1 Corinthians 2:15

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

But {G1161} he that is spiritual {G4152} judgeth {G350}{G3303} all things {G3956}, yet {G1161} he himself {G846} is judged {G350} of {G5259} no man {G3762}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the person who has the Spirit can evaluate everything, while no one is in a position to evaluate him.

Berean Standard Bible

The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.

American Standard Version

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, and he himself is judged of no man.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Corinthians 2:15 profoundly declares the unique capacity of the spiritual person, one indwelt and guided by the Holy Spirit, to discern and evaluate all matters from a divine perspective. This spiritual insight allows them to accurately assess truth, wisdom, and reality, while simultaneously rendering them immune to the flawed and limited judgments of those who lack spiritual understanding. The verse highlights a fundamental distinction between divine wisdom, accessible through the Spirit, and human wisdom, which is inherently incapable of grasping spiritual truths.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal statement within Paul's broader argument in 1 Corinthians 2, which contrasts human wisdom with God's wisdom revealed through the Holy Spirit. Paul begins the chapter by asserting that his preaching was not based on eloquent words or persuasive human wisdom, but on the demonstration of the Spirit and power, so that the Corinthians' faith would rest on God's power, not human wisdom ([1 Corinthians 2:1-5](/1_corinthians/2-1-5 "Paul's Preaching Not of Human Wisdom")). He then introduces the concept of a "secret and hidden wisdom of God" that God predestined for their glory, which none of the rulers of this age understood ([1 Corinthians 2:6-8](/1_corinthians/2-6-8 "God's Hidden Wisdom")). This divine wisdom is revealed by the Spirit, who searches "everything, even the deep things of God" ([1 Corinthians 2:10](/1_corinthians/2-10 "The Spirit Reveals God's Deep Things")). Paul then draws a direct comparison: just as no one knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit, so no one knows God's thoughts except the Spirit of God ([1 Corinthians 2:11](/1_corinthians/2-11 "Only the Spirit Knows God's Thoughts")). The preceding verse, [1 Corinthians 2:14](/1_corinthians/2-14 "The Natural Man Cannot Understand Spiritual Things"), explicitly states that "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." Verse 15 logically follows, presenting the spiritual person as the antithesis of the natural man, possessing the very discernment that the natural man lacks.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Corinth was a bustling, cosmopolitan city, a major commercial hub known for its wealth, diverse philosophical schools, and moral laxity. Greek culture highly valued rhetoric, philosophical debate, and human wisdom, often equating intellectual prowess with truth. This cultural backdrop explains why some Corinthians might have been drawn to eloquent speakers or philosophical arguments over the seemingly "foolishness" of the cross ([1 Corinthians 1:18](/1_corinthians/1-18 "The Message of the Cross is Foolishness to the Perishing")). Paul's letter directly confronts this cultural bias, asserting that God's wisdom operates on an entirely different plane, one that is often counter-intuitive to human reasoning. The concept of "spiritual discernment" would have been foreign to the prevailing intellectual currents, which relied on logic, empirical observation, and human reason as the ultimate arbiters of truth. Paul is challenging the very foundation of their cultural understanding of wisdom and knowledge, redirecting them to a divine source.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of [1 Corinthians 2](/1_corinthians/2 "1 Corinthians 2 - Wisdom from the Spirit") is the **nature of true wisdom** and its source. Paul systematically contrasts **human wisdom** (which is limited, perishable, and cannot comprehend God's truth) with **God's wisdom** (which is revealed by the Spirit, profound, and leads to salvation). This leads to the theme of **spiritual discernment**, which is the unique ability granted by the Holy Spirit to understand and evaluate spiritual truths. The spiritual person, indwelt by the Spirit, possesses the "mind of Christ" ([1 Corinthians 2:16](/1_corinthians/2-16 "We Have the Mind of Christ")), enabling them to grasp realities that are foolishness to the natural mind. Another key theme is the **role of the Holy Spirit** as the revealer and enabler of divine understanding. The Spirit is not merely an emotional experience but the very agent through whom God communicates His profound truths to believers, empowering them to live in accordance with His will and discern His ways.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **spiritual (Greek, _pneumatikós'_):** Derived from _pneuma_ (spirit), this term describes a person who is characterized by, controlled by, or filled with the Holy Spirit. It stands in direct contrast to _psychikos_ (natural, soulish), which describes a person governed by their natural human faculties, apart from divine influence. To be "spiritual" is to have one's mind and life illuminated and guided by the Spirit of God, enabling a supernatural capacity for understanding and living.
* **judgeth (Greek, _anakrínō'_):** This verb means to scrutinize, investigate, examine, discern, or determine. It implies a thorough and careful process of evaluation, not a hasty or superficial condemnation. When applied to the spiritual person, it signifies their ability to deeply investigate and correctly assess the true nature of things—teachings, situations, motives, and spiritual realities—by the Spirit's illumination. When used in the passive voice ("is judged"), it means to be examined or evaluated.
* **all things (Greek, _pâs'_):** This comprehensive term means "all," "every," or "the whole." In this context, it signifies the spiritual person's capacity to discern comprehensively across all areas of life and truth, particularly those pertaining to spiritual realities and God's will. It does not imply omniscience but a holistic, Spirit-empowered perspective that can accurately evaluate the world and its systems in light of divine truth.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But he that is spiritual judgeth all things":** This clause introduces the spiritual person, defined by their indwelling and guidance by the Holy Spirit. The verb "judgeth" (anakrínō) signifies a profound capacity for discernment, examination, and evaluation. This spiritual individual is uniquely equipped to scrutinize and understand "all things"—not merely religious matters, but the entirety of life, truth, and even the hidden motives and spiritual forces at play in the world. This judgment is not a critical condemnation of others but an informed assessment of reality from God's perspective.
* **"yet he himself is judged of no man":** This second clause highlights the spiritual person's immunity from the judgment of the "natural man." Because the spiritual person operates on a plane of divine wisdom, those who lack the Holy Spirit cannot truly comprehend, evaluate, or accurately assess the spiritual person's motives, actions, or understanding. Their judgments are based on human wisdom and worldly standards, which are insufficient and often antagonistic to spiritual truth. Therefore, the spiritual person's ultimate standard of truth and validation comes from God alone, not from human opinion or worldly critique.

#### Literary Devices
Paul employs several effective literary devices in this verse. **Contrast** is central, setting the "spiritual" person against the implied "natural" person (from the preceding verse), highlighting the stark difference in their capacities for understanding and evaluation. The phrase "judgeth all things" uses **Hyperbole** to emphasize the comprehensive nature of the spiritual person's discernment, not implying literal omniscience but rather a holistic and Spirit-empowered ability to evaluate all aspects of life and truth. Finally, the verse presents a **Paradox**: the one who possesses the profound ability to judge and discern all things is, ironically, beyond the judgment or comprehension of those who lack that very spiritual insight. This paradox underscores the unique, divine source of the spiritual person's wisdom.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Corinthians 2:15 is a profound statement on the nature of spiritual discernment, emphasizing that true understanding of God's ways and the world comes not from human intellect or worldly wisdom, but directly from the Holy Spirit. This verse underscores the radical transformation that occurs when a person is indwelt by the Spirit, granting them a divine perspective that transcends mere human reasoning. It speaks to the sovereignty of God in revealing His truth and the necessity of spiritual rebirth for genuine comprehension. The spiritual person is thus equipped to evaluate doctrines, make moral decisions, and navigate life's complexities through the lens of divine truth, unswayed by the shifting tides of human opinion or the limitations of unregenerate thought.

* [John 14:26](/john/14-26 "The Holy Spirit, the Teacher")
* [Romans 8:5-6](/romans/8-5-6 "Mind Set on the Spirit vs. Flesh")
* [Hebrews 5:14](/hebrews/5-14 "Discernment Through Practice")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Corinthians 2:15 offers both profound encouragement and a significant challenge to believers today. It assures us that as those indwelt by the Holy Spirit, we possess an unparalleled capacity for understanding truth and discerning God's will, a wisdom that far surpasses any human philosophy or worldly insight. This means we are not left to our own devices to navigate the complexities of life, but are empowered by the Spirit to evaluate teachings, make ethical choices, and understand spiritual realities from a divine perspective. This discernment should lead to humility, not arrogance, recognizing that our insight is a gift from God. Furthermore, the verse reminds us that when our Spirit-led convictions are misunderstood or criticized by those who do not share our spiritual foundation, we should not be surprised or unduly disturbed. Their inability to comprehend our spiritual walk is not a reflection of our error, but a limitation of their own unspiritual perspective. Our ultimate validation comes from God, through His Spirit, not from human approval. This calls us to cultivate a deeper walk with the Spirit, allowing Him to continually illuminate our minds and guide our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I primarily rely on human wisdom versus seeking the discernment of the Holy Spirit?**
* **How does understanding that I "am judged of no man" impact my response to criticism from those who do not share my faith?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a deeper reliance on the Holy Spirit for discernment in my daily decisions and understanding of truth?**

### FAQ
**Does "judgeth all things" mean that spiritual people are infallible or should be judgmental of others?**

Answer: No, "judgeth all things" (anakrínō) does not imply infallibility or a license to condemn others. Rather, it refers to the spiritual person's Spirit-empowered ability to scrutinize, evaluate, and discern truth from error, good from evil, and God's will from human opinion, across all aspects of life. This discernment is primarily for their own understanding and guidance, and for the benefit of the body of Christ, enabling them to correctly assess teachings, situations, and motives. It is a capacity for spiritual insight, not a call to harsh, critical judgment of individuals. The context of [1 Corinthians 2](/1_corinthians/2 "1 Corinthians 2 - Wisdom from the Spirit") emphasizes understanding God's wisdom, not human condemnation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Corinthians 2:15 finds its ultimate fulfillment and meaning in Christ, who is Himself "the wisdom of God" ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "Christ, the Wisdom of God")). The spiritual person's ability to "judge all things" and be "judged of no man" is fundamentally rooted in having "the mind of Christ" ([1 Corinthians 2:16](/1_corinthians/2-16 "We Have the Mind of Christ")). Jesus, as the perfect embodiment of divine wisdom, perfectly discerned all things and was utterly unswayed by human judgment or worldly standards. He consistently exposed the folly of human wisdom and religious hypocrisy, speaking with an authority that confounded His critics ([Matthew 7:28-29](/matthew/7-28-29 "Jesus Taught with Authority")). Though He was "judged" and condemned by men, His ultimate vindication came from God through His resurrection, demonstrating the utter inadequacy of human judgment against divine truth ([Acts 2:23-24](/acts/2-23-24 "God Raised Jesus From the Dead")). Through the indwelling Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of Christ, believers are progressively conformed to Christ's image, gaining His divine perspective and discernment. This enables them to live according to God's truth, even when it means being misunderstood or rejected by a world that cannot comprehend the things of the Spirit, just as Christ Himself was. The spiritual person's discernment is therefore a participation in Christ's own perfect wisdom and a reflection of His victory over the world's limited understanding.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Thessalonians 5:21

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

Proverbs 28:5

¶ Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all [things].

Hebrews 5:14

But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, [even] those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

1 John 4:1

¶ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

1 Corinthians 14:37

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.

Galatians 6:1

¶ Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Ephesians 4:13

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: