Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:14

What does 1 Corinthians 2:14 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 2:14 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 2:14 means

The “natural man,” unaided by the Spirit, does not accept the things of the Spirit of God. To him they appear foolish, and he “cannot know them” because such truths are “spiritually judged”—that is, discerned by a capacity the Spirit alone gives. This is not an insult to intelligence but a statement about spiritual condition. Without the Spirit, people lack the organ of perception for gospel realities. The cross seems weak, grace seems offensive, and God’s wisdom seems unreasonable—until the Spirit opens the eyes. Conversion is therefore more than persuasion; it is a new capacity to see and embrace what God has revealed.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

For the natural man is not able to take in the things of the Spirit of God: for they seem foolish to him, and he is not able to have knowledge of them, because such knowledge comes only through the Spirit.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know <FI>them<Fi> , because spiritually they are discerned;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God. For it is foolishness to him: and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

But [the] natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit ofGod, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know [them] because they are spiritually discerned;

Context

After explaining Spirit-given revelation and Spirit-taught words (vv.10–13), Paul explains the barrier on the human side: the natural person cannot receive these things (v.14). This frames the necessity of the Spirit’s work in understanding the gospel. Verse 15 will then describe the spiritual person’s discernment and freedom from the world’s verdicts, and verse 16 will ground that reality in sharing the mind of Christ. The structure contrasts two conditions and two capacities of judgment.

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.

v.14This passage

v.15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.

Cross references

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

  • Acts 25:19

    but had certain questions against him of their own religion, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

  • Acts 18:15

    but if they are questions about words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; I am not minded to be a judge of these matters.

  • John 10:20

    And many of them said, He hath a demon, and is mad; why hear ye him?

  • 1 Corinthians 15:46

    Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual.

  • Matthew 13:11

    And he answered and said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.

  • 1 John 2:27

    And as for you, the anointing which ye received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any one teach you; but as his anointing teacheth you concerning all things, and is true, and is no lie, and even as it taught you, ye abide in him.

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