1 Corinthians 2:11

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

For who knows the inner workings of a person except the person’s own spirit inside him? So too no one knows the inner workings of God except God’s Spirit.

Berean Standard Bible:

For who among men knows the thoughts of man except his own spirit within him? So too, no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

American Standard Version:

For who among men knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of the man, which is in him? even so the things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

For^{G1063} what^{G5101} man^{G444} knoweth^{G1492} the things^{G3588} of a man^{G444}, save^{G1508} the spirit^{G4151} of man^{G444} which^{G3588} is in^{G1722} him^{G846}? even^{G2532} so^{G3779} the things^{G3588} of God^{G2316} knoweth^{G1492} no man^{G3762}, but^{G1508} the Spirit^{G4151} of God^{G2316}.

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Commentary for 1 Corinthians 2:11

1 Corinthians 2:11 is a verse from the New Testament, written by the Apostle Paul to the early Christian church in Corinth, a city in ancient Greece. This verse is part of Paul's larger discourse on wisdom and the nature of human knowledge in relation to divine revelation. In the historical context, Corinth was a diverse and cosmopolitan city, with a mix of cultural and philosophical influences, which sometimes led to disputes and confusion within the Christian community.

The themes of 1 Corinthians 2:11 revolve around epistemology—the study of knowledge—and spiritual discernment. Paul is addressing the limitations of human understanding when it comes to grasping the "things of God." He argues that just as only the human spirit within a person can fully comprehend the inner workings of that individual's mind and emotions, similarly, the profound truths of God are only fully understood through the Spirit of God. This verse emphasizes the inadequacy of human reason alone to grasp spiritual truths, highlighting the necessity of the Holy Spirit's guidance for believers to truly know God and His ways.

In essence, Paul is reassuring the Corinthian Christians that while human wisdom is fallible and limited, the wisdom of God, revealed through the Holy Spirit, is perfect and complete. This concept would have been particularly comforting to the Corinthians, who were grappling with various doctrinal and ethical issues and needed to discern true spiritual wisdom from the myriad of philosophies and teachings present in their society. The verse underscores the unique and intimate relationship between God and His people, made possible through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, who illuminates the mind and heart to receive and understand divine revelation.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: G1063
   There are 1016 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: γάρ
   Transliteration: gár
   Pronunciation: gar
   Description: a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.
   
2. Strong's Number: G5101
   There are 483 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: τίς
   Transliteration: tís
   Pronunciation: tis
   Description: probably emphatic of τὶς; an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions):--every man, how (much), + no(-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where (-by, -fore, -of, -unto, - with, -withal), whether, which, who(-m, -se), why.
   
3. Strong's Number: G444
   There are 614 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἄνθρωπος
   Transliteration: ánthrōpos
   Pronunciation: anth'-ro-pos
   Description: from ἀνήρ and (the countenance; from ὀπτάνομαι); man-faced, i.e. a human being:--certain, man.
   
4. Strong's Number: G1492
   There are 626 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἴδω
   Transliteration: eídō
   Pronunciation: i'-do
   Description: a primary verb; used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent ὀπτάνομαι and ὁράω; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by implication, (in the perfect tense only) to know:--be aware, behold, X can (+ not tell), consider, (have) know(-ledge), look (on), perceive, see, be sure, tell, understand, wish, wot. Compare ὀπτάνομαι.
   
5. Strong's Number: G3588
   There are 498 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ὁ
   Transliteration: ho
   Pronunciation: to
   Description: the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom):--the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.
   
6. Strong's Number: G1508
   There are 87 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: εἰ μή
   Transliteration: ei mḗ
   Pronunciation: i may
   Description: from εἰ and μή; if not:--but, except (that), if not, more than, save (only) that, saving, till.
   
7. Strong's Number: G4151
   There are 350 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: πνεῦμα
   Transliteration: pneûma
   Pronunciation: pnyoo'-mah
   Description: from πνέω; 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 principle, mental disposition, etc., or (superhuman) an angel, demon, or (divine) God, Christ's spirit, the Holy Spirit:--ghost, life, spirit(-ual, -ually), mind. Compare ψυχή.
   
8. Strong's Number: G1722
   There are 2129 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: ἐν
   Transliteration: en
   Pronunciation: en
   Description: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between εἰς and ἐκ); "in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.:--about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (… sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
   
9. Strong's Number: G846
   There are 3776 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: αὐτός
   Transliteration: autós
   Pronunciation: ow-tos'
   Description: from the particle (perhaps akin to the base of ἀήρ through the idea of a baffling wind) (backward); the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative ἑαυτοῦ) of the third person , and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons:--her, it(-self), one, the other, (mine) own, said, (self-), the) same, ((him-, my-, thy- )self, (your-)selves, she, that, their(-s), them(-selves), there(-at, - by, -in, -into, -of, -on, -with), they, (these) things, this (man), those, together, very, which. Compare αὑτοῦ.
   
10. Strong's Number: G2532
    There are 5212 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: καί
    Transliteration: kaí
    Pronunciation: kahee
    Description: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
    
11. Strong's Number: G3779
    There are 206 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὕτω
    Transliteration: hoútō
    Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
    Description: adverb from οὗτος; in this way (referring to what precedes or follows):--after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like(-wise), no more, on this fashion(-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.
    
12. Strong's Number: G2316
    There are 1172 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: θεός
    Transliteration: theós
    Pronunciation: theh'-os
    Description: of uncertain affinity; a deity, especially (with ὁ) the supreme Divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; by Hebraism, very:--X exceeding, God, god(-ly, -ward).
    
13. Strong's Number: G3762
    There are 224 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: οὐδείς
    Transliteration: oudeís
    Pronunciation: oo-den'
    Description: from οὐδέ and εἷς; not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e. none, nobody, nothing:--any (man), aught, man, neither any (thing), never (man), no (man), none (+ of these things), not (any, at all, -thing), nought.