Note 2 at Mt. 22:37: The English word "soul" comes from the Greek word "psuche," translated "heart, life, mind, and soul." The scripture tells us the soul needs knowledge (Prov. 2:10; 19:2; 24:14); it knows (Ps. 139:14); it considers and counsels (Ps. 13:2); remembers (Lam. 3:20); chooses (Job 7:15); refuses (Job 6:7); it seeks (1 Chr. 22:19); it binds or makes a decision (Num. 30); it loves (1 Sam. 18:1; Ps. 42:1; Song 1:7); hates (2 Sam. 5:8; Ps. 107:18); has joy (Ps. 86:4; Isa. 61:10); grieves (Jud. 10:16); and desires (Dt. 14:26; 1 Sam. 20:4).

These scriptures best reveal the mind to be the principal and leading part of the soul followed by the will and emotions. We could also describe the soul as being the hidden part of all existing beings or what most people would call the personality. The soul is the center of the feelings and emotions, appetites and desires, as well as sense perception and consciousness (1 Sam. 30:6; 2 Sam. 13:39; 2 Ki. 4:27; 23:3; Ps. 107:5,9,18,26; Mt. 26:38; Mk. 12:33; Jn. 12:27; Heb. 4:12; 10:38).

The soul may also speak of the totality of a person -- his total being or self (Lk. 12:19; Acts 2:43; 3:23; 1 Pet. 3:20). The New Testament usage of the Greek word may be analyzed as follows: the natural life of a man's body (Lk. 12:22; Acts 20:10); the invisible or immaterial part of man (Mt. 10:28; Acts 2:27); the disembodied portion of man (Rev. 6:9); the seat of personality which perceives, reflects, desires, and feels (Mt. 11:29; Lk. 1:46; 2:35; Acts 14:22); the center of the will and purpose (Mt. 22:37; Acts 4:32); the center of appetite and desire (Rev. 18:14); the totality of a person (Acts 2:41,43; Rom. 2:9; Jas. 5:20; 1 Pet. 3:20; 2 Pet. 2:14); and the hidden man or inward man (Lk. 21:19; 1 Pet. 2:11; 3 Jn. 2).

The soul and the body do not get born again (see note 2 at Jn. 3:3, p. 48). It is the spirit of man that becomes totally new at salvation (2 Cor. 5:17). So, although every believer receives the same miraculous spiritual rebirth, the visible results of that inward change will vary from person to person according to how much he renews his mind (Rom. 12:1-2).