Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 2:15
The spiritual man judges all things, but he himself is not subject to anyone’s judgment.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian church while contrasting the natural man’s inability to receive spiritual truths with the believer’s capacity to discern them. He addresses this during a broader discussion on the nature of apostolic wisdom and the Spirit’s revelation.
The words — The Greek term ἀνακρίνει (anakrinei) literally means to examine closely or judge after inquiry. Coupled with πνευματικός (pneumatikos), it identifies the believer as one who evaluates reality through the Spirit’s framework rather than human standards.
The thread — This discerning function echoes the call to test all things in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 and the mature capacity to distinguish good from evil in Hebrews 5:14. It also aligns with Proverbs 28:5, which notes that those who seek the LORD comprehend what the wicked overlook.
Why it lands — It requires the reader to submit personal evaluations to spiritual reality rather than human consensus. The verse demands that believers actively examine their surroundings through revealed truth while remaining unshaken by external condemnation.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 5:21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
- Proverbs 28:5 Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the LORD comprehend fully.
- Hebrews 5:14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.
- 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
- 1 Corinthians 14:37 If anyone considers himself a prophet or spiritual person, let him acknowledge that what I am writing you is the Lord’s command.
- Galatians 6:1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.
- Ephesians 4:13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
- Philippians 1:10 so that you may be able to test and prove what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ,
- 1 Corinthians 3:1 Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
- Colossians 1:9 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,