1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (King James Version)
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 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. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 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. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
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1 Corinthians 2:9-16 (King James Version)
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
Religion and denominationalism quote this verse a lot…and then proceed to say “See it’s impossible for us to understand the Bible." But when we study the bible, we are to study the verses in light of other verses. That is what comparing spiritual things with spiritual means in v13. This is what Peter means when he writes that scripture is not open (or up for debate/discussion) to any private interpretation. “Private interpretation” doesn’t mean an individual’s interpretation, but rather no verse stands alone—it is compared with other verses, aka spiritual with spiritual.
2 Peter 1:19-21 (King James Version)
We have also a more sure word of prophecy [that is, the scriptures—that which is written down]; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:
Knowing this first, that no prophecy [that is, God’s word that was ‘told forth’] of the scripture [scripture refers to the words that are written down on the page] is of any private interpretation.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man [that is, God’s word did not come from man’s knowledge—man’s ‘wisdom’]: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. [The holy men were given that wisdom from God.]
10But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
“BUT”—that is a very important word in scripture—it shows contrast! We can’t stop at the single (private, standalone) verse 9. We must compare spiritual with spiritual—that is, compare verse 9 with verse 10 and others. When we do we then understand that those things which God hath prepared weren’t from any knowledge/information that we obtained from what we saw (the eye), what we heard (the ear) or from what we ‘dreamed up’ on our own, BUT that it was GOD that revealed them to us by His Holy Spirit.
11For 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.
Things of a man refers to that which pertains to mankind, contained in man’s ‘spirit.’
The ‘spirit’ is that aspect that contains the knowledge, the information, the ‘wisdom’—in essence, it is the part of our makeup as human beings that takes that knowledge/information/wisdom and ‘thinks/reasons/considers.’ One could say our ‘conscience’ is housed in our spirit.
12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Because of what this verse says, and because we can believe God’s Word, we ‘know’ these things because it is knowledge that we got from the Holy Spirit teaching our spirit—again, NOT from anything that came from outside our body or from within us.
13Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
That is what comparing spiritual things with spiritual means in v13. This is what Peter means when he writes, that scripture is not open (or up for debate/discussion) to any private interpretation. “Private interpretation” doesn’t mean an individual’s interpretation, but rather that no verse stands alone—it is compared with other verses, aka spiritual with spiritual.
14But 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.
The natural man is the unsaved man. His spirit is ‘dead’ and cannot receive (that is, it cannot communicate with God’s Spirit) that which God by His Holy Spirit is telling him in the verses. It is much like a human being trying to communicate to an animal. (Ever try to catch a squirrel by reasoning with him?)
15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
The spiritual man is the person whose spirit hath been quickened by the Holy Spirit and is now able to receive those things that the Holy Spirit teaches. (It is important to know and remember that the Holy Spirit teaches ONLY from the Word of God. He DOES NOT reveal anything to anybody apart from the words on the page of the Word of God!)
16For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
Words! Can anyone ‘see’ words? Well, yes, if they are written down. BUT, words exist someplace BEFORE they are written down. And, where are those words? They are in the mind, whether they are in our mind or in God’s mind. We can therefore understand from these verses that the words that are written down on the pages of God’s Word to us first existed in--and came from--the mind of God. And (the best part of all!), in His great love for us, He preserved Them for us in the Authorized Version, the KJV.
Therefore….
Philippians 4:8 (King James Version)
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
God’s Word is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, or good report, virtuous and worthy of praise! He would have us think on His Word!
God is so good! To Him be all the glory.
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