Their Scriptural Meaning And Application
There are a number of doctrinal terms in Paul’s writings that denote certain lines of truth, which, when understood, have an immense practical bearing on our lives. I would like to look at twelve of these terms, in what could be called “Paul’s twelve men.” They are as follows:
The “old man.”
The “new man.”
The “first man.”
The “second man.”
The “outward man.”
The “inward man.”
The “natural man.”
The “spiritual” man.
The “carnal” man.
The “perfect man.”
A “wretched man.”
A “man in Christ.”
Discerning and Approving the Things that Differ
It is God’s desire that we grow in our spiritual apprehension of the truth. It is of immense importance, therefore, that we pay attention to the distinctions in doctrine in His Word. If we do, these divine distinctions will open up a vista of truth before our souls. While God would have us to learn these various aspects of the truth, He in no way intends for us to make them a mere intellectual exercise. Every doctrine in Scripture, if learned rightly, should have a practical bearing on our lives. The Apostle Paul prayed to this end for the saints. He said, “I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in full knowledge and all intelligence, that ye may judge of and approve the things that are more excellent[differ], in order that ye may be pure and without offence for Christ’s day” (Phil. 1:9-10). He wanted the saints to have “full knowledge” and “all intelligence” and be able to distinguish “the things that differ” in God’s Word, to the end that they would live blamelessly and without offence in this world.
In general, Christians today read their Bibles far too casually. Many do not think that it is necessary to conduct a careful study of the Scriptures. Fine-drawn distinctions, such as what we are about to look at, to them, are hair-splitting and profitless. Unfortunately, this casual approach to Scriptural subjects has led many to confuse and misuse the various terms in Paul’s doctrine. These “twelve men” are an example. If we are not careful to maintain these Scriptural distinctions, it could lead to the eventual loss of the distinctive truths of Christianity altogether. Mr. Kelly said, “It is needful to heed the distinctions made and given in Scripture. Fear not to believe the Word. Cavilers may and do say that these are fine-drawn distinctions. If God has so revealed His truth to us (and Scripture alone decides that He has), they may be exquisitely fine, but they are according to Him in whose wisdom and goodness we confide. We are bound to distinguish where and as God does; if we fail to follow this, we shall find out too late our loss ... .All progress in real knowledge is tested by, as growth in true wisdom largely consists in, distinguishing things that differ.”
We do not want to “make a man an offender for a word” in these things (Isa. 29:21), for we have all probably used these terms wrongly at times. Nevertheless, we should want to learn their proper Scriptural meaning when they are pointed out to us, and begin using them correctly. The intention of this booklet, therefore, is to give the reader a better understanding of these Pauline terms. It is our sincere desire that these things would also have a practical effect on our lives.
Most of these terms appear in Scripture as couplets—as contrasting pairs. The Spirit of God presents them in this way because we grasp things better by comparing their contrasting qualities. This being the case, we will take them up in pairs.