1 Corinthians 2:13

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 2:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Which things also we speak, not in words which man`s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words].” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Which things also we speak, not in words which man`s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words].
1 Corinthians 2:13 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 2

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
13Which things also we speak, not in words which man`s wisdom teacheth, but which the Spirit teacheth; combining spiritual things with spiritual [words].

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which things also we speak, etc.] Namely, the things which have not been seen by the eye, heard by the ear, or understood by the heart of man; the things God has prepared for his people; the deep things of God; the things of God which are only known to the Spirit; the things that are freely given to them of God, and made known to them by the Spirit of God: these things are spoken out, preached, and declared to the sons of men, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth; which are learned in the schools of the philosophers, put together by human art, and “in the taught words of human wisdom”, as the clause may be rendered; such as are taught and acquired by human learning, so artificially…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“also--We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (Co1 2:12). which the Holy Ghost teacheth--The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy." comparing spiritual things with spiritual--expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [GROTIUS]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [CHRYSOSTOM]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (Co2 10:12). WAHL (Key of the New Testament) translates, "explaining (as the Greek is translated, Gen 40:8, the Septuagint) to spiritual (that is, Spirit-taught)…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Which things we speak - Which great, and glorious, and certain truths, we, the apostles, preach and explain. Not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth - Not such as human philosophy or eloquence would dictate. They do not have their origin in the devices of human wisdom, and they are not expressed in such words of dazzling and attractive rhetoric as would be employed by those who pride themselves on the wisdom of this world. But which the Holy Ghost teacheth - That is, in the words which the Holy Spirit imparts to us. Locke understands this as referring to the fact that the apostles used “the language and expressions” which the Holy Spirit had taught in the revelations of the Scriptures.…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Which also we speak - As well as know. In words taught by the Holy Spirit - Such are all the words of scripture. How high a regard ought we, then, to retain for them! Explaining spiritual things by spiritual words; or, adapting spiritual words to spiritual things - Being taught of the Spirit to express the things of the Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“2:13 using the Spirit’s words to explain spiritual truths: Just as spiritual wisdom is different from human wisdom, so the way spiritual wisdom is taught must be different from the way human wisdom is taught. The communicating and learning of spiritual truth must be done in the dimension and power of the Spirit; it is not simply a rational, human exercise.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“not: Co1 2:4, Co1 1:17; Pe2 1:16 but: Co1 12:1-3, Co1 14:2; Luk 12:12; Act 2:4; Pe1 1:12 comparing: Or, as Bishop Pearce renders, "explaining συγκρινοντες \[Strong's G4793\] spiritual things to spiritual men," πνευματικοις \[Strong's G4152\]. spiritual things: Co1 2:14, Co1 9:11, Co1 10:3-5; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16 1 Corinthians 2:14”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification