6 Study Sheet for I Corinthians 2:10b-16 (click here for Study Notes) The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man's spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment: "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. (NIV)
2. Paul continues by stressing that no one knows what any of us is thinking except we ourselves. No one knows the thoughts of any person "except the man's spirit within him". Similarly, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. We cannot analyze or speculate on God's thoughts or motives because as humans we have no access to that information. But, he goes on, "We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us." What has God given us which we can now understand with the enlightenment of His Spirit? (see Matt. 13:11, Eph. 3:8-11, John 14:26) If only the Holy Spirit can know the thoughts of God, what does the Holy Spirit in us enable us to know?
3. Paul has emphasized that he does not preach with words of "human wisdom" but "in words taught by the Spirit". (I Cor. 1:17; 2:1,4) These "words taught by the Spirit" express "spiritual truths in spiritual words." This passage could also be translated "in words taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to spiritual men." Why are "words taught by the Spirit" required to teach spiritual truths? Is "spiritual truth" different from "secular" truth or information? How? How are "words taught by the Spirit" different from ordinary words?
4. Paul plainly states that "the man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned." What does it mean to discern spiritually? Is this discernment a rational, cognitive process? How and/or where does it happen? (see John 14:16-17; 15:26-27)
5. What does Paul mean when he says in verse 15, "The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man's judgment"? What makes a person "spiritual"? In Matthew 7:1 Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged." How then can a spiritual man make "judgments about all things"? If a spiritual man can make judgments about all things, why is he "not subject to any man's judgment"? How is "any man's judgment" different from a spiritual man's judgments?
6. Paul ends this passage by stating boldly, "But we have the mind of Christ." What does this statement mean to us? (see John 15:15) If we have the mind of Christ, what are we able to share? (verses 11, 12) What are we qualified to do?
7. How can we know if we have "words taught by the Spirit" and "the mind of Christ"? How can we discern between our own thoughts and the thoughts of Christ? How do we handle the tension of our sinful selves being in conflict with the Spirit in us?
8. Do you have pockets of arrogance or self-sufficiency in your heart
that stand in the way of your fully experiencing the mind of Christ? What
pride or competency do you need to submit to Jesus, asking him to humble
you and make you receptive to the wisdom of his Spirit?
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Studio, Redlands, CA USA. All rights reserved. Revised April 23, 2000.
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