Results 1 - 4 of 4
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Results from: Answered Bible Questions, Answers, Unanswered Bible Questions, Notes Ordered by Verse | ||||||
Results | Verse | Author | ID# | |||
1 | How can anyone be saved? | 1 Cor 2:14 | John Reformed | 60692 | ||
Dear Benjamite, Please observe the context in which 2:14 appears. 1 Cor 2:7-13 "but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory but just as it is written, THINGS WHICH EYE HAS NOT SEEN AND EAR HAS NOT HEARD, AND which HAVE NOT ENTERED THE HEART OF MAN, ALL THAT GOD HAS PREPARED FOR THOSE WHO LOVE HIM." For to US (my caps) God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so the thoughts of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. Now WE (my caps) have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that WE may know the things freely given to US by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" Based on what he said in v's 7-13 Paul conludes: "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. But HE WHO IS spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one. For WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, THAT HE WILL INSTRUCT HIM? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2: 14-16) I don't know how much plainer it can be. Paul is definitely speaking about natural man being totally incapable of understanding spiritual things for the simple reason that his spirit is the spirit o the world but believers have the Spirit of God that has endowed us with the mind of Christ. Even baby believers. John |
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2 | How can anyone be saved? | 1 Cor 2:14 | benjamite | 61280 | ||
Okay, so if that is all it takes, then Paul should have been able to talk to the Corinthians as Spiritual men. Yet Paul's context goes beyond the chapter divisions, for he says, "And (continuing the thought) I, brethren, could not speak to you (the believing, but still fleshly Corinthians) as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ." (3:1) (parenthetical thoughts are mine) The problem in Corinth was that the baby believers could not handle the solid food. Yes, they have the Spirit of God, but they were still fleshly. (3:2-3) The problem is that it is more than just whether one has the Spirit or not. |
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3 | How can anyone be saved? | 1 Cor 2:14 | John Reformed | 61287 | ||
Hi Benjamite, It's good to hear from you. I was just posting Sir Pent and telling him that you are probably the only one whohas stayed on the verse itself. I don't mean to say that other related verses should not be used to cast additional light on v.14 for you and I have done that very thing. The problem lies in when we get so far afield of the verse itself, it can be forgotten entirely. You said: "The problem in Corinth was that the baby believers could not handle the solid food. Yes, they have the Spirit of God, but they were still fleshly. (3:2-3) The problem is that it is more than just whether one has the Spirit or not." Do you believe that is possible to be a natural man and a spiritual man at one in the same time? Or do you believe that spiritual man simply acts as if he is a natural at times? John |
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4 | How can anyone be saved? | 1 Cor 2:14 | benjamite | 61694 | ||
A natural man seems to me to be one who does not have the spirit. A spiritual man seems to me to be one who is living by the Spirit. However, it seems like there is some sort of a "mix" - believers who still act like unbelievers. So with that admitted, I guess the question is, "Do 3:1ff and 2:14 refer to the same group?" I need to work on that. |
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