What does 1 Corinthians 2:14 mean?

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. 1 Corinthians 2:14

Explanation

The verse 1 Corinthians 2:14 speaks to the profound spiritual reality that Paul, the apostle, is addressing to the Corinthian church. The “natural man” is understood to represent a person who lives solely by their natural, human faculties—reason, emotions, and senses—without being influenced by the Holy Spirit. In contrast, “the things of the Spirit of God” represent the truths, wisdom, morality, and other aspects imparted to humans by the Holy Spirit, which can include prophetic utterances, spiritual insight, and a deep understanding of God’s will.

The assertion that such spiritual things are “foolishness” to the natural man signifies that, to someone relying solely on their natural understanding, the deep truths revealed by God might seem illogical, irrational, or without merit. Moreover, Paul emphasizes that the natural man cannot truly “know” or comprehend these truths; “know” in this context suggests an in-depth, experiential understanding which goes beyond mere intellectual assent. The inability to grasp spiritual truths is attributed to the necessity for them to be “spiritually discerned,” indicating that spiritual perception is a discernment imbued by the Spirit of God and not by human intelligence alone.

Historical Context

1 Corinthians is a letter written by Paul to the church in Corinth, a cosmopolitan city in Greece known for its intellectualism, wealth, and immorality during the 1st century A.D. The church was facing issues of division, immorality, and the integration of pagan beliefs into the Christian faith. In response, Paul wrote to address these problems and to clarify the true nature of wisdom and spirituality.

At this time, Greek philosophy was a significant influence, and it prized human wisdom and reason. In crafting his argument, Paul delineates a sharp distinction between worldly wisdom and divine wisdom. He challenges the Corinthians who may have been swayed by Greek intellectualism, cautioning them against dismissing the gospel and spiritual truths due to their grounding in divine revelation rather than human logic.

Theological Insights

Different theological perspectives interpret this verse in varying ways:

• Traditional Christian Theology: It generally holds that true understanding of God’s wisdom comes through a relationship with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is seen as the revealer of divine truths that are beyond the capacity of the unaided human mind.
• Reformed Theology: Stresses total depravity, the doctrine that sin affects all parts of a person’s being, including the mind. Thus, Reformed theologians might emphasize that the natural man needs the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit to understand spiritual truths.
• Pentecostal and Charismatic Theology: Might emphasize the role of spiritual experiences and the ongoing personal revelation from the Holy Spirit as necessary for understanding the things of God.
• Catholic Theology: Might stress the role of the Church’s teaching authority (Magisterium) in assisting believers to discern and understand the truths of the Spirit, while still affirming the necessity of the Spirit’s illumination.

Practical Applications

This verse suggests several applications for daily life:

1. Humility: Recognizing that human intellect alone cannot comprehend the fullness of spiritual truth can foster an attitude of humility.
2. Dependence on the Spirit: Christians are encouraged to seek the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit for understanding, beyond just relying on their own faculties.
3. Discernment: Believers are invited to use discernment, gifted by the Spirit, in evaluating teachings, situations, and life decisions.
4. Prayer: Encourages a prayerful attitude, asking God to reveal His wisdom and truths through His Spirit.

Cross-References

Here are a few cross-references from the King James Version of the Bible:

• John 14:17: “[Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.”
• Romans 8:7: “Because the carnal mind [is] enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”
• 1 Corinthians 1:18: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.”

Language Study

In the original Greek text, the term “natural man” is translated from the word “ψυχικὸς” (psychikos), which refers to being controlled by the soul or the life force—in other words, the natural or unspiritual self. The Greek for “receiveth” is “δέχεται” (dechetai), meaning to accept or welcome, indicating an inability to embrace.

The phrase “Spirit of God” uses the Greek word “πνεῦμα” (pneuma), often used to refer to the Holy Spirit or wind/breath, symbolizing an invisible, life-giving force. Regarding “foolishness,” the Greek “μωρία” (moria) is used, implying absurdity or lack of sense. The term “spiritually” derives from “πνευματικῶς” (pneumatikōs), which means in a manner consistent with the Holy Spirit.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

The idea that spiritual truths must be spiritually discerned presents a contrast with many ancient myths and religions where knowledge could be attained through rituals, sacrifices, or esoteric wisdom. In those systems, gaining access to divine knowledge often depended on human initiative or achievement. In contrast, the Christian perspective here underscores the need for divine revelation rather than human effort.

Scientific Perspectives

The statement that spiritual matters are discerned spiritually and not through natural cognition aligns with the recognition in psychology and neuroscience that different types of reasoning and cognitive processing exist. While science explores the mechanisms of the brain and behavior, it also acknowledges the subjective aspects of human experience, including spirituality, that are not fully accessible to empirical investigation.

Commentaries

Commentaries by theological experts provide a deeper insight into the interpretation of this verse:

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that the gospel is a doctrine of the Holy Spirit and can only be understood by those who have the Spirit.
• John Calvin’s Commentaries reflect the idea that God’s wisdom in the gospel is spiritually discerned, asserting the total inability of the unregenerate mind to grasp God’s truth.
• The MacArthur Study Bible explains that the unregenerate (unsaved) person does not accept spiritual truths because they are spiritually dead and, therefore, unable to understand them.