1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4 (Part 13) Man's Response to Truth and Revelation

Man’s Response to Truth and Revelation 2:14-3:4

The message/word of the cross has two evaluations—1:18

• The perishing--foolishness

• The saved--power

The response of the perishing to truth—2:14

• “”Natural”—the word is pseukekos—(what it connotes and denotes) . . .

o Points to the natural world in contrast to the spiritual (supernatural) world

o Devoid of God

o Anyone untouched by God’s Spirit

o Anyone whose motives do not rise above the human

• Deficiencies of being “pseukekos” (natural)

o Does not “receive” (welcome)—this word involves enthusiasm

o The things of the Spirit of God—in context this is revelation and inspiration (the Word of God)

 The natural man does not welcome the Word nor does he have any enthusiasm about it

 They are foolishness to him—why? . . .

 He cannot know them--

 They are foolishness to him—why? . . .

 He cannot know them—he does not and cannot know them

The saved response to God’s truth and revelation—2:15-3:4

• Spiritual--2:15

• Carnal—3:1

Spiritual—2:15-16

• Characterized by the Spirit

• This person is characterized by dominant control of the Holy Spirit—and is both indwelt and controlled by the Holy Spirit

o Note--to be indwelt does not mean to be spiritual

• “Judges”—comes to conclusions—“he that is spiritual (indwelt and controlled) comes to the right conclusion with regard to spiritual things—namely God’s truth and revelation”

o Major premise (v. 16)—no one can instruct God

o Minor premise—we have the mind of Christ

 Conclusion—“he is judged of no man” (v. 15): 1) True wisdom is God’s and we have that is the issue; 2) Note—whether natural or spiritual the issue always is how one relates to the Word

Carnal (controlled by the sin nature)—3:1-4

• The limitations it imposes—3:2

• The manifestations it makes—3:3-4