In1 Corinthians 2:6-16, the natural man is compared to the spiritual man and the carnal man. Verse 14 says, "A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (NASB). This verse does not define the natural man, as such; rather, it uses the term to describe one who does not understand God's words and thoughts. The one who can understand God's words is a "spiritual" man (verse 15).
Dr. Henry Morris, in theNew Defender's Study Bible, gives this comment on verse 14: "The 'natural' man, still unsaved, cannot appreciate spiritual truths. He must first understand Christ's atoning sacrifice for him, but even that is 'foolishness' to him (1:18) until the Holy Spirit Himself convicts him of its reality ( John 16:7-11)." Basically, the "natural" man is one who does not have the Holy Spirit residing within him. As Jesus said, "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" ( John 3:6).
Let's look at some other uses in the Bible of the wordnatural. InRomans 11:21we read, "For if God did not spare thenaturalbranches, neither will He spare you." In1 Corinthians 15:44-46, "It is sown anaturalbody, it is raised aspiritual body. If there is anaturalbody, then there is also a spiritual body. However the spiritual is not first, but thenatural; then the spiritual." Ezekiel 44:31speaks of anaturaldeath. Daniel 10:8speaks of anaturalcolor. James 1:23speaks of anaturalface, andJames 3:15states, "This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly,natural, demonic."
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In1 Corinthians 2:6-16, the natural man is compared to the spiritual man and the carnal man. Verse 14 says, "A natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised" (NASB). This verse does not define the natural man, as such; rather, it uses the term to describe one who does not understand God's words and thoughts. The one who can understand God's words is a "spiritual" man (verse 15).
Dr. Henry Morris, in theNew Defender's Study Bible, gives this comment on verse 14: "The 'natural' man, still unsaved, cannot appreciate spiritual truths. He must first understand Christ's atoning sacrifice for him, but even that is 'foolishness' to him (1:18) until the Holy Spirit Himself convicts him of its reality ( John 16:7-11)." Basically, the "natural" man is one who does not have the Holy Spirit residing within him. As Jesus said, "Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" ( John 3:6).
Let's look at some other uses in the Bible of the wordnatural. InRomans 11:21we read, "For if God did not spare thenaturalbranches, neither will He spare you." In1 Corinthians 15:44-46, "It is sown anaturalbody, it is raised aspiritual body. If there is anaturalbody, then there is also a spiritual body. However the spiritual is not first, but thenatural; then the spiritual." Ezekiel 44:31speaks of anaturaldeath. Daniel 10:8speaks of anaturalcolor. James 1:23speaks of anaturalface, andJames 3:15states, "This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly,natural, demonic."
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