October 29, 2019
READING TIME: 1-2 MINUTES
David, does 1 Cor 2:14 teach that an unbeliever is spiritually unable to believe?
What is happening in 1 Corinthians 2? Chapter 2:14 mentions “the natural man.” Who is he? The verse identifies him as (a) one to whom divine revelation is “foolishness,” and (b) as one without the ability to receive or know spiritual things. A “natural man” includes any person who is perishing—who has not believed in Jesus Christ for eternal salvation and is without the indwelling Spirit.
Those who have the Spirit can receive the things freely given by God, whereas a natural man is not able to receive or know the things of God’s Spirit. “Receive” denotes personal approval or persuasion shown by actually accepting as true what is revealed. Though a natural man may get an understanding of the ideas a text presents, yet he walks away convinced it is not for him or not true. He is unable, on his own, to welcome divine revelation.
The main point of 1 Cor 2:10-13 is that apart from the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit in one’s life, one learns nothing—whether believer or unbeliever.
In chapter 3:1-4, the apostle states that some believers are not able to receive the truth because of carnality. The point is that though the Holy Spirit indwells them, their carnality quenches the Spirit so that He does not teach them.
Paul’s point is that because of a natural man’s disconnect from the Spirit, he is unable to know the things of God. This is not an ontological or inherent issue, but a matter of not yet being rightly related to the Holy Spirit whether by the new birth or, in the case of Christians, by having all sin confessed.
Source Used
Meisinger, George E. “The Issue of One’s Ability to Believe: Total Depravity/ Inability.” Chafer Theological Seminary Journal Volume 11.1 (2005): 65-96.