But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. The pneumatikos (πνευματικός, "spiritual person")—Spirit-indwelt believer—anakrinei panta (ἀνακρίνει πάντα, "examines/judges all things"). Anakrinō (ἀνακρίνω) means "investigate, discern, assess"—the same term used of legal examination (Acts 4:9, 12:19). Spirit-illumination enables believers to evaluate truth-claims by biblical standards (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1), including assessing teachers, doctrines, and ethical dilemmas.
Yet he himself is judged of no man (autos de hyp' oudenos anakrinetai, αὐτὸς δὲ ὑπ' οὐδενὸς ἀνακρίνεται)—unregenerate people lack capacity to properly assess Spirit-taught wisdom. This isn't claiming believers are above accountability (Galatians 6:1) but that natural reason cannot adjudicate spiritual truth. The spiritual believer operates with different epistemology; the natural person's critique reflects their unregenerate state. Paul isn't promoting subjectivism but highlighting the noetic effects of sin and grace.
Historical Context
In Corinth's fractured church, factions judged Paul's apostleship by worldly standards—eloquence, credentials, power (1:12, 4:3-4). Paul insists such assessment is incompetent: only fellow Spirit-indwelt believers can properly evaluate apostolic ministry. This principle guards against tyranny of secular intellectual fashions. When modern critics dismiss biblical doctrines as "outdated" or "unscientific," Paul's response applies: unregenerate assessment of revelation is categorically flawed. Conversely, this isn't license for believers to reject all outside critique—only recognition that spiritual matters require spiritual discernment.
Questions for Reflection
How does this verse guard against letting secular academic consensus determine what you believe Scripture teaches?
What prevents spiritual discernment from becoming self-righteous dismissal of legitimate questions or criticisms?
How can you grow in exercising spiritual judgment to test teaching and practice in your church community?
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Analysis & Commentary
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. The pneumatikos (πνευματικός, "spiritual person")—Spirit-indwelt believer—anakrinei panta (ἀνακρίνει πάντα, "examines/judges all things"). Anakrinō (ἀνακρίνω) means "investigate, discern, assess"—the same term used of legal examination (Acts 4:9, 12:19). Spirit-illumination enables believers to evaluate truth-claims by biblical standards (1 Thessalonians 5:21; 1 John 4:1), including assessing teachers, doctrines, and ethical dilemmas.
Yet he himself is judged of no man (autos de hyp' oudenos anakrinetai, αὐτὸς δὲ ὑπ' οὐδενὸς ἀνακρίνεται)—unregenerate people lack capacity to properly assess Spirit-taught wisdom. This isn't claiming believers are above accountability (Galatians 6:1) but that natural reason cannot adjudicate spiritual truth. The spiritual believer operates with different epistemology; the natural person's critique reflects their unregenerate state. Paul isn't promoting subjectivism but highlighting the noetic effects of sin and grace.