1 Corinthians 2:14-16: The Spiritually Minded
In 1 Corinthians 2:14-16, the apostle Paul writes about the spiritual mindset of a believer, and how it differs from the natural, or worldly, way of thinking. This passage is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
The Natural Man vs. The Spiritual Man
"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." (1 Corinthians 2:14, KJV)
In this verse, Paul contrasts the natural man, who is unredeemed and unregenerate, with the spiritual man, who has been reborn through faith in Jesus Christ. The natural man is unable to understand the things of the Spirit, because they are foolishness to him. The natural man operates solely on the basis of human reason and worldly wisdom, and is unable to comprehend the spiritual reality that underlies all of existence.
The Spiritual Man Sees the World Differently
"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man." (1 Corinthians 2:15, KJV)
In contrast to the natural man, the spiritual man sees the world in a radically different way. He is able to discern the spiritual reality that underlies all of existence, and is able to judge all things in light of that reality. The spiritual man is not bound by the limitations of human reason, but is able to see the world through the eyes of faith.
The Mind of Christ
"For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ." (1 Corinthians 2:16, KJV)
In this final verse, Paul makes it clear that the spiritual man has the mind of Christ. This is not to say that we have a comprehensive understanding of the entirety of God's plan, but rather that we have the capacity to think and reason as Jesus did. We have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, who guides us into all truth and enables us to think with the mind of Christ.
In conclusion, 1 Corinthians 2:14-16 reminds us that the Christian life is not just about obeying rules or following a set of moral principles, but about having a fundamentally different worldview. As spiritual men and women, we are called to see the world through the eyes of faith, and to think with the mind of Christ. May we continue to grow in our understanding of God's truth, and may we be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
