1 Corinthians 2:14-15: The Spiritual Person vs. The Natural Person
In 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, the apostle Paul writes:
"But the natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to them; and they cannot understand, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person, however, is able to discern all things, yet they themselves are not subject to scrutiny by anyone." (NIV)
The Natural Person
The natural person, also referred to as the "psychikos" in Greek, is a person who is governed by their natural, human instincts and understanding. This person is not spiritual; they do not have a relationship with God and do not have the Holy Spirit residing within them. As a result, they are unable to understand the things of God, which are foolishness to them.
The natural person is limited by their human perspective and cannot comprehend the spiritual realm. They may try to intellectualize or rationalize spiritual truths, but they will always fall short of true understanding. This is because spiritual truths can only be understood through the Holy Spirit, who reveals them to us (1 Corinthians 2:10).
The Spiritual Person
On the other hand, the spiritual person, or "pneumatikos" in Greek, is a person who has a living relationship with God through Jesus Christ. This person has the Holy Spirit residing within them, and as a result, they have the ability to discern all things.
The spiritual person is not limited by their human understanding; they have access to spiritual wisdom and insight. They are able to discern the will of God, understand spiritual truths, and make spiritual judgments. This is because the Holy Spirit guides them into all truth and reveals the deep things of God to them (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).
Conclusion
In 1 Corinthians 2:14-15, Paul highlights the fundamental difference between the natural person and the spiritual person. The natural person is limited by their human understanding and is unable to comprehend spiritual truths. On the other hand, the spiritual person, empowered by the Holy Spirit, is able to discern all things and understand the deep things of God.
As believers, we must recognize the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. We must not rely solely on our human understanding, but rather, seek to be led by the Spirit in all things. By doing so, we will be able to discern the will of God and live a life that is pleasing to Him.
