King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 2:11 Mean?

1 Corinthians 2:11 in the King James Version says “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no m... — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:11 · KJV


Context

9

But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

10

But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

11

For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

12

Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

13

Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth ; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Paul employs an argument from analogy: human self-knowledge parallels divine self-knowledge. Tis oiden (τίς οἶδεν, "who knows") emphasizes exclusive knowledge. To pneuma tou anthrōpou to en autō (τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ, "the spirit of man within him") refers to human consciousness—inner thoughts, motives, memories inaccessible to others.

The comparison—even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God (houtōs kai ta tou theou oudeis egnōken ei mē to pneuma tou theou, οὕτως καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐδεὶς ἔγνωκεν εἰ μὴ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ)—establishes Spirit's unique epistemological position. Only divine self-disclosure makes God knowable. This undergirds Trinitarian theology: Spirit's comprehensive knowledge of God indicates full deity (contra Arian or subordinationist views). If Spirit were creature, He couldn't exhaustively know Creator. The argument also refutes mystical claims to direct divine knowledge apart from Spirit-given revelation.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient philosophy debated knowledge's possibility. Skeptics doubted certain knowledge; rationalists trusted reason; Gnostics claimed secret illumination. Paul's analogy drew on common human experience: you can't read minds. Jewish thought emphasized God's transcendence (Isaiah 55:8-9); Greek thought often made divine knowable through philosophical inquiry. Paul steers between extremes: God is knowable because He reveals Himself through Spirit; yet unknowable apart from that gracious revelation. The Spirit's deity becomes implicit apologetic.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse challenge both rationalist confidence that humans can figure God out and mystical claims to secret knowledge?
  2. What does the Spirit's comprehensive knowledge of God reveal about His divine nature and role in the Trinity?
  3. How should recognizing that God is known only through His self-revelation shape your approach to theology and apologetics?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 29 words
τίς1 of 29

what

G5101

an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)

γὰρ2 of 29

For

G1063

properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)

οἶδεν3 of 29

knoweth

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

ἀνθρώπου4 of 29

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τοῦ5 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ6 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου7 of 29

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

εἰ8 of 29
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ9 of 29
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

τοῦ10 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα11 of 29

the Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τοῦ12 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἀνθρώπου13 of 29

man

G444

man-faced, i.e., a human being

τοῦ14 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

ἐν15 of 29

is in

G1722

"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc

αὐτῷ16 of 29

him

G846

the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons

οὕτως17 of 29

so

G3779

in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)

καὶ18 of 29

even

G2532

and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words

τοῦ19 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

τοῦ20 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ21 of 29

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

οὐδεὶς22 of 29

no man

G3762

not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing

οἶδεν23 of 29

knoweth

G1492

used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl

εἰ24 of 29
G1487

if, whether, that, etc

μὴ25 of 29
G3361

(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether

τοῦ26 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

πνεῦμα27 of 29

the Spirit

G4151

a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin

τοῦ28 of 29

the things

G3588

the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)

θεοῦ29 of 29

of God

G2316

a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Corinthians. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Corinthians 2:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Corinthians 2:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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