1 Corinthians 2:15-16  “The Spiritual Person –True and False Spirituality”

By Bob DeWaay

1 Corinthians 2:14 defined the natural man as the one who does not have the Spirit and therefore rejects the things of God (Christ crucified). This sermon covers the use and misuse of Paul’s categories which either leads to discernment or error. The spiritual person who judges rightly sees the various religious messages of the world to lead away from God’s one true message of salvation. Those who know Christ by faith alone reject any spiritual claim that leads away from the truth. However, some in Corinth already were making false judgments. They “judged” Paul to be inferior to others and refused to be corrected. Some of those who caused the schisms and problems considered themselves to be the truly spiritual.

In the next chapter, Paul will use irony to show how fleshly they were. The true spiritual person will not judge other members of the body of Christ to be inferior to themselves. We show how through equivocation, many even today claim superior status and misinterpret Paul’s words. Thus they ironically repeat the error Paul wrote to correct. Paul cites Isaiah 40:13 to make an important point that is relevant today: no one can instruct God! The mind of Christ is God’s revealed purpose: salvation through His Messiah. The applications we make are focused on the person and work of Christ. False apostles get it wrong. World religions get it wrong. Those who turn to Christ through the gospel are part of His people. False spirituality rejects true apostolic authority and exalts deceived, religious leaders.