Episode 173 - Spiritual things are spiritually discerned - 1 Corinthians 2:12-16

12 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. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.

1Cor. 2:14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

If you were thinking to yourself, “That sounds familiar,” it’s because we also included verses 12-13 in last week's study. We always want to interpret text within its context, and I felt that backing up a little would help us interpret verses 14-16 this week.

The theme has been God’s wisdom compared to mankind’s so-called wisdom. Paul is explaining that God’s wisdom is greatly superior to that of the human race and that we need God’s wisdom even though mankind thinks it is foolishness. The natural, sinful man rejects the idea that God would send his own son into the world in human flesh and bones and willingly die for the sins of the human race. Many people reject the need for having their sin forgiven before a Holy God because, in their mind, they’ve been a “good person.”

It is the Holy Spirit who moves within us to help us understand and receive this wisdom and understanding from God. When we receive the good news of Jesus’ death on the cross on our behalf, we receive the Holy Spirit. That’s what Paul is saying in verse 12. Because we now have God’s Spirit, we can begin to understand spiritual things. (v. 13)

Verse 14 continues to explain that no one on their own can truly understand spiritual truths of God. We need God’s Spirit to help us discern those spiritual truths.

Paul makes two statements in verse 15 that some have interpreted to justify their religious arrogance and elitism. The statement, “The spiritual person judges all things,” seems pretty absolute, not to mention contradictory to Jesus’ teaching in his Sermon on the Mount. “Judge not, that you be not judged.” (Matt. 7:1) So, what is it? This is where we not only look within our immediate context but also to the greater biblical context to see what the Scriptures say about “judging.”

Later in 1 Corinthians, Paul insists that this group of believers are to judge their own. People who have trusted in the good news of Jesus and have received the Holy Spirit are expected to reflect the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives. Their thoughts, words, and actions should not reflect those of the world around them, but the character of God the Holy Spirit wants to work in them. Paul explains that the world will act from its own fleshly desires, and you can’t avoid the world. But Christians are supposed to act differently. If they blatantly live in contradiction to the Scriptures and are no different from the world, they are to be held accountable by their brothers and sisters in the faith. ( 1 Cor. 5:9-12) Notice that this action is out of love and not out of some elitist arrogance. This is what Jesus was teaching as well. It’s all about the heart and our motives.

The point of Paul’s comment, “The spiritual person judges all things,” speaks of the enablement to discern spiritual and other things in life offered by the leading of the Holy Spirit. Having the Holy Spirit and following God’s leading in the Holy Spirit changing our lives helps us discern what is good or bad, what is wise or foolish. The Bible is not a comprehensive list of do’s and don’ts. We need the Holy Spirit to lead and convict us in matters of our day-to-day decisions in life. Becoming a Christian and receiving the Holy Spirit does not make us omniscient or give us the right to go around telling everybody what they ought to do.

The next statement in verse 15 says, “but is himself to be judged by no one,” can also be distorted without appropriate consideration of the immediate context of this letter as well as the rest of Paul’s teaching and that of the Scriptures. Can I say to my fellow Christians, “You cannot judge me because I am a spiritual person?” I don’t think that’s what Paul is saying at all. The point of this saying is that since the natural ability of humans is not able to discern God’s wisdom, then it cannot effectively discern and “judge” someone who is spiritual. God is not judging based on what humans see and assess in the life of a spiritual person. But God does. He is our true judge. We should humbled in this knowledge and not puffed up with pride.

The first statement in verse 16, “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” is a quotation from Isaiah 40:13 and is Paul’s way of reemphasizing the superiority of the Lord’s wisdom. Paul’s statement does not allow any Christian to be arrogant and think they are better. However, he follows with, “But we have the mind of Christ.” (v. 16b) What’s the point? The point is that God is sharing his wisdom with us through the Holy Spirit in order that we think and act more like Christ.

Think back on chapter one and Paul’s indicting accusations toward some of them. Paul is judging, isn’t he? But Paul is doing so to correct them and encourage them to conduct themselves more consistently with Christ.

If we have received God’s gift of forgiveness of our sins through the cross of Christ and have received his Spirit, we are to judge ourselves first. As the psalmist said, we can pray:

Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting! (Psalm 139:23-24)

If we are truly spiritual and have the mind of Christ, there is no room for arrogance in our life. Instead, our thoughts, words, and actions reflect love, compassion, humility, and wisdom in conducting ourselves.

Prayer: Lord, may your Spirit quell our pride when provoked. Make us the spiritual people you want us to be in order that we can be a living testimony of your wisdom and power.