Genesis 2:7 Commentary
THOMAS SCOTT COMMENTARY
Verse 7. The Creator’s skill was manifested, in forming so exquisite a structure as the human body of such mean materials. Yet the Lord not only gave man life in common with the other animals, which had bodies formed of the same materials; but immediately communicated from Himself the rational soul, here denoted by the expression, of “breathing into his nostrils the breath of lives (plural).” Thus “the first Adam became a living soul:” but man by the fall having become dead in sin, in infinite mercy, “the second Adam, the Lord from heaven,” became “a quickening spirit,” and, by the communication of the Holy Spirit, He restores divine life, and renews the divine image.—It is remarkable that Jesus, after His resurrection (with apparent reference to this expression), “breathed upon His disciples, and said, Receive ye the Holy Ghost.” (Marg. Ref.)
THOMAS HAWEIS COMMENTARY
Verse 7: Man’s formation is more particularly taken notice of, the different parts of his composition, and the effect of their union by the hands of the Almighty.
1. His body is formed of the dust of the ground. Man in innocence had much to humble him, when he could look upon the earth under his feet, and call it mother. He was but dust of dust: but how much more cause hath fallen man to be humble, when he is not only of dust, but must return to the dust again. It is ignorance of our original, and forgetfulness of our end, that leads us to high thoughts of our vile and sinful selves.
2. The Spirit is immediately from God: He is the Father of spirits, and forms them in a capacity for, and with a view to, the enjoyment of himself. How debasing then, to fix a heaven-born soul on earthly vanities? Whither should the god-like spirit aspire, but after him whose breath kindled it, in communion with whom is its only proper happiness?
3. The union of body and soul makes the living man. The body, when created, however beautiful, was dead and useless of itself. The body, when the spirit leaves it, is now loathsome and detested. Let us then weigh the value of both, that we may learn to prefer the better part.
4. The whole is God’s work, whether body or soul: and both therefore should be devoted to his glory. The body, as well as the soul and spirit, should be presented to him a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable, which is our reasonable service. Happy they, who by daily delightful experience prove, that they are God’s offspring, by glorifying him thus in their body, and in their spirit, which are his.
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