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It all sounds foolish to them and they can’t understand it, for only those who are spiritual can understand what the Spirit means. <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/2.htm">English Standard Version</a> The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because spiritually they are discerned. <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/2.htm">King James Bible</a> But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/nkjv/1_corinthians/2.htm">New King James Version</a> But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/nasb_/1_corinthians/2.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/2.htm">NASB 1995</a> But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. <a href="/nasb77/1_corinthians/2.htm">NASB 1977 </a> But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. <a href="/lsb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> But a natural man does not accept the depths of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually examined. <a href="/amp/1_corinthians/2.htm">Amplified Bible</a> But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters]. <a href="/csb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> But the person without the Spirit does not receive what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. <a href="/hcsb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God&#8217s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually. <a href="/asv/1_corinthians/2.htm">American Standard Version</a> Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. <a href="/cev/1_corinthians/2.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> This is why only someone who has God's Spirit can understand spiritual blessings. Anyone who doesn't have God's Spirit thinks these blessings are foolish. <a href="/erv/1_corinthians/2.htm">English Revised Version</a> Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. <a href="/gwt/1_corinthians/2.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the teachings of God's Spirit. He thinks they're nonsense. He can't understand them because a person must be spiritual to evaluate them. <a href="/gnt/1_corinthians/2.htm">Good News Translation</a> Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. Such a person really does not understand them, and they seem to be nonsense, because their value can be judged only on a spiritual basis. <a href="/isv/1_corinthians/2.htm">International Standard Version</a> A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the things of God's Spirit, for they are nonsense to him. He can't understand them because they are spiritually evaluated. <a href="/net/1_corinthians/2.htm">NET Bible</a> The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/nheb/1_corinthians/2.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> Now the natural person does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/wbt/1_corinthians/2.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The unspiritual man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged.<div class="vheading2">Majority Text Translations</div><a href="/msb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/web/1_corinthians/2.htm">World English Bible</a> Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him; and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_corinthians/2.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> and the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to know [them], because they are discerned spiritually; <a href="/blb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand them, because spiritually they are discerned. <a href="/ylt/1_corinthians/2.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know them, because spiritually they are discerned; <a href="/slt/1_corinthians/2.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: and he cannot know, for they are spiritually examined.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined. <a href="/cpdv/1_corinthians/2.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> But the animal nature of man does not perceive these things that are of the Spirit of God. For it is foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand it, because it must be examined spiritually. <a href="/nabre/1_corinthians/2.htm">New American Bible</a> Now the natural person does not accept what pertains to the Spirit of God, for to him it is foolishness, and he cannot understand it, because it is judged spiritually. <a href="/nrsvce/1_corinthians/2.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_corinthians/2.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For the material man rejects spiritual things, for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/1_corinthians/2.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> For a selfish man does not receive spiritual things, for they are madness to him, and he is not able to know, for they are known by The Spirit. <div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/1_corinthians/2.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> But an animal man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he can not know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/godbey/1_corinthians/2.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> But the intellectual man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/haweis/1_corinthians/2.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are folly to him: and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/mace/1_corinthians/2.htm">Mace New Testament</a> but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/wey/1_corinthians/2.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> The unspiritual man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged. <a href="/worrell/1_corinthians/2.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> But a natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged. <a href="/worsley/1_corinthians/2.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. <a href="/parallel/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/g-wZWoK_LZU?start=395" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_corinthians/2.htm">Spiritual Wisdom</a> …13And this is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14<a href="/greek/1161.htm" title="1161: de (Conj) -- A primary particle; but, and, etc."></a> <a href="/greek/5591.htm" title="5591: Psychikos (Adj-NMS) -- Animal, natural, sensuous. From psuche; sensitive, i.e. Animate.">The natural</a> <a href="/greek/444.htm" title="444: anthrōpos (N-NMS) -- A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being.">man</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.">does not</a> <a href="/greek/1209.htm" title="1209: dechetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive.">accept</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">the things that</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GNS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the.">come from the</a> <a href="/greek/4151.htm" title="4151: Pneumatos (N-GNS) -- Wind, breath, spirit. ">Spirit</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tou (Art-GMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2316.htm" title="2316: Theou (N-GMS) -- A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very.">of God.</a> <a href="/greek/1063.htm" title="1063: gar (Conj) -- For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.">For</a> <a href="/greek/1510.htm" title="1510: estin (V-PIA-3S) -- I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.">they are</a> <a href="/greek/3472.htm" title="3472: mōria (N-NFS) -- Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity.">foolishness</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autō (PPro-DM3S) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">to him,</a> <a href="/greek/2532.htm" title="2532: kai (Conj) -- And, even, also, namely. ">and</a> <a href="/greek/3756.htm" title="3756: ou (Adv) -- No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not."></a> <a href="/greek/1410.htm" title="1410: dynatai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.">he cannot</a> <a href="/greek/1097.htm" title="1097: gnōnai (V-ANA) -- A prolonged form of a primary verb; to know in a great variety of applications and with many implications.">understand them,</a> <a href="/greek/3754.htm" title="3754: hoti (Conj) -- Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because.">because</a> <a href="/greek/4153.htm" title="4153: pneumatikōs (Adv) -- Adverb from pneumatikos; non-physically, i.e. Divinely, figuratively.">they are spiritually</a> <a href="/greek/350.htm" title="350: anakrinetai (V-PIM/P-3S) -- From ana and krino; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. investigate, interrogate, determine.">discerned.</a> 15The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7-9</a> because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. / Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God. / You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a> the Spirit of truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. <a href="/1_john/4-6.htm">1 John 4:6</a> We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. That is how we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of deception. <a href="/2_corinthians/4-4.htm">2 Corinthians 4:4</a> The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. <a href="/ephesians/4-18.htm">Ephesians 4:18</a> They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts. <a href="/john/8-47.htm">John 8:47</a> Whoever belongs to God hears the words of God. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” <a href="/matthew/11-25.htm">Matthew 11:25</a> At that time Jesus declared, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. <a href="/1_john/2-20.htm">1 John 2:20-21</a> You, however, have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth. / I have not written to you because you lack knowledge of the truth, but because you have it, and because no lie comes from the truth. <a href="/john/3-19.htm">John 3:19-20</a> And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. <a href="/1_john/5-20.htm">1 John 5:20</a> And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true—in His Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. <a href="/proverbs/28-5.htm">Proverbs 28:5</a> Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully. <a href="/isaiah/6-9.htm">Isaiah 6:9-10</a> And He replied: “Go and tell this people, ‘Be ever hearing, but never understanding; be ever seeing, but never perceiving.’ / Make the hearts of this people calloused; deafen their ears and close their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.” <a href="/jeremiah/5-21.htm">Jeremiah 5:21</a> “Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who have eyes but do not see, who have ears but do not hear. <a href="/ezekiel/12-2.htm">Ezekiel 12:2</a> “Son of man, you are living in a rebellious house. They have eyes to see but do not see, and ears to hear but do not hear, for they are a rebellious house. <a href="/matthew/13-13.htm">Matthew 13:13-15</a> This is why I speak to them in parables: ‘Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand.’ / In them the prophecy of Isaiah is fulfilled: ‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving. / For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.the natural man.<a href="/1_corinthians/15-44.htm">1 Corinthians 15:44,46</a> It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body… <a href="/james/3-15.htm">James 3:15</a> This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.<a href="/jude/1-19.htm">Jude 1:19</a> These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit.receiveth.<a href="/matthew/13-11.htm">Matthew 13:11</a> He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.<a href="/matthew/16-23.htm">Matthew 16:23</a> But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.<a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3-6</a> Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God… the things.<a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">1 Corinthians 2:12</a> Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.<a href="/john/14-26.htm">John 14:26</a> But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.<a href="/john/15-26.htm">John 15:26</a> But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:they.<a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18,23</a> For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God… <a href="/john/8-51.htm">John 8:51,52</a> Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death… <a href="/john/10-20.htm">John 10:20</a> And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?neither.<a href="/proverbs/14-6.htm">Proverbs 14:6</a> A scorner seeketh wisdom, and findeth it not: but knowledge is easy unto him that understandeth.<a href="/john/5-44.htm">John 5:44</a> How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?<a href="/john/6-44.htm">John 6:44,45</a> No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day… <div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_corinthians/1-15.htm">Able</a> <a href="/romans/15-7.htm">Accept</a> <a href="/job/28-27.htm">Appraised</a> <a href="/romans/9-30.htm">Attain</a> <a href="/mark/8-25.htm">Discerned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-23.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-27.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/1-25.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-11.htm">God's</a> <a href="/romans/14-23.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/romans/11-24.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/john/13-20.htm">Receiveth</a> <a href="/john/12-48.htm">Rejects</a> <a href="/romans/7-13.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-13.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Spiritually</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-12.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/romans/7-14.htm">Unspiritual</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_corinthians/3-1.htm">Able</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-11.htm">Accept</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-15.htm">Appraised</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Attain</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-15.htm">Discerned</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">Folly</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-18.htm">Foolish</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-19.htm">Foolishness</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-1.htm">Gifts</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-5.htm">God's</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-15.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">Natural</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-2.htm">Receive</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/9-24.htm">Receiveth</a> <a href="/1_thessalonians/4-8.htm">Rejects</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">Seem</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-15.htm">Spirit</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/4-17.htm">Spiritually</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/8-1.htm">Understand</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/3-3.htm">Unspiritual</a><div class="vheading2">1 Corinthians 2</div>1. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-1.htm">Paul declares that his preaching, </a> 4. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-4.htm">though it bring not excellence of speech, or of human wisdom, </a> 5. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-5.htm">yet consists in the power of God;</a> 6. <a href="/1_corinthians/2-6.htm">and so far excels the wisdom of this world, that the natural man cannot understand it.</a> </div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/2.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_corinthians/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_corinthians/2.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. The term "natural man" refers to individuals who are unregenerate, living according to their human nature without the influence of the Holy Spirit. In the context of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses a church in a city known for its philosophical and intellectual pursuits, contrasting human wisdom with divine revelation. The "things that come from the Spirit of God" include spiritual truths and divine wisdom, which are beyond human comprehension without the Spirit's illumination. This reflects the broader biblical theme that spiritual understanding is a gift from God, as seen in <a href="/john/3-6.htm">John 3:6</a>, where Jesus speaks of being "born of the Spirit."For they are foolishness to him, To the natural man, spiritual truths appear as "foolishness." This echoes <a href="/1_corinthians/1-18.htm">1 Corinthians 1:18</a>, where the message of the cross is described as foolishness to those who are perishing. In the Greco-Roman world, wisdom and rhetoric were highly valued, and the simplicity of the gospel message seemed absurd to those relying on human wisdom. This highlights the cultural clash between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world, a recurring theme in Paul's letters.and he cannot understand them, The inability to understand spiritual truths is not merely intellectual but spiritual. This aligns with <a href="/romans/8-7.htm">Romans 8:7</a>, which states that the mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God. The natural man's lack of understanding is due to a spiritual blindness, a condition that can only be remedied by the Holy Spirit's work in regeneration and illumination, as seen in <a href="/john/16-13.htm">John 16:13</a>, where the Spirit is described as guiding believers into all truth.because they are spiritually discerned. Spiritual discernment requires the Holy Spirit's presence and activity in a person's life. This discernment is a gift, as described in <a href="/1_john/2-27.htm">1 <a href="/john/2.htm">John 2</a>:27</a>, where believers are said to have an anointing from the Holy One that teaches them about all things. The concept of spiritual discernment underscores the necessity of the Holy Spirit in understanding and applying God's truth, contrasting with the natural man's reliance on human wisdom and understanding.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of 1 Corinthians, addressing the church in Corinth, a city known for its diverse culture and philosophical thought. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_church_in_corinth.htm">The Church in Corinth</a> A Christian community in a cosmopolitan city, struggling with issues of division, immorality, and misunderstanding of spiritual truths. 3. <a href="/topical/t/the_natural_man.htm">The Natural Man</a> Refers to individuals who rely solely on human wisdom and understanding, without the influence of the Holy Spirit. 4. <a href="/topical/t/the_spirit_of_god.htm">The Spirit of God</a> The Holy Spirit, who reveals and imparts spiritual truths to believers. 5. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a> The ability to understand and apply spiritual truths, which comes from the Holy Spirit.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/u/understanding_the_natural_man.htm">Understanding the Natural Man</a> The "natural man" operates solely on human wisdom and is limited in understanding spiritual truths. Recognize the limitations of human reasoning when it comes to comprehending the things of God. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_the_holy_spirit.htm">The Role of the Holy Spirit</a> The Holy Spirit is essential for understanding and accepting spiritual truths. Seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit in prayer and study to gain deeper spiritual insight. <a href="/topical/s/spiritual_discernment.htm">Spiritual Discernment</a> Spiritual discernment is a gift from God, enabling believers to understand and apply His truths. Cultivate a relationship with God through prayer, worship, and study to enhance spiritual discernment. <a href="/topical/f/foolishness_to_the_world.htm">Foolishness to the World</a> Spiritual truths may appear foolish to those who do not have the Spirit. Stand firm in your faith, even when the world does not understand or accept it. <a href="/topical/l/living_by_the_spirit.htm">Living by the Spirit</a> Embrace a life led by the Spirit, which brings peace and understanding beyond human capability. Encourage others to seek the Spirit's guidance in their daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_corinthians_2.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 2</a> <a href="/q/why_does_ai_mimic_human_theology.htm">Why does AI-generated text sometimes produce theological insights indistinguishable from human theology?</a> <a href="/q/why_would_god_hide_truths_from_non-believers.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14: Why would an all-powerful God make spiritual truths inaccessible to “the natural person,” contradicting the idea of universal love or justice? </a> <a href="/q/what_is_speaking_in_tongues.htm">What is the gift of speaking in tongues?</a> <a href="/q/what_defines_the_mind_of_christ.htm">What defines the Mind of Christ?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_corinthians/2.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(14) But the natural man.--To understand this and other passages in which St. Paul speaks of "natural" and "spiritual" men, it is important to recollect that our ordinary manner of speaking of man as consisting of "soul and body"--unless "soul" be taken in an un-technical sense to denote the whole immaterial portion--is altogether inaccurate. True psychology regards man as a trinity of natures. (See Note on <a href="/matthew/10-28.htm" title="And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.">Matthew 10:28</a>.) In accordance with this, St. Paul speaks of man as consisting of body (soma), soul (psyche), and spirit (pneuma); the soma is our physical nature; the psyche is our intellectual nature, embracing also our desires and human affections; the pneuma is our spiritual nature. Thus in each of us there is a somatical man, a psychical man, and a pneumatical man; and according as any one of those parts of the nature dominates over the other, so is the character of the individual person. One in whom the soma is strongest is a "carnal," or "fleshly," man; one in whom the intellect or affections pre-dominate is a "natural," or "psychic," man; and one in whom the spirit rules (which it can do only when enlightened and guided by the Spirit of God, which acts on it) is a "spiritual" man. (See <a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm" title="And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.">1Thessalonians 5:23</a>.)Natural.--That is, literally, that part of our nature which we call "mind," and hence signifies that man in whom pure intellectual reason and the merely natural affections predominate. Now such a one cannot grasp spiritual truth any more than the physical nature, which is made to discern physical things, can grasp intellectual things. Spiritual truth appeals to the spirit of the man, and therefore is intelligible only to those who are "spiritual," i.e., in whom the pneuma is not dormant, but quickened by the Holy Pneuma.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_corinthians/2.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 14. - The natural man. The Greek word is ψυχικὸς (psychical); literally, soulish, i.e. the man who lives the mere life of his lower understanding, the unspiritual, sensuous, and egoistic man. He may be superior to the fleshly, sensual, or carnal man, who lives only the life of the body (σωματικὸς); but is far below the spiritual man (πνευματικός). St. Paul (<a href="/1_thessalonians/5-23.htm">1 Thessalonians 5:23</a>) recognizes the tripartite nature of man - body, soul, spirit. Receiveth not; i.e. "does not choose to accept." He judges them by the foregone conclusions of his own prejudice. Because they are spiritually judged. The organ for the recognition of such truths - namely, the spirit - has become paralyzed or fallen into atrophy, from neglect; therefore the egoist and the sensualist have lost the faculty whereby alone spiritual truth is discernible. It becomes to them what painting is to the blind, or music to the deaf. This elementary truth is again and again insisted on in Scripture, and ignored by sceptics (<a href="/romans/8-6.htm">Romans 8:6, 7</a>; <a href="/john/3-3.htm">John 3:3</a>; <a href="/john/6-44.htm">John 6:44, 45</a>; <a href="/john/14-17.htm">John 14:17</a>; <a href="/2_corinthians/4-3.htm">2 Corinthians 4:3-6</a>). This verse is sometimes used to depreciate knowledge, reason, and intellect. On that abuse of the passage, see Hooker, 'Eccl. Pol.,' 3. 8:4-11, an admirable passage, which Bishop Wordsworth quotes at length. It is, perhaps, sufficient to say that if God has no need of human knowledge, he has still less need of human ignorance. <a href="/commentaries/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>[The] natural Ψυχικὸς (Psychikos) Adjective - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5591.htm">Strong's 5591: </a> Animal, natural, sensuous. From psuche; sensitive, i.e. Animate. man ἄνθρωπος (anthrōpos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_444.htm">Strong's 444: </a> A man, one of the human race. From aner and ops; man-faced, i.e. A human being. {does} not οὐ (ou) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_3756.htm">Strong's 3756: </a> No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not. accept δέχεται (dechetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1209.htm">Strong's 1209: </a> To take, receive, accept, welcome. Middle voice of a primary verb; to receive. the things that τὰ (ta) Article - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. come from the τοῦ (tou) Article - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the. Spirit Πνεύματος (Pneumatos) Noun - Genitive Neuter Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_4151.htm">Strong's 4151: </a> Wind, breath, spirit. of God. Θεοῦ (Theou) Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2316.htm">Strong's 2316: </a> A deity, especially the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very. For γὰρ (gar) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_1063.htm">Strong's 1063: </a> For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason. they are ἐστίν (estin) Verb - Present Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1510.htm">Strong's 1510: </a> I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist. foolishness μωρία (mōria) Noun - Nominative Feminine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_3472.htm">Strong's 3472: </a> Folly, absurdity, foolishness. From moros; silliness, i.e. Absurdity. to him, αὐτῷ (autō) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Dative Masculine 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. and καὶ (kai) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_2532.htm">Strong's 2532: </a> And, even, also, namely. he cannot δύναται (dynatai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_1410.htm">Strong's 1410: </a> (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible. understand [them], γνῶναι (gnōnai) Verb - Aorist Infinitive Active <a href="/greek/strongs_1097.htm">Strong's 1097: </a> A prolonged form of a primary verb; to 'know' in a great variety of applications and with many implications. because ὅτι (hoti) Conjunction <a href="/greek/strongs_3754.htm">Strong's 3754: </a> Neuter of hostis as conjunction; demonstrative, that; causative, because. {they are} spiritually πνευματικῶς (pneumatikōs) Adverb <a href="/greek/strongs_4153.htm">Strong's 4153: </a> Adverb from pneumatikos; non-physically, i.e. Divinely, figuratively. discerned. ἀνακρίνεται (anakrinetai) Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_350.htm">Strong's 350: </a> From ana and krino; properly, to scrutinize, i.e. investigate, interrogate, determine. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">1 Corinthians 2:14 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-14.htm">NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 2:14 Now the natural man doesn't receive (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-13.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Corinthians 2:13"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 2:13" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_corinthians/2-15.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Corinthians 2:15"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Corinthians 2:15" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>