Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 2:15

What does 1 Corinthians 2:15 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 2:15 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 2:15 means

The “spiritual” person—one indwelt and taught by the Spirit—“judgeth all things,” meaning he or she can discern and evaluate spiritual realities rightly. At the same time, such a person “is judged of no man,” in the sense that those without the Spirit cannot render a final or adequate verdict on the spiritual life. This is not immunity from accountability or error, but freedom from being finally defined by worldly standards. The Spirit gives a new framework that can assess life in light of God’s wisdom, while the natural assessments of the world lack the categories to measure what God is doing in a believer.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

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

KJV

King James Version · 1611

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

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

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

But he who has the Spirit, though judging all things, is himself judged by no one.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

and he who is spiritual, doth discern indeed all things, and he himself is by no one discerned;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

But the spiritual man judgeth all things: and he himself is judged of no man.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

but the spiritual discerns all things, and he is discerned of no one.

Context

Following the natural person’s incapacity (v.14), verse 15 positively describes the Spirit-enabled discernment of the believer. This anticipates the closing citation in verse 16, which grounds spiritual discernment in the mind of Christ shared by His people. The flow clarifies that spiritual judgment is neither arrogance nor elitism; it rests on participation in Christ’s wisdom by the Spirit. The final verse will tie this to God’s own incomprehensible mind now graciously shared with His church.

v.14Now 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.

v.15This passage

v.16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he should instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.

Cross references

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

  • Proverbs 28:5

    Evil men understand not justice; But they that seek Jehovah understand all things.

  • Philippians 1:10

    so that ye may approve the things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and void of offence unto the day of Christ;

  • 1 Kings 3:9

    Give thy servant therefore an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to judge this thy great people?

  • Hebrews 5:14

    But solid food is for fullgrown men, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern good and evil.

  • Acts 16:3

    Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and he took and circumcised him because of the Jews that were in those parts: for they all knew that his father was a Greek.

  • 1 Corinthians 4:5

    Wherefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts; and then shall each man have his praise from God.

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