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Jehovah's Witnesses Passage Analysis

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Christians often use Matthew 10:28 as a proof text of the existence of soul distinct from man's body. The Jehovah's Witnesses, however, reject the existence of a soul distinct from the body. As a result, debates commence. Here is the verse from the New World Translation: “And do not become fearful of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Ge·henʹna.”

Although the second clause of this verse is relevant to the discussion, I will only discuss the first clause here.

The Christian reads this passage as follows: Even though the body can be killed, the soul still exists. If the body in synonymous with the soul, then if the body dies, the soul would likewise die. Therefore, the soul …show more content…

He, however, still sided with the Watchtower's position.

The Watchtower holds that this passage means that one should not fear those who can kill the body, but cannot kill the future prospects of life. Insight on the Scriptures explains this pass as follows:

While men can kill the body, they cannot kill the person for all time, inasmuch as he lives in God’s purpose (compare Lu 20:37, 38) and God can and will restore such faithful one to life as a creature by means of a resurrection. For God’s servants, the loss of their “soul,” or life as a creature, is only temporary, not permanent(Insight, Volume 2 p. 1007)

The footnote in the New World Translation suggests that soul that cannot be killed by those who kill the body, can be rendered “life” or “life prospects.” To render soul (psyche) as life would still support the Christian's exegesis. However, 'Life prospects' would be a rendering that would support the aforementioned passage from the …show more content…

The Greek Dictionary at the back of my copy of the Strong's Concordance renders this word (Strong's Number G5590) to mean “breath, ie. (by implication) spirit, abstract or concrete.” The Concordance's definition does claim this word is distinguished from pneuma (G4151), which refers to “the rational and immortal soul."1 But the point is that 'life prospects' is not a feasible translation. The Witness should take this into account, since they use the Strong's Concordance. At least, it was in the Library of the Kingdom Hall I recently toured.

Additionally, another online Greek dictionary does not suggest such a translation either.

Therefore, this is a perfect example of eisegesis, not exegesis, since the Jehovah's Witnesses must read something into the text in order to make it consistent with their position. The Christian, however, does not have to do this since the Christian believes that man is a soul that will live on after the death of his body and will be reunited with his body at the resurrection. Some will be granted eternal life in the presence of God, and some in torment away from the presence of God.

The difference is whether one repents and puts his faith in Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Triune God. If you haven't done this yet, do it now. Not only does God command it, but your eternal dwelling depends on

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