:26 ("Let us make man in our own image...") is one text that cites in support of this argument. However, Augustine argues the image of the trinitarian God in man can only be understood by way of analogy in terms of memory, understanding, and will.

Memory, as Augustine explains it, is remembering yourself or the kind of person God intended you to be, not remembering something that happened in the past. Understanding is the knowledge of faith. And will is the ability to act on it.

 

[Timotheos]

Just a word of caution.  Triune implies 3 persons (whos) and 1 essence (what) (assuming orthodox trinitarianism).  That term would not be appropriate to a person.  You are asking about humans being tripartite, 3 whats but only 1 who.  I surely hope you are not asking if humans are 3 persons but 1 essence.

 

[biscuit1953]

My terminology was wrong.  I was basically asking if man is a trinity as in body, soul and spirit.  I guess he may not be as I had always assumed.