What Is The “Inward Man”? – 2 Corinthians 4:16
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesA querist asks, In 2 Corinthians 4:16, Paul mentions the “inward man.” My question is, What is the “inward man” that Paul is referring to in this passage?
The text in 2 Corinthians 4:16 states:
“Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.“
The “outward man” in this passage is referring to the physical part of man that will eventually die (James 2:26; cf. 2 Corinthians 5:1; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 1:13-14).
The “inward man” in this passage refers to the spiritual part of man or “soul” of man (Matthew 10:28) — that part of man which contains the intellect, emotions, and will (i.e., Psalm 35:9; Psalm 42:11; Matthew 26:38; John 13:21; 2 Corinthians 8:12; 2 Corinthians 8:19).
That part of man that is accountable to God’s law (Romans 7:22-23) and is strengthened by it when properly studied and applied (cf. Acts 17:11; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 3:16; Ephesians 6:17; Colossians 1:9-11; Colossians 3:9-10; 2 Timothy 2:15 ASV; Hebrews 5:13-14).