What is the difference between a body, a spirit, and a soul?

THE BODY

The body is the physical expression of our being. It is always mortal and it dies at the time of our physical death. This is so obvious as to not need supporting documentation.

THE SOUL

The soul is our mind, our personality, that which makes us “us”. The soul is mortal and will die the second death after judgement, unless it is “saved” and becomes immortal to live in the presence of God forever.

“And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; but rather be afraid of Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Gehenna).” —Matthew 10:28 (AMP)

“I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works]. Then death and Hades (the state of death or disembodied existence) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s [name] was not found recorded in the Book of Life, he was hurled into the lake of fire.” —Revelation 20:12–15 (AMP)

THE SPIRIT

The spirit is the force that makes inanimate matter alive. It is immortal, but it is impersonal, and it returns to its source (God) upon our physical death.

“Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being.” —Genesis 2:7 (AMP)

“Then shall the dust [out of which God made man’s body] return to the earth as it was, and the spirit shall return to God Who gave it.” —Ecclesiastes 12:7 (AMP)

THE TRINITY

While the angels/demons have souls and spirits, but no bodies, and the other animals have bodies and spirits, but no souls to save, we are the only critters created in God’s triune image, with all three—body (Son), soul (Father) and Spirit.

As written by Rob Yost on Quora