Body
In Nee/Lee’s tripartite anthropology, the body forms the third, outermost part of the person—the physical sphere through which the person perceives the world and acts. The body is the “flesh” domain in which the soul manifests itself and the spirit flows out.
Body in trichotomy: Spirit, Soul, Body
Nee/Lee place body as the third ring of human existence:
Man consists of three parts: spirit, soul, and body. The spirit is the innermost part, the soul is the middle part, the body is the outermost part.
Each part has its function:
- Spirit — contact with God (innermost)
- Soul — personality and consciousness (middle)
- Body — contact with physical world (outermost)
The body is not evil in itself, but it is also not the primary concern. It is the outer sphere in which soul expresses her feelings and will expresses her actions.
Body and flesh: distinction
Nee/Lee distinguish body from flesh:
The body is not the flesh. The flesh is the natural craving of the body. The body can be used for God, but the flesh works against God.
This distinction is practical: body is neutral (the instrument of existence), while flesh carries moral quality (natural desire, self-centeredness). When God’s life flows from spirit through soul to body, the body uses itself for God’s purposes. When flesh-desire dominates, body uses itself against God.
Body as expression of God’s life
In Nee/Lee spirituality, God’s life must not only occur in spirit and soul, but manifest itself in body. This is where faith becomes visible:
When God lives through us and we are completely available to Him, His life flows through all three parts: spirit (inner contact), soul (personal transformation), body (outer manifestation).
Body thus becomes the expression of spiritual life—not merely physical organism but moral-spiritual instrument.
The six organs of outflow
Nee/Lee see heart, conscience, emotion, mind, will as the five channels through which God’s life flows from spirit. Body is the arena where these channels express themselves:
Heart, conscience, emotion, mind, and will are channels through which God’s life comes forth. Body is the stage, the outer manifestation of all these.
When heart is defeated, conscience defiled, emotion uncontrolled, mind confused, or will stubborn—then God’s life cannot flow through body, and body remains in flesh-domain.
Body gaining and salvation
A paradox in Paul—and emphasized by Nee/Lee—is that the body must be embraced:
Paul said: “I pummel my body and make it a slave, so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:27). This does not mean the body is evil, but that it must be trained and brought under God’s purposes.
This differs from flesh-conquest. Body must be trained—not killed, but led by the spirit, used for God’s works rather than natural craving.
Source: Watchman Nee & Witness Lee, The Knowledge of Life (Living Stream Ministry, 1973), chapters 8–9.