1 Corinthians 2:12-15

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:12

The spirit of the world. The heathen world in its heathen aspect is regarded as under the power of the devil ( 2 Corinthians 4:4 ; Ephesians 6:11 , Ephesians 6:12 ). Freely given to us by God. The word "freely" is here involved in the verb ( χαρισθέντα ) "graciously bestowed." It is different from the phrase used in "Freely ye have received," which is gratuitously ( δωρεὰν , Matthew 10:8 ). All God's gifts are "without money and without price" (Is 55:1), and not "to be... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:12-14

Speech in the power of the Spirit. The personal references in St. Paul's Epistles are suitable to the epistolary style of correspondence, and necessary as the vindication of a man who was seriously attacked and slandered. Generally his allusions arc more or less directed to his claim as an apostle. Because this did not take precisely the same grounds as the claims of the earlier apostles, it was easy for his enemies to question and even deny his rights. St. Paul's chief argument is that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:13

Comparing spiritual things with spiritual. The meaning of this clause is very uncertain. It has been rendered, "Blending spiritual things with spiritual" (Kling, Wordsworth), i.e. not adulterating them with carnal admixtures ( 2 Corinthians 2:17 ; 1 Peter 2:22 ). "Interpreting spiritual things to spiritual men". "Explaining spiritual things in spiritual words." This meaning the Greek will not bear, but Calvin and Beza get the same meaning by rendering it, "Adapting spiritual things to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:14

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 ( 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ) recognizes the tripartite nature of man—body, soul, spirit. Receiveth not ; i.e. "does not... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:14-15

The natural and the spiritual man. This is not a common division of men, or one that can be recognized from a worldly point of view. The world knows learned men and ignorant men, rich men and poor men, but not natural men and spiritual men. This distinction is wholly made from the Christian standpoint, but it becomes the all important one, in the presence of which all merely worldly classifications of men become insignificant. Modern theories of man's nature may be reviewed. Some regard... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:14-16

Natural man and spiritual man. The natural man, who had not been forgotten by St. Paul in the first chapter, now comes under closer inspection. We can see him from the point of view occupied in the second chapter What is said of him? He "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." Nature is represented here as very different from grace, and the difference has the breadth of contrast.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:15

Judgeth all things . If he can judge the higher, lie can of course judge the lower. Being spiritual, he becomes intellectual also, as well as more than intellectual. He can see into the difference between the dream and the reality; he can no longer take the shadow for the substance. He can not only decide about ordinary matters, but can also "discriminate the transcendent,'' i.e. see that which is best even in different alternatives of good. "The secret of the Lord is with them that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Corinthians 2:15

The judging faculty. "He that is spiritual" is he in whom the Spirit of God dwells, pervading his spirit with a light and quickening it to a life above that of nature. This higher spirit life has many marks of distinction. It is one of these to which the apostle here gives prominence. Two things are affirmed of the spiritual man— I. HIS POWER TO JUDGE . The attitude of mind suggested is an inquiring, critical, testing attitude—an attitude in which it holds its faith in abeyance... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received - We who are Christians; and especially we, the apostles. The following verse shows that he had himself and the other apostles chiefly in view; though it is true of all Christians that they have received, not the spirit of this world, but the spirit which is of God.Not the spirit of this world - Not the wisdom and knowledge which this world can give - not the learning and philosophy which were so much valued in Greece. The views of truth which we have, are not such as this... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Corinthians 2:13

Which things we speak - Which great, and glorious, and certain truths, we, the apostles, preach and explain.Not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth - Not such as human philosophy or eloquence would dictate. They do not have their origin in the devices of human wisdom, and they are not expressed in such words of dazzling and attractive rhetoric as would be employed by those who pride themselves on the wisdom of this world.But which the Holy Ghost teacheth - That is, in the words which the... read more

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