1 Corinthians 2:14 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021

¹⁴ Those who are unspiritual do not receive the gifts of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to them, and they are unable to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

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.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁴ But the natural, nonspiritual man does not accept or welcome or admit into his heart the gifts and teachings and revelations of the Spirit of God, for they are folly (meaningless nonsense) to him; and he is incapable of knowing them [of progressively recognizing, understanding, and becoming better acquainted with them] because they are spiritually discerned and estimated and appreciated.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁴ 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.

Common English Bible

¹⁴ But people who are unspiritual don’t accept the things from God’s Spirit. They are foolishness to them and can’t be understood, because they can only be comprehended in a spiritual way.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁴ But the animal nature of man does not perceive these things that are of the Spirit of God. For it is foolishness to him, and he is not able to understand it, because it must be examined spiritually.

Douay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version

¹⁴ But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.

1 Corinthians 2:14 Cross References

Proverbs 14:6

A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain, but knowledge is easy for one who understands.

Matthew 16:23

But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”

John 10:20

Many of them were saying, “He has a demon and is out of his mind. Why listen to him?”

John 12:37

Although he had performed so many signs in their presence, they did not believe in him.

John 14:17

This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him because he abides with you, and he will be in you.

John 14:26

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you.

John 15:26

“When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.

John 5:44

How can you believe when you accept glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the one who alone is God?

John 8:43

Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot accept my word.

Acts 16:14

A certain woman named Lydia, a worshiper of God, was listening to us; she was from the city of Thyatira and a dealer in purple cloth. The Lord opened her heart to listen eagerly to what was said by Paul.

Acts 17:18

Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, “What does this pretentious babbler want to say?” Others said, “He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities.” (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.)

Acts 17:32

When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed, but others said, “We will hear you again about this.”

Acts 18:15

but since it is a matter of questions about words and names and your own law, see to it yourselves; I do not wish to be a judge of these matters.”

Acts 25:19

Instead, they had certain points of disagreement with him about their own religion and about a certain Jesus, who had died but whom Paul asserted to be alive.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:21

For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of the proclamation, to save those who believe.

1 Corinthians 1:23

but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to gentiles,

1 Corinthians 1:25

For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.

1 Corinthians 15:44

It is sown a physical body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a physical body, there is also a spiritual body.

1 Corinthians 15:46

But it is not the spiritual that is first but the physical and then the spiritual.

1 Corinthians 2:12

Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the Spirit that is from God, so that we may understand the gifts bestowed on us by God.

1 Corinthians 3:1

And so, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people but rather as fleshly, as infants in Christ.

James 3:15

This is not wisdom that comes down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish.

1 John 2:20

But you have been anointed by the Holy One, and all of you have knowledge.

1 John 2:27

As for you, the anointing that you received from him abides in you, so you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and is true and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, abide in him.

1 John 5:20

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

Jude 1:19

It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions.