The "Natural Man" and the "Spiritual Man"

1 Corinthians 2:14‑15  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 8
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The terms having to do with “natural” and “spiritual” men are found in 1 Corinthians 2:14-1514But 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. 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (1 Corinthians 2:14‑15). “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. But he that is spiritual judgeth [discerns] all things, yet he himself is judged [discerned] of no man.” This couplet contrasts men who do not have the Spirit of God with those who do.
THE NATURAL MAN
The “natural man” is a term used to describe man in his lost condition apart from the new birth. Without the new life and the indwelling Spirit, he does not have an inward faculty to process and understand spiritual concepts and truth. Therefore, he is completely devoid of understanding the divine revelation. Nor can he by his own searching find out God (Job 11:77Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? (Job 11:7)). In this condition, the “natural man:”
Cannot “see” (John 3:33Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)).
Cannot “enter” (John 3:55Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)).
Cannot “receive” (John 3:27, 3227John answered and said, A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven. (John 3:27)
32And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony. (John 3:32)).
Cannot “come” (John 6:44, 6544No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:44)
65And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. (John 6:65)).
Cannot “tell” [understand] (John 8:1414Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. (John 8:14)).
Cannot “hear” (John 8:43, 4743Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. (John 8:43)
47He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. (John 8:47)).
Cannot “please God” (Rom. 8:88So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:8)).
In verse 9 of this chapter, Paul quotes from Isaiah to show that men have three main ways of learning: the “eye”—observation, the “ear”—tradition (listening to things that have been handed down by previous generations), and the “heart”—intuition (by the instincts of the heart). But these three methods in themselves are not enough to apprehend divine subjects and to find the true wisdom of God. Note: the passage that he quotes is in the negative. It says, “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man...” Hence, the truth of God is not discovered by the natural senses of man, regardless of how keen they may be in an individual. It requires an action of the Spirit of God.
THE SPIRITUAL MAN
The “spiritual” man is a believer who is born of God and indwelt with the Spirit but who also lives under the control of the Spirit. As a result, the Spirit of God illuminates his soul, and he is capable of understanding God’s revelation in His Word. The Spirit of God gives him the capacity to think on spiritual terms and to know the truth, and thus he is instructed in “the mind of Christ” (vs. 16).
Some Practical Considerations
Knowing that we are totally dependent on the Spirit of God to know the truth should make us thankful for His operations in us. However, while every Christian has the indwelling Spirit, that in itself is not enough to enable him to discern the truth. There are many believers (who have the Holy Spirit) who are thoroughly confused when it comes to the truth. The Christian must be “filled with the Spirit” and be in communion with the Lord in order to get the practical benefit of the Spirit’s presence (Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18)). And let us remember that today’s filling will not do for tomorrow. We need to be:
“Daily” searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:1111These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)).
“Daily” crying out to God in prayer (Psa. 86:33Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily. (Psalm 86:3)).
“Daily” taking up our cross and following Christ (Luke 9:2323And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)).