But the natural man, &c.— The natural man and the spiritual man are opposed by St. Paul in these verses; the one signifying a man who has no higher principles to build on, than those of natural reason; the other, a man who founds his faith and religion on divine revelation, and, experiences the power thereof in his heart. This is what appears to be meant by natural, or rather animal man,— ψυχικος,— and spiritual, as they stand opposed in these two verses. There are some who suppose that ψυχικος implies something further; namely, the sensual man, who continues under the influences of his appetites and passions, and is a stranger to the noble exercises and principles of the divine life. See James 3:15.Jude 1:19. Locke, Owen, and the 2nd volume of The Phoenix, p. 544. Instead of judgeth all things, Bos reads judgeth of every man.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising