1Corinthians 2:12-16 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
‘Words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Ghost teaches.’ Two kinds of words of wisdom: Words of man’s wisdom and words of Holy Spirit wisdom.
‘Comparing’ [Greek: sungkrino] to compound; put together; to compare (1Cor. 2:13; 2Cor. 10:12). It is used in the Septuagint of interpreting dreams (Gen. 40:8, 16, 22; 41:12-15).
‘The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God.’ Two kinds of people (1Cor. 2:14-15): (1) The natural man [Greek: psuchikos] soulish (1Cor. 2:14; 15:44-46; Jas. 3:15; Jude 1:19). This is man living under the control of the fleshly passions, the sensual and depraved part of man in contrast with the rational part (Gal. 5:19-21; Rom. 1:29-32; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Col. 3:5-10). He is the animal man as opposed to the spiritual man. He has no sense of spiritual values and no relish for them. He counts it the highest wisdom to live for this world and carnal pleasures. Spiritual things are foolish to him. He cannot see their supreme excellence due to animal appetites and being spiritually dead (Eph. 2:1-9). (2) The spiritual man [Greek: pneumatikos] spiritual (1Cor. 2:15; 3:1; 9:11; 14:37; 15:44-46; Gal. 6:1). This man is living under the control of the Holy Spirit and minds the things of the Spirit (Rom. 8:1-13; Gal. 5:16-26). He has the mind of Christ and discerns and esteems spiritual things above the sensual (1Cor. 2:15-16). He is a new creature and resurrected from death in trespasses and sins (2Cor. 5:17-18; Eph. 2:1-9; 4:22-24). The lower animal passions have been crucified (Rom. 8:12-13; Gal. 2:20; 5:24) and put off (Eph. 2:22-24; Col. 3:5-10).
Twelve spiritual things are noted in the Word: Man who follows the things of the Holy Spirit (2:15; 3:1; 14:37; Gal. 6:1; Hos. 9:7); the gifts of the Spirit (1:7; 12:1; 14:1, 12; Rom. 1:11); things (2:13; 9:11; Rom. 15:27); the resurrected body (15:44-46); blessings of the Spirit (Eph. 1:3); religious songs (Eph. 5:19); wisdom and knowledge (Col. 1:9); spiritual people = house (1Pet. 2:5); sacrifices (1Pet. 2:5); the Law, because it typified the spiritual thing of the New Testament (Rom. 7:14); meat and drink, typifying Christ the Spiritual Rock of 1Corinthians 10:3-4 and wickedness, because it is of evil spirit origin (John 8:44; Eph. 2:2; 6:12).
‘Spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.’ The spiritual man examines, convinces, and reproves the natural man of his evil ways, yet no one is able to find fault with the godly man.
‘For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instrust him?’ Who of the natural men that live in the carnal passions can know the mind of the Lord that he may instruct the spiritual man? Quoted from Isaiah 40:14. ‘But we have the mind of Christ’ – we mind the same things that Christ did. We have the same Spirit.
Living the Word 