That was not necessary-we need to keep our emotions in check.
The concept that the natural man cannot understand the things of the Spirit of God is elucidated in 1 Corinthians 2:14. This verse highlights the spiritual discernment required to comprehend divine truths
and the inherent inability of those without the Spirit of God to grasp them.
1 Corinthians 2:14 (King James Version):
"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."
This verse emphasizes that individuals who do not possess the Spirit of God, often referred to as the "natural man," are unable to accept or comprehend spiritual truths. The verse conveys that such truths appear as foolishness to them due to their lack of spiritual insight and discernment.
Key Points:
Natural Man: Refers to individuals who are devoid of the Spirit of God, hence lacking spiritual discernment.
Rejection of Spiritual Truths: The natural man does not receive or accept spiritual teachings because they seem nonsensical or illogical to them.
Inability to Understand: The verse underscores that without spiritual discernment, individuals cannot grasp or comprehend divine truths as they are evaluated and understood through a spiritual lens.
Theological Implications:
This verse highlights the necessity of spiritual enlightenment for understanding God's wisdom and teachings.
It emphasizes the transformative role of the Holy Spirit in illuminating and revealing spiritual truths to believers.
It underscores the contrast between worldly wisdom and divine wisdom, with the former being inadequate for comprehending matters of faith.
In essence, 1 Corinthians 2:14 serves as a reminder of the profound difference between human understanding and spiritual discernment, emphasizing the crucial role of the Holy Spirit in enabling believers to perceive and embrace the truths of God.
To further explore the Greek text behind 1 Corinthians 2:14 and unpack its lexical meanings, let us examine the following passage:
1 Corinthians 2:14 (NA28 Greek Text)
ἀλλὰ ψυχὴ ἄφωνος ὁ γέννητός ἐν τοῖς πneumati θεοῦ μή πω λαβεῖν τὰ πνευματικά· δηλοῖ γάρ αὐτά τις ἀσυνετὸς ἔστιν αὐτά· οὐκ ἔχων γὰρ ἐξ ἐπιγνώσεως αὐτά
English Translation:
"However, the unspoken soul, the generated one, has not yet received the spiritual ones; indeed, something unintelligent is shown to be this; not having from knowledge these."
Lexical Analysis:
ἀλλὰ (Alla): Conjunction meaning "but" or "however."
ψυχὴ (Psychē): Noun meaning "soul" or "life."
ἄφωνος (Aphtonos): Adjective meaning "unspoken" or "silent."
ὁ (Ho): Article indicating singular masculine subject.
γέννητός (Gennetos): Adjective meaning "generated" or "born."
ἐν (En): Preposition meaning "in" or "by means of."
τοῖς (Tois): Definite article in genitive plural form, meaning "the."
πνευματικά (Pneumatika): Noun in nominative plural form, meaning "things pertaining to the Spirit" or "spiritual things."
δηλοῖ (Deiloi): Verb meaning "shows" or "indicates."
γάρ (Gar): Particle introducing explanation or clarification.
αὐτά (Auta): Pronoun in third person neuter plural form, referring back to "spiritual things."
ἀσυνετὸς (Asyntetos): Adjective meaning "unintelligent" or "without intelligence."
ἔχων (Echon): Verb in present passive participle form, meaning "having" or "possessing."
γὰρ (Gar): Particle introducing explanation or clarification.
ἐξ (Ex): Preposition meaning "from" or "out of."
ἐπιγνώσεως (Epignoeseos): Genitive form of the noun "epignosis," meaning "knowledge" or "understanding."
Theological Implications:
1 Corinthians 2:14 presents a stark contrast between the spiritual mindset of believers and nonbelievers. The "psychē aphtonos gennetos" refers to the natural man, whose soul is silent regarding spiritual matters. The term "aphtonos" implies that the natural man does not speak or express himself concerning spiritual realities.
Furthermore, the phrase "mē pō labein ta pneumatika" reveals that the natural man does not receive or take hold of spiritual things. He remains ignorant of spiritual truths, as indicated by the absence of epignosis, or true understanding.
Lastly, the verse states that the unintelligence of the natural man is evident in his inability to comprehend spiritual matters. The term "asyntetos" connotes a lack of intellectual capacity to fathom spiritual realities.
In summary, 1 Corinthians 2:14 portrays the fundamental distinction between the spiritual comprehension of believers and the ignorance of nonbelievers. Believers possess the ability to understand spiritual truths through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, while nonbelievers remain blind to such realities. This verse reinforces the importance of spiritual discernment and the indispensable role of the Holy Spirit in unlocking the mysteries of God's Word.
In Koine Greek, the term translated as
"the natural man" in English is ψυχὴ ἀφωνοῦς γεννητῆς (psyche aphtonos genētēs)
Breaking down this expression:
ψυχή (psyche): Soul or life
ἀφωνός (aphtonos): Silent or unspoken
γέννητός (gennetos): Born or generated
Thus, "the natural man" refers to an individual who is born or generated in a state of silence regarding spiritual matters. Such a person does not possess the Holy Spirit and is incapable of understanding spiritual truths without divine revelation
Personally-I think your understanding of the "natural man" is flawed and
@Cameron143 has a firm grasp and biblical understanding re "dead in trespasses and sins"