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NASB | 1 Corinthians 2:14 ¶ 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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 1 Corinthians 2:14 ¶ 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]. |
Subject: How can anyone be saved? |
Bible Note: Hello Benjamite, Thank you for your reply. You said: "However, if salvation is referred to in 1 Corinthians 2:14, and if a natural man never accepts the things of the Spirit of God, then no one could ever be saved." If one believes that salvation depends upon the spiritual ability of the natural man to understand the gospel message, then you are absolutely correct! I see from your post that you disagree with the interpretation that claims that 2:14 also has implications pertaing to salvation. "...1 Corinthians 2:14? It seems like, from 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, that even babes in Christ won't accept the things of the Spirit of God that Paul is referring to. I think that 1 Corinthians 2 deals with the "meaty doctrines" as opposed to just "milk". I disagree for the following reasons: 1 Cor 3:1 "And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ." Here Paul says that he "could not speak to you as to spiritual men". Notice that he does not say that they ARE unspiritual but that, due to their immaturity (he calls them "babes"), he speaks to them AS unspiritual. Example: When I speak to my grandchild I keep my words simple and easy. I speak to him this way about things so that he may understand. 2:14, on the other hand, says: referring to the natural (unsiritual) man "he cannot understand them". 1 Cor 3:2 "I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able," Paul says:" for you were not yet able to receive it. " . In 2:14 he says the natural man does not even accept the things of the Spirit of God because to him they are foolish. As bad off as the corinthians may have been, they did not consider the things of God as foolish! 1 Cor 3:3 for you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? Notice again that Paul in critisizing the corinthians asks them: "and are you not walking like mere men?". He does not say they are natural (mere men) but likens their walk to that of mere men and fleshy. He is saying that their behavior and thinking resemble natural men and he is chastening them for it. Do you see my point? John |