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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 Pastor Glenn, 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...Note: Who is that doe not understand"? those who crucified the Lord...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 (believers) 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 (believers) have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we (believers) may know the things freely given to us (believers) 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". Paul thus far has explained why those who crucified the Lord did so (because they could not understand because they had the spirit of the world). He aso tells us that believers do understand the "the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory;" 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,...Here he identifys those who do cannot understand (those who have the spirit of the world)... for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, BECAUSE they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual (because of the presence of the Holy Spirit) 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 (believers) have the mind of Christ." (1 Cor 2: 14-16. You said: "God has separated the choice for Jesus. This is what it means by His being THE LIGHT. This is what the old testament types and shadows refer to. This is why there is only one way to salvation. Everyone knows. Everyone." I agree that everyone does know. And when the unrepentent sinner stands before the Judgment seat of God he will have no excuse for his continued rebellion against his Lord and King. But mere knowledge of the truth is not enough! Even the demons know the truth and they tremble. A person may even believe that Jesus is Lord and yet perish in their sins. What is requied is the kind of belief that God alone can give. That kind is accompanied by true repentence and faith which drives a guilty sinner to cry out to Christ for salvation! That also causes him to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. You also said that: "We all have the spirit of life". Would you tell me what you mean by "all"? Thanks, John |