1 Corinthians Chapter 2 · Verse 11

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

τίς what G5101
τίς what
Strong's: G5101
Word #: 1 of 29
an interrogative pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions)
γὰρ For G1063
γὰρ For
Strong's: G1063
Word #: 2 of 29
properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles)
οἶδεν knoweth G1492
οἶδεν knoweth
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 3 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
ἀνθρώπου man G444
ἀνθρώπου man
Strong's: G444
Word #: 4 of 29
man-faced, i.e., a human being
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 5 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 6 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνθρώπου man G444
ἀνθρώπου man
Strong's: G444
Word #: 7 of 29
man-faced, i.e., a human being
εἰ G1487
εἰ
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 8 of 29
if, whether, that, etc
μὴ G3361
μὴ
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 9 of 29
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 10 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα the Spirit G4151
πνεῦμα the Spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 11 of 29
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 12 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἀνθρώπου man G444
ἀνθρώπου man
Strong's: G444
Word #: 13 of 29
man-faced, i.e., a human being
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 14 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐν is in G1722
ἐν is in
Strong's: G1722
Word #: 15 of 29
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc
αὐτῷ him G846
αὐτῷ him
Strong's: G846
Word #: 16 of 29
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
οὕτως so G3779
οὕτως so
Strong's: G3779
Word #: 17 of 29
in this way (referring to what precedes or follows)
καὶ even G2532
καὶ even
Strong's: G2532
Word #: 18 of 29
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 19 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 20 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 21 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)
οὐδεὶς no man G3762
οὐδεὶς no man
Strong's: G3762
Word #: 22 of 29
not even one (man, woman or thing), i.e., none, nobody, nothing
οἶδεν knoweth G1492
οἶδεν knoweth
Strong's: G1492
Word #: 23 of 29
used only in certain past tenses, the others being borrowed from the equivalent g3700 and g3708; properly, to see (literally or figuratively); by impl
εἰ G1487
εἰ
Strong's: G1487
Word #: 24 of 29
if, whether, that, etc
μὴ G3361
μὴ
Strong's: G3361
Word #: 25 of 29
(adverb) not, (conjunction) lest; also (as an interrogative implying a negative answer (whereas g3756 expects an affirmative one)) whether
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 26 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
πνεῦμα the Spirit G4151
πνεῦμα the Spirit
Strong's: G4151
Word #: 27 of 29
a current of air, i.e., breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e., (human) the rational soul, (by implication) vital prin
τοῦ the things G3588
τοῦ the things
Strong's: G3588
Word #: 28 of 29
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
θεοῦ of God G2316
θεοῦ of God
Strong's: G2316
Word #: 29 of 29
a deity, especially (with g3588) the supreme divinity; figuratively, a magistrate; exceedingly (by hebraism)

Analysis & Commentary

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. Paul employs an argument from analogy: human self-knowledge parallels divine self-knowledge. Tis oiden (τίς οἶδεν, "who knows") emphasizes exclusive knowledge. To pneuma tou anthrōpou to en autō (τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ ἀνθρώπου τὸ ἐν αὐτῷ, "the spirit of man within him") refers to human consciousness—inner thoughts, motives, memories inaccessible to others.

The comparison—even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God (houtōs kai ta tou theou oudeis egnōken ei mē to pneuma tou theou, οὕτως καὶ τὰ τοῦ θεοῦ οὐδεὶς ἔγνωκεν εἰ μὴ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ θεοῦ)—establishes Spirit's unique epistemological position. Only divine self-disclosure makes God knowable. This undergirds Trinitarian theology: Spirit's comprehensive knowledge of God indicates full deity (contra Arian or subordinationist views). If Spirit were creature, He couldn't exhaustively know Creator. The argument also refutes mystical claims to direct divine knowledge apart from Spirit-given revelation.

Historical Context

Ancient philosophy debated knowledge's possibility. Skeptics doubted certain knowledge; rationalists trusted reason; Gnostics claimed secret illumination. Paul's analogy drew on common human experience: you can't read minds. Jewish thought emphasized God's transcendence (Isaiah 55:8-9); Greek thought often made divine knowable through philosophical inquiry. Paul steers between extremes: God is knowable because He reveals Himself through Spirit; yet unknowable apart from that gracious revelation. The Spirit's deity becomes implicit apologetic.

Questions for Reflection