FEAR THE ONE WHO CAN DESTROY YOUR SOUL
By Pastor Michael P. Brown

In the New American Standard Bible, Matthew 10:28 says, "And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul, but rather, fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."

The Greek manuscripts are interpreted this way: "Be not afraid of those who kill the body, but cannot destroy the [future] life; but rather fear Him who can utterly destroy both Life and Body in Gehenna." (Emphatic Diaglott) See the context: Matthew 10:26-33.

"Be not afraid." Jesus tells the disciples not to be afraid of those who can do them physical harm. Rather, God is the one who is mostly to be feared since he is the ultimate Judge. The trials and tribulations of this life are not worthy to be compared to the triumphs and joys of the future immortal life.

"Do not be afraid of those" compare with verse 26: "Do not be afraid of them" is found verbatim in the Greek Septuigant (Greek translation of the Old Testament), Numbers 14:9, "...do not fear the people of the land..." God will bring justice to those who are persecuted by the evil people of the land, for all things will be revealed when God's future judgement takes place. (Mark 4:21-23; Luke 8:16-17)

"Be not afraid of those who kill the body..." This hearkens back to those in the Old Testament to the present time of Christ who killed innocent persons for their faith.

On "kill the soul" (verse 28) see Ezekiel 13 where God expresses anger against his corrupt and perverted people, who "kill souls" of people who should not be put to death, but keep alive those who should be executed. For example, Ezekiel 13:19 says, "And for handfuls of barley and fragments of bread, you have profaned Me to My people to put to death some [literally, "souls"] who should not die..." (The Bible Knowledge Background Commentary)

This affirms the fact that "soul" (Hebrew, nephesh and Greek, psuche) means "life" and "living, breathing persons or creatures who possess that life." As it says, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," in reference to the present mortal life (Ezek. 18:4, 20). Souls live; souls die.

The phrase "...but rather fear Him" is referring to God, the Creator not only of this mortal life but the future eternal [Greek, aionian] life. "Life" and "soul" are interchangeable, including the future, immortal life that believers will "put on" when Jesus comes: Matthew 10:39 speaks of finding one's life or soul. Matthew 16:25 speaks of saving and losing one's life or soul. It stands to reason, therefore, that if you have an immortal soul already, you have no need to be concerned over whether you'll save it, find it, or lose it. This is not speaking of possessing a soul in this life but in being changed at the future resurrection when all believers will receive immortality at that time: 1 Cor. 15:50-59, "put on" means we don't have it yet, but will become "immortal souls or creatures" at that time. Resurrection, not death, is the time of our reward when dead souls [the faithful] will be raised from the sleep of death to become immortal, never-dying living souls [ref. Eternal life] (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Revelation 20:5-6).

In Matthew 10:28, Jesus is referring to the future life. But what about those who "do not fear Him"? That is, what about the people doing the persecuting, who do not obey and revere God's Word? They, too will be raised from the dead, to face God's judgement (Dan. 12:2): "Fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." This refers to God's future judgement upon the unjust. God is able to destroy not only the body but the [future] life of such persons. Revelation 20:11-15 gives a vivid description of the fiery judgement of these unbelievers.

Jesus infers this fiery judgement when he says, "...utterly destroy both life and body in Gehenna" [also called "hell"]. Gehenna. Several times "Gehenna" hell is mentioned in the Gospels (Matt. 5:22, 29, 30; 10:28; 18:9; 23:15, 33; Mark 9:43, 45, 47; Luke 12:5 and once in James [3:6]). The Valley of Gehenna or Hinnom was the city garbage incinerator outside of ancient Jerusalem. Rubbish, refuse, and dead animals were thrown into this valley to be consumed by the fire. The fire continued to burn as long as there was material for it to consume. The rubbish itself was consumed, but the fire burned continuously as long as there was additional rubbish to burn. It's also known as "the lake of fire" mentioned in Revelation 20:11-15. Notice they will be resurrected from death (Greek: hell, in this case, is hades, the grave where all dead "souls" go at death: Ecclesiastes 3:20: "...ALL go to the same place..."). (Systematic Theology, Huffer)

Gehenna represents the final destruction of the wicked in which they will lose all chances of ever living again (Psalm 37:18, 20; 145:20; Isa. 1:28; Mal. 4:1; Obadiah 16; Phil. 3:19; 2 Thess. 1:9; 2 Pet. 2:12; Matt. 3:12). Wicked souls (persons or creatures) will lose not only their lives (body) but any chance of inheriting eternal life (soul, or future life). Rev. 21:8 gives a list of who these persons will be. See also Galatians 5:19-21; Romans 1:28-32.

Contrary to traditional teachings, a soul is not a separate being apart from the body. Many have been misled concerning the soul and the nature of man down through the ages. Matthew 10:28 says nothing of possessing an immortal being. There is no such word as "immortal" found in the verse. Immortal beings are not subject to death. But souls that are able to be destroyed are subject to death, and therefore, are not immortal. Immortality can only be received [i.e., future life] upon the condition that one accepts Jesus as his Lord and Saviour: John 3:16; Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:1-11 [notice: resurrection just as Christ was resurrected].

Romans 2:7 says that we "seek for..immortality" which means we must not have it yet. But we look forward to that blessed Day of Christ's return: Romans 8:24. We are eagerly waiting to become immortal souls [ref. eternal life] when we receive "redemption of our bodies" at the coming of Christ. This is our hope.