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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: 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 |