What does the following Bible quote mean?

Bible was originally written mainly in Hebrew and Greek. Often the soul is equated with the total person.” For instance, Genesis 2:7 states: “God proceeded to form the man out of dust from the ground and to blow into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man came to be a living soul.” The first man, Adam, was a soul. Consider Jesus’ words in John 10:11- “I am the fine shepherd; the fine shepherd surrenders his soul in behalf of the sheep.”Jesus gave his soul, or life, in behalf of mankind. So the verse states that man will not benefit if he has the riches of the world, all the popularity, but if he doesn't observe God's commandments or live the way of God, he will die or lose his soul. “The soul that is sinning—it itself will die.” (Ezekiel 18:4).

Matthew 16:25-26 (King James Version) 25For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 26For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? You can see that soul is equated with life. So Jesus is saying that there is no benefit to gaining the whole world if one loses is soul or life. Soul can also mean our future life. So our present life and our future life is more important than anything else. Notice the way another translation translates these verses. Matthew 16:25-26 (Amplified Bible) 25For whoever is bent on saving his [temporal] life [his comfort and security here] shall lose it [eternal life]; and whoever loses his life [his comfort and security here] for My sake shall find it [life everlasting]. 26For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life [his blessed [a]life in the kingdom of God]? Or what would a man give as an exchange for his [blessed] [b]life [in the kingdom of God]?

Hi redhotpogo, I would read this to mean that power, fame, riches and such are all of this world, you can't take them with you, and everyone leaves someday. On the other hand if we practice love and compassion towards our fellow humans, and spend our time working to leave this world better than we found it, we will have gained much in this sojourn here. We cannot lose our soul but we can lose in other ways if we waste the oportunities that life offers us in order that we might grow as spiritual beings.

In my experience, losing your soul is a term that refers to going to hell. The quote is saying that it is not worth sacrificing your beliefs for material things.

I kind of agree with "keep on watch". To me this passage means (in its most basic state) that I really lose myself when I try to gain the world. But if I lose my life in God (in Christ) I gain everything. I am not lost, and I find true wealth - which is knowing Him!

as for me the meaning of this is if you have all the material things here on earth money, house, car, gadgets, all new technology that money can buy, but you don't believe in God and Jesus and would not repent for all the sin you have committed your soul will not last for eternity...Godbless

That is simply talking about people that concentrate on making a lot of money rather than concentrating on God. They are in fact trading their soul for money. Art

Young's literal translation of the Bible puts the verse as follows: "...for what shall it profit a man, if he may gain the whole world, and forfeit his life?" I think what Jesus is saying is that eternal life with God is more valuable than whatever riches you gain while on earth.

It refers to being cast into hell. You lost everything.

It's sort of like Let's Make A Deal, you have three doors to choose from, but with God, his door is plain to see, so if you choose the door marked, with God's word, his treasure has to be behind the door, as for the other two doors, they are only marked with a ? mark. It's only one choice with God, but Satan pulls you in by giving you two choices. Both lead you to empty life.

Well the bible has all the answers to any questions of today if you seek you will find. The soul is a personal possession that can only be achieved through God, and anyone with worldly goods and wealth can only achieve what is here on earth. And people who want more from life seeks life, and joins in union with God for what God can give, through the soul, you will be the best you can be with life. And through worldly possessions you can only gain material goods and never be able to take it with you, when you die. God wants to give us total happiness but man can not serve two masters, so you can have it now, and lose your soul, or have it later for eternity. Can you imagine what it would be like to not ever get sick, or worry about how to pay your bills, or never to having to say your sorry, or having to go against your heart to gain material possessions. Which is better? to pay off credit for the rest of your life? or pay ounce and have it all free and clear. Credit provides a way for man to possess anything now, but you will pay back so much interest that you will have to work until you die, slaving for a living or living for life. Enjoy the life that God has given you, not the goods of this world that Satan has offered you for a penalty.

The soul right from birth until the end ferments in our body and turns matured. In maturity, it develops a kind of sweetness. God needs our matured soul for creating a new world. Those who run after worldly pleasure gains everything that this world has to offer, but their soul fails to gain maturity. On finding that the soul has not attained the required maturity God discards it. This is the meaning of gaining the whole world but loosing the soul.