“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.”
My Notes
What Does 1 Corinthians 2:14 Mean?
Paul explains why spiritual truth is inaccessible to some: 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.
The natural man (psuchikos anthropos) — the person operating from the soul (psuche) alone, without the Holy Spirit's illumination. This is not about intelligence. The natural person may be brilliant. But without the Spirit, spiritual realities register as foolishness. The problem is not intellectual capacity. It is spiritual equipment.
Receiveth not (dechomai) — does not welcome, does not accept. The natural man encounters spiritual truth and rejects it — not because the evidence is insufficient but because the category is foreign. It is like showing color to someone who has never seen — the reality is there, but the faculty to perceive it is absent.
For they are foolishness unto him — the things of the Spirit do not merely seem impractical to the natural man. They seem absurd. The cross. Grace. Resurrection. Substitutionary atonement. To the person without the Spirit, these are irrational.
Neither can he know them — the inability is categorical. Can (dunamai) means it is not possible. The natural man is not merely unwilling. He is unable. The knowledge is not available through natural faculties.
Because they are spiritually discerned (anakrino) — examined, investigated, judged. Spiritual truths require spiritual equipment for evaluation. The Spirit provides the faculty that makes discernment possible. Without the Spirit, the truth is present but invisible.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What does it mean that the natural man 'cannot' — not just will not — know spiritual truth?
- 2.How should this verse change the way you respond to people who find the gospel foolish?
- 3.What role did the Spirit play in your own ability to receive and understand spiritual truth?
- 4.Where might you be relying on argument or evidence when what is needed is the Spirit's illumination?
Devotional
The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God. Not will not. Receiveth not — does not welcome, does not accept. The person without the Spirit encounters the gospel, hears the truth about Christ, encounters the claims of Scripture — and rejects them. Not because they lack intelligence. Because they lack the equipment.
For they are foolishness unto him. The cross is foolish. Grace is foolish. The idea that God became man, died, and rose — foolish. The natural person is not being stubborn. They genuinely cannot see it. Spiritual truth registers as absurdity to someone without the Spirit, the way music registers as noise to someone without ears.
Neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Can. Not. The inability is real. The natural man cannot know spiritual truth — not through more education, more argument, more evidence. The truth is spiritually discerned, which means it requires the Spirit to perceive. No Spirit, no perception. The faculty is absent.
This verse should change how you relate to people who reject the gospel. They are not being deliberately obtuse. They literally cannot see what you see. The Spirit opened your eyes — and without that same Spirit opening theirs, the truth you find life-changing will sound like foolishness to them. Pray for illumination. Argue less. The breakthrough they need is not a better argument. It is the Spirit making visible what is currently invisible.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
But he that is spiritual,.... Meaning not any particular individual person, not the pope of Rome, as his adherents…
But the natural man - ψυχικὸς, δὲ ἄνθρωπος psuchikos de anthrōpos. The word “natural” here stands opposed evidently…
But the natural man - Ψυχικος, The animal man - the man who is in a mere state of nature, and lives under the influence…
In this part of the chapter the apostle shows them that though he had not come to them with the excellency of human…
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God The natural man (animalis, Vulgate), that is, the man…
Cross References
Related passages throughout Scripture