1 Corinthians 2:12-15: The Wisdom of the Spirit
In 1 Corinthians 2:12-15, Apostle Paul explains the importance of having the wisdom of the Spirit in understanding spiritual truths. This passage is a continuation of Paul's discussion on the wisdom of God, which is foolishness to the world but wisdom to those who are being saved.
The Spirit Searches Everything
"Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God." (1 Corinthians 2:12, ESV)
In this verse, Paul emphasizes the importance of having the Spirit of God to understand spiritual truths. The Spirit is not a natural or worldly spirit, but the Holy Spirit who is from God. The Spirit is the one who helps us understand the things that God has freely given us.
The Natural Person vs. The Spiritual Person
"The natural person 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 discerned. But the spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one." (1 Corinthians 2:14-15, ESV)
Paul contrasts the natural person with the spiritual person. The natural person, who does not have the Spirit, cannot understand spiritual truths because they are foolishness to him. On the other hand, the spiritual person, who has the Spirit, can judge or discern all things, but is not judged by anyone. This is because the spiritual person has a deeper understanding of spiritual truths, which cannot be judged by human standards.
Conclusion
In 1 Corinthians 2:12-15, Paul emphasizes the importance of having the Spirit of God to understand spiritual truths. The natural person, who does not have the Spirit, cannot understand spiritual truths, while the spiritual person, who has the Spirit, can discern all things. This passage reminds us of the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us in our understanding of God's wisdom.
