Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:12

What does 1 Corinthians 2:12 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 2:12 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 2:12 means

Believers “received… the spirit which is from God,” not “the spirit of the world.” This gift enables them to “know the things that were freely given… of God.” The contrast highlights both source and result: the world’s atmosphere shapes people toward pride and blindness, but God’s Spirit opens eyes to grace. Knowing here includes recognition, appreciation, and assurance—the grasp of God’s generosity in Christ. What God gives, He also makes known. The emphasis on “freely given” guards the gospel’s character as gift; the Spirit does not make us worthy but makes us see and receive what God has provided without price.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

But we received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is from God; that we might know the things that were freely given to us of God.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But we have not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which comes from God, so that we may have knowledge of the things which are freely given to us by God.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And we the spirit of the world did not receive, but the Spirit that <FI>is<Fi> of God, that we may know the things conferred by God on us,

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

Now, we have received not the spirit of this world, but the Spirit that is of God: that we may know the things that are given us from God.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which [is] ofGod, that we may know the things which have been freely given to us ofGod:

Context

Verse 12 builds on the uniqueness of the Spirit’s knowledge (v.11) by announcing that Christians have received this Spirit to know God’s gifts. This prepares for verse 13, where Paul explains that he and his co-laborers speak these truths in Spirit-taught language. The sequence shows an unbroken line: God’s wisdom originates in God, is revealed by God’s Spirit, is received by those indwelt by the Spirit, and is communicated through Spirit-shaped words.

v.11For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God.

v.12This passage

v.13Which things also we speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual words.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Romans 8:32

    He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not also with him freely give us all things?

  • Ephesians 2:2

    wherein ye once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the powers of the air, of the spirit that now worketh in the sons of disobedience;

  • 1 Corinthians 3:22

    whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;

  • 2 Corinthians 4:4

    in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.

  • Romans 8:15

    For ye received not the spirit of bondage again unto fear; but ye received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

  • 1 John 5:19

    We know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in the evil one.

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