King James Version

What Does 1 Corinthians 2:15 Mean?

1 Corinthians 2:15 in the King James Version says “But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. judgeth: or, discerneth judged: or, dis...” — study this verse from 1 Corinthians chapter 2 with commentary, cross-references, and original Greek word analysis.

“But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. judgeth: or, discerneth judged: or, discerned”

1 Corinthians 2:15 · KJV

Context

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.

14

But 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.

15

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

16

For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ. may: Gr. shall

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. The pneumatikos (πνευματικός, "spiritual person")—Spirit-indwelt believer—anakrinei panta (ἀνακρίνει πάντα, "examines/judges all things"). Anakrinō (ἀνακρίνω) means "investigate, discern, assess"—the same term used of legal examination (Acts 4:9, 12:19). Spirit-illumination enables believers to evaluate truth-claims by biblical standards (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1), including assessing teachers, doctrines, and ethical dilemmas.

Yet he himself is judged of no man (autos de hyp' oudenos anakrinetai, αὐτὸς δὲ ὑπ' οὐδενὸς ἀνακρίνεται)—unregenerate people lack capacity to properly assess Spirit-taught wisdom. This isn't claiming believers are above accountability (Galatians 6:1) but that natural reason cannot adjudicate spiritual truth. The spiritual believer operates with different epistemology; the natural person's critique reflects their unregenerate state. Paul isn't promoting subjectivism but highlighting the noetic effects of sin and grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

In Corinth's fractured church, factions judged Paul's apostleship by worldly standards—eloquence, credentials, power (1:12, 4:3-4). Paul insists such assessment is incompetent: only fellow Spirit-indwelt believers can properly evaluate apostolic ministry. This principle guards against tyranny of secular intellectual fashions. When modern critics dismiss biblical doctrines as "outdated" or "unscientific," Paul's response applies: unregenerate assessment of revelation is categorically flawed. Conversely, this isn't license for believers to reject all outside critique—only recognition that spiritual matters require spiritual discernment.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this verse guard against letting secular academic consensus determine what you believe Scripture teaches?
  2. What prevents spiritual discernment from becoming self-righteous dismissal of legitimate questions or criticisms?
  3. How can you grow in exercising spiritual judgment to test teaching and practice in your church community?

Original Language Analysis

Greek · 11 words
ὁ1 of 11
G3588

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

δὲ2 of 11

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

πνευματικὸς3 of 11

“he that is spiritual”

G4152

non-carnal, i.e., (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religiou

ἀνακρίνεται4 of 11

“is judged”

G350

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine

μὲν5 of 11
G3303

properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)

πάντα6 of 11

“all things”

G3956

all, any, every, the whole

αὐτὸς7 of 11

“he himself”

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

δὲ8 of 11

“But”

G1161

but, and, etc

ὑπ'9 of 11

“of”

G5259

under, i.e., (with the genitive case) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative case) of place (whither (

οὐδενὸς10 of 11

“no man”

G3762

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

ἀνακρίνεται11 of 11

“is judged”

G350

properly, to scrutinize, i.e., (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine

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 2:15 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 2:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Thessalonians 5:21Proverbs 28:5Hebrews 5:141 John 4:11 Corinthians 14:37Galatians 6:1

Test Your Knowledge

1 Corinthians 2 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapter1 Corinthians Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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