1 Corinthians 2:14
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.
2006-12-07 15:48:34 · 22 answers · asked by ? 3 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Frankly, the preceding verses in that chapter seem to me to indicate that he's talking about the "natural man" being man as he's born, without/before having received the Holy Spirit which gives wisdom and understanding of spiritual matters (the "things of the Spirit of God").
2006-12-07 16:00:31 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To help you understand, please read 1 Corinthians 1:18 through 31. Also, read 1 Corinthians 2:2-5. All of God's wisdom cannot be known but by the Holy Spirit or through the Holy Spirit.
Hope this helps. Since 1 Corinthians is not very long, read the whole thing to have it make good sense to you. If not,then just read Chapters 1 through 2. Also, purchase a good commentary book. That has always helped me with Bible study.
Basically, the true servants of Christ can do nothing without him. He is the only foundation, and everyone should take heed what he builds thereon. (From Matthew Henry Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible).
Have a Blessed Christmas.
2006-12-08 00:02:40 · answer #2 · answered by makeitright 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The natural man is not spiritual and cannot discern the natural things of God. You cannot understand anything of God apart from the Holy Spirit.
2006-12-07 23:55:52 · answer #3 · answered by JoJoBa 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
OK
The "natural man" refers to our human nature. That is our sinful human nature which knows nothing good but only sin, continually. It constantly wars against the Spirit. It's what Christ died for so that we can overcome.
It doesn't comprehend the things of God because it is contrary to it. It's sinful and God's Holy. Therefore, it is foolishness to people who have not accepted Christ because they only know ONE nature, that is the human "sinful" nature and none other. The ways of God are contrary to everything they were taught.
this is a topic i could go on for a long time about because it is one of the most essential doctrines that all Christians must come to an understanding of. It's basically what the entire book of Romans talks about. The battle between the old self and the new self.
2006-12-07 23:54:26 · answer #4 · answered by stpolycarp77 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1 Corinthians 2:14:
14The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
If you have no experience with something, in this case spirituality, there is no possible way you could understand the things that the Holy Spirit can do.
2006-12-07 23:53:31 · answer #5 · answered by spanky 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This simply means that the natural man (a man who has not experienced the saving grace of God in accepting Jesus as personal Saviour) does not receive or understand the things of the Spirit of God (they do not have the Holy Spirit in their hearts). Because the natural or unsaved man does not understand things of the Spirit, he thinks they are foolishness or ridiculous and usually ridicules Christians or the saved man that does understand. The natural man can not know the things of the Spirit of God until he becomes a saved man (accepts Jesus Christ as personal Saviour).
2006-12-07 23:57:06 · answer #6 · answered by Doug R 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's a total depravity/predestination verse if I ever saw one. God gives faith, we don't have any power to choose Him. Rather the opposite, the natural man rejects God and believes it nothing more than foolishness. Spiritually discerned means God has already decided who will belong to Him.
2006-12-07 23:55:26 · answer #7 · answered by ccrider 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
According to the Christian traditions, we are to worship God in Spirit and Truth because God is of Spirit and Truth. God is the first and the last of everything and that can only be in spirit and truth.
"But the natural man receiver not the things of the Spirit of God" is a reference to that God's way are not like man's ways. God does not think or act like man. God's ways are of the Holy of Holy liken unto the holy of spirit. It is not in Man's nature to have ways like God.
The second passage " for they are foolishness unto him" refers to how the ways of the flesh (man) is not wise (foolishness) to God. Proverbs 1: 7 talks about the wisdom of God, " The fear (love) of the Lord is the beginning of the knowledge: but fools despise (hate) wisdom and instruction."
The question you pose is as deep and rich as God is.
I would also look at Psalms 139 to see how God's way are not like the ways of flesh. I hope this is you help to you. God's speed.
2006-12-08 00:11:24 · answer #8 · answered by Twinkie 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The natural man (as opposed to our spiritaul man who also needs to be activated by the Holy Spirit) can see things that are tangible and visible to his natural eyes and he understands what he can touch and see. But the things of the Spirit of God are eternal and invisible so we need the help of the Holy Spirit to reveal the things of the Spirit to us since we cannot see them with our natural eyes or understand them with our natural minds. So we all need the help of the Holy Spirit to know the things of God and to have the wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God.
2006-12-08 00:53:00 · answer #9 · answered by seekfind 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After the Fall of Adam, mankind became “carnal, sensual, and devilish, by nature” . This nature is contrary to the divine nature of God. Those who live as “natural” men and women do not understand spiritual knowledge; it is foolishness to them. The natural man acquires spiritual knowledge when he “yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man” .
.
2006-12-07 23:55:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋