Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised.

King James Version

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.

Holman Bible

But the unbeliever does not welcome what comes from God’s Spirit, because it is foolishness to him; he is not able to understand it since it is evaluated spiritually.

International Standard Version

A person who isn't spiritual doesn't accept the things of God's Spirit, for they are nonsense to him. He can't understand them because they are spiritually evaluated.

A Conservative Version

Now the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is unable to understand because they are evaluated spiritually.

American Standard Version

Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

Amplified

But the natural [unbelieving] man does not accept the things [the teachings and revelations] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness [absurd and illogical] to him; and he is incapable of understanding them, because they are spiritually discerned and appreciated, [and he is unqualified to judge spiritual matters].

An Understandable Version

Now the natural person [Note: Since this person is contrasted with the spiritual person of verse 15, it is taken here to mean the person without the Holy Spirit] does not receive the things [i.e., truths] revealed by the Holy Spirit of God, because they are [considered] foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them because they must be discerned by using spiritual judgment [i.e., judgment aided by the Holy Spirit].

Anderson New Testament

But an animal man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he can not know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Bible in Basic English

For the natural man is not able to take in the things of the Spirit of God: for they seem foolish to him, and he is not able to have knowledge of them, because such knowledge comes only through the Spirit.

Common New Testament

But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Daniel Mace New Testament

but the animal man does not receive the effusions of the spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; neither can he understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Darby Translation

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him; and he cannot know them because they are spiritually discerned;

Godbey New Testament

But the intellectual man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; and he is not able to know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Goodspeed New Testament

A material man will not accept what the Spirit of God offers. It seems mere folly to him, and he cannot understand it, because it takes spiritual insight to see its true value.

John Wesley New Testament

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit; for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Julia Smith Translation

And the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: and he cannot know, for they are spiritually examined.

King James 2000

But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Lexham Expanded Bible

But the natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand [them], because they are spiritually discerned.

Modern King James verseion

But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

For the natural man perceiveth not the things of the spirit of God, for they are but foolishness unto him: Neither can he perceive them, because he is spiritually examined.

Moffatt New Testament

The unspiritual man rejects these truths of the Spirit of God; to him they are 'sheer folly,' he cannot understand them. And the reason is, that they must be read with the spiritual eye.

Montgomery New Testament

The unspiritual man rejects the teachings of God's Spirit; for him it is folly. He cannot understand it, for it is spiritually discerned,

NET Bible

The unbeliever does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him. And he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

New Heart English Bible

Now the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Noyes New Testament

But the unspiritual man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know them; because they are spiritually discerned.

Sawyer New Testament

But the natural man receives not the [things] of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot know them, for they are spiritually discerned.

The Emphasized Bible

But, a man of the soul, doth not welcome the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, and he cannot get to know them, because, spiritually, are they examined;

Thomas Haweis New Testament

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are folly to him: and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Twentieth Century New Testament

The merely intellectual man rejects the teaching of the Spirit of God; for to him it is mere folly; he cannot grasp it, because it is to be understood only by spiritual insight.

Webster

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Weymouth New Testament

The unspiritual man rejects the things of the Spirit of God, and cannot attain to the knowledge of them, because they are spiritually judged.

Williams New Testament

An unspiritual man does not accept the things that the Spirit of God teaches, for they are nonsense to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are appreciated by spiritual insight.

World English Bible

Now the natural man doesn't receive the things of God's Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can't know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Worrell New Testament

But a natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

Worsley New Testament

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Youngs Literal Translation

and the natural man doth not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for to him they are foolishness, and he is not able to know them, because spiritually they are discerned;

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
But
δέ 
De 
but, and, now, then, also, yet, yea, so, moreover, nevertheless, for, even, , not tr
Usage: 2184

the natural
ψυχικός 
Psuchikos 
Usage: 6

man
ἄνθρωπος 
Anthropos 
man, not tr,
Usage: 316

δέχομαι 
Dechomai 
Usage: 30

not
οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

the things

which, who, the things, the son,
Usage: 0

of the Spirit
πνεῦμα 
Pneuma 
Usage: 334

of God
θεός 
theos 
Usage: 1151

for
γάρ 
Gar 
for, , not tr
Usage: 825

ἐστί 
Esti 
is, are, was, be, have, not tr, , vr is
Usage: 585

μωρία 
Moria 
Usage: 5


Usage: 0

οὐ 
Ou 
not, no, cannot ,
Usage: 1032

can
δύναμαι 
Dunamai 
can , cannot , be able, may , able,
Usage: 140

he know
γινώσκω 
Ginosko 
Usage: 147

ὅτι 
Hoti 
Usage: 764

πνευματικῶς 
Pneumatikos 
Usage: 2

Images 1 Corinthians 2:14

Prayers for 1 Corinthians 2:14

Context Readings

The Wisdom Revealed By The Spirit

13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but with doctrine of the Holy Spirit, jointly fitting spiritual things by spiritual means. 14 But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. 15 But he that is spiritual discerns all things, yet he is discerned by no one.

Cross References

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the word of the cross is foolishness to those that perish, but unto us who are saved, it is the power of God.

Jude 1:19

These are those who make divisions, and are as animals, not having the Spirit.

Matthew 13:11-17

He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it is not given.

1 Corinthians 15:44

it is sown a natural body, it shall be raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.

Matthew 16:23

But he turned and said unto Peter, Remove thyself from before me, Satan; thou art an offence unto me, for thou dost not understand that which is of God, but that which is of men.

John 3:3-6

Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a person be born again from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

John 5:44

How can ye believe, who take glory one from another, and seek not the glory that comes only from God?

John 8:51-52

Verily, verily, I say unto you, If anyone keeps my word, he shall not see death forever.

1 Corinthians 15:46

Howbeit the spiritual is not first, but the natural; and afterward, that which is spiritual.

James 3:15

This wisdom is not that which descends from above, but is earthly, natural, diabolical.

Proverbs 14:6

The scorner sought wisdom and found it not, but wisdom comes easy unto him that understands.

John 6:44-45

No one can come to me unless the Father who has sent me draws him, and I will raise him up in the last day.

John 8:43

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.

John 10:20

And many of them said, He has a demon and is beside himself; why do ye hear him?

John 10:26-27

But ye believe not because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.

John 12:37

But although he had done so many signs before them, yet they did not believe in him,

John 14:26

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all the things that I have said unto you.

John 15:26

But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me;

John 16:8-15

And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment:

Acts 16:14

Then a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who feared God, heard us, whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul.

Acts 17:18

Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans and of the Stoics encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? others, He seems to be a setter forth of new gods, because he preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection.

Acts 17:32

And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter.

Acts 18:15

but if it is a question of words and names and of your law, look ye to it, for I will be no judge of such matters.

Acts 25:19

but had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, who was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.

Acts 26:24-25

And as he spoke these things and answered for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

Romans 8:5-8

For those that are according to the flesh know the things that are of the flesh; but those that are according to the Spirit, the things that are of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 1:23

but we preach Christ crucified, , unto the Jews a stumblingblock and unto the Gentiles foolishness;

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things that God has given us.

2 Corinthians 4:4-6

In whom the god of this age has blinded the understanding of those who do not believe, that the light of the gospel of the glory of the Christ, who is the image of God, should not shine in them.

1 John 2:20

But ye have the anointing of the Holy One, and ye know all things.

1 John 2:27

But the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you, and ye do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you of all things and is truth, and is no lie; and even as it has taught you, abide ye in him.

1 John 5:20

But we know that the Son of God is come and has given us understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain