1 Corinthians 2:15 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Bible Comments

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

He that is spiritual - literally, 'the spiritual (man).' In 1 Corinthians 2:14 the Greek is 'A' (not "the") natural man. The spiritual is the man distinguished as he in whom the Spirit rules. In the unregenerate the spirit, the organ of the Holy Spirit, is overridden by the animal soul, and as in abeyance, so that such a one is never called "spiritual."

Judgeth all things - and persons by their true standard (cf. 1 Corinthians 6:2-4; 1 Corinthians 14:24; 1 John 4:1), in so far as he is spiritual. 'Discerneth ... is discerned,' better accord with the translation, 1 Corinthians 2:14. Otherwise, for "discerned," in 1 Corinthians 2:14, translate 'judged of,' to accord with "judgeth ... is judged," in this 15th verse. He has a practical insight into Gospel verities, though not infallible or impeccable (Matthew 28:20; John 16:13). As the believer and the Church have the Spirit, and are yet not therefore impeccable, so he and the Church have the Spirit, and yet are not infallible or impeccable. Both are infallible and impeccable only in the degree in which they are led by the Spirit. The Spirit leads into all truth and holiness; but His influence on believers and the Church is as yet partial. Jesus alone, who had the Spirit without measure (John 3:34), is both infallible and impeccable. Scripture, because written by men who, while writing, were infallibly inspired, is unmixed truth (Proverbs 30:5; Psalms 12:6).

Himself is judged of no man - that is not spiritual; and even by them only partially (1 Corinthians 4:3).

1 Corinthians 2:15

15 But he that is spiritual judgethc all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.