Discussion Comparing Spiritual with Spritual?

[Firstfruits]

With regards to what Paul states in the following scriptures, what does it mean to compare spiritual with spiritual?

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Firstfruits

[Sold Out]

Compare scripture with scripture. Always let scripture shed light on other scripture. The more you read your bible, the more the Holy Spirit will compare what you've read with other scripture. It's really neat!

[Teke]

1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Revelation or enlightenment from God is beyond words and beyond the evaluation of man. God speaks through spiritual people things that reflect unspeakable knowledge of faith, and the spiritually minded understand, but the natural man doesn't. (1 Cor. v 12-15)

An example of comparing a spiritual thing with spiritual would be the Incarnation. God who is Spirit (a spiritual thing) did something spiritual by the Incarnation.

[BroRog]

With regards to what Paul states in the following scriptures, what does it mean to compare spiritual with spiritual?

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Firstfruits

The term "comparing" in Greek usage refers to our ability to teach and learn abstract concepts. To "compare" something is to judge whether one thing is like another thing.

For instance, I might say, "the sidewalk is as hot as the stove." If you know how hot the stove can get, then I have given you a good idea of how hot the sidewalk is.

But I just compared two physical things. To understand abstract concepts we compare the abstract concept with a physical thing to aid our understanding. For instance, I heard this on Star Trek the other day. "Loneliness is a flower dieing in the desert." Loneliness is an abstract concept and it feels like just like a flower in the desert. If you can imagine what a flower might feel like as it sits in the waterless desert, you can get an idea of what loneliness might be like.

Now, in the context of 1Cor. 2, Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that his message was not the result of speculation, which is man's wisdom. And he didn't present his message in terms of axioms based in speculative philosophy, as if he was taking his best guess as to what God thinks. Instead, Paul's message comes from the Holy Spirit, who knows exactly what God is thinking and his will for mankind.

The "spiritual things" are the hidden things of God that reason alone can not figure out. These are things that only God can know and he must reveal them to us. Paul asserts that he taught the Corinthians what the Holy Spirit taught him, who "compared", i.e. explained these spiritual things with spiritual words. That is, the Holy Spirit explained spiritual things with words that came from the Spirit himself.

This was God explaining things to Paul, rather than Paul speculating about what God might be like.

[Firstfruits]

Compare scripture with scripture. Always let scripture shed light on other scripture. The more you read your bible, the more the Holy Spirit will compare what you've read with other scripture. It's really neat!

Thank you Sold Out,

I agree.

[Firstfruits]

1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

Revelation or enlightenment from God is beyond words and beyond the evaluation of man. God speaks through spiritual people things that reflect unspeakable knowledge of faith, and the spiritually minded understand, but the natural man doesn't. (1 Cor. v 12-15)

An example of comparing a spiritual thing with spiritual would be the Incarnation. God who is Spirit (a spiritual thing) did something spiritual by the Incarnation.

Is this not also according to that which is written?

[Firstfruits]

The term "comparing" in Greek usage refers to our ability to teach and learn abstract concepts. To "compare" something is to judge whether one thing is like another thing.

For instance, I might say, "the sidewalk is as hot as the stove." If you know how hot the stove can get, then I have given you a good idea of how hot the sidewalk is.

But I just compared two physical things. To understand abstract concepts we compare the abstract concept with a physical thing to aid our understanding. For instance, I heard this on Star Trek the other day. "Loneliness is a flower dieing in the desert." Loneliness is an abstract concept and it feels like just like a flower in the desert. If you can imagine what a flower might feel like as it sits in the waterless desert, you can get an idea of what loneliness might be like.

Now, in the context of 1Cor. 2, Paul wants the Corinthians to understand that his message was not the result of speculation, which is man's wisdom. And he didn't present his message in terms of axioms based in speculative philosophy, as if he was taking his best guess as to what God thinks. Instead, Paul's message comes from the Holy Spirit, who knows exactly what God is thinking and his will for mankind.

The "spiritual things" are the hidden things of God that reason alone can not figure out. These are things that only God can know and he must reveal them to us. Paul asserts that he taught the Corinthians what the Holy Spirit taught him, who "compared", i.e. explained these spiritual things with spiritual words. That is, the Holy Spirit explained spiritual things with words that came from the Spirit himself.

This was God explaining things to Paul, rather than Paul speculating about what God might be like.

Would you agree that as Paul has said the Gospel is no longer hidden?

[Teke]

Is this not also according to that which is written?

Sure. What I tried to relate in short form, is that explanation of what is written is also a spiritual aspect. As without explanation that which is written is just that.

[Firstfruits]

Sure. What I tried to relate in short form, is that explanation of what is written is also a spiritual aspect. As without explanation that which is written is just that.

Thank you Teke,

I agree.

[crawfish]

1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Firstfruits

It's a big help in understanding 1 and 2 Corinthians to know that the early Gnostics were growing in influence there. They were a significant problem in 1 Cor, and a major one by 2 Cor. Essentially, the gnostics believed that salvation could be achieved by discovering the "hidden" secrets in scripture. Thus, they came up with some pretty crazy theologies.

The scriptures in 2 Cor are directly addressing this issue.

[Firstfruits]

It's a big help in understanding 1 and 2 Corinthians to know that the early Gnostics were growing in influence there. They were a significant problem in 1 Cor, and a major one by 2 Cor. Essentially, the gnostics believed that salvation could be achieved by discovering the "hidden" secrets in scripture. Thus, they came up with some pretty crazy theologies.

The scriptures in 2 Cor are directly addressing this issue.

Thank you for the information Crawfish,

God bless!!

[Mograce2U]

With regards to what Paul states in the following scriptures, what does it mean to compare spiritual with spiritual?

Gal 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.

Gal 1:11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
Gal 1:12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.

1 Cor 2:12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
1 Cor 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

2 Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. 2 Cor 4:3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:

Firstfruits

Paul both in Galatians and Corinthians seems to be laying out 2 spiritual sources that we can "hear" from. The worldly devilish spirit is the one concerned with the things that be of men:

(Mark 8:33 KJV) But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Here Peter had denied the need for Jesus to go to the cross. This is the spirit that would pervert the gospel which Jesus rebuked. So Paul also seems to be saying that we must be able to discern which spirit is speaking if we are to hold fast to a good conscience and faith.

[Firstfruits]

Paul both in Galatians and Corinthians seems to be laying out 2 spiritual sources that we can "hear" from. The worldly devilish spirit is the one concerned with the things that be of men:

(Mark 8:33 KJV) But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men.

Here Peter had denied the need for Jesus to go to the cross. This is the spirit that would pervert the gospel which Jesus rebuked. So Paul also seems to be saying that we must be able to discern which spirit is speaking if we are to hold fast to a good conscience and faith.

Thanks Mograce2U

I think you will agree that this scripture applies well with what you have said.

1 Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.