1 Corinthians 2:14 - Spiritual Wisdom

1 Cor 2:14 (KJV)  But [the natural man receiveth not the things of the
Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them,
because they are spiritually discerned.]

The natural man, a man who is not spiritual-minded; one unregenerate, whose
interests are confined to the things of this life. Such a man depends on
human wisdom for the solution of all his problems. He lives to please
himself and to gratify the desires of the unconverted heart, hence is
incapable of understanding and appreciating the things of God. To him the
plan of salvation, the wonderful revelation of God's love, is folly. He
cannot distinguish between worldly philosophy and spiritual truth because
the wisdom of God is understood only by those who permit themselves to be
taught by the Holy Spirit. [SDA Commentary]

The natural man, the man governed by his rational mind and intellect. The
non-Christian has at best only the aid of his human intellect and emotions,
and at worst is actively beset by the evil spirit, which runs counter to the
Spirit of God. they are foolishness unto him-The words of the Spirit are as
incomprehensible to the natural man as a foreign language without an
interpreter. He simply lacks the necessary equipment for receiving the
message. [Jamieson, Fausset, And Brown Commentary mod]

Because the Spirit's words have been "enscripturated"-written down-anyone
can read them. But reading, or even hearing this secret wisdom expounded,
does not mean that the natural man will understand or accept the divine
wisdom! It is only those who possess the Spirit who will understand, for the
Spirit who inspired the words must reside within to interpret them
appropriately if God's wisdom is to profit us. [Victor Bible Background
Commentary]

"Expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words" 1 Cor. 2:13-14. Translators
have struggled with the meaning of the Greek word synkrinontes, translated
"expressing" in the NIV. It's better to take it as "bringing together." The
Holy Spirit, who inspired the words of Scripture, lives in us, and enables
us to accept and apply spiritual truth. He "brings together" the words and
their meaning in ways that those without the Spirit simply cannot grasp. For
they do not "accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they
are foolishness to him" (v. 14).
I remember going once to a general assembly meeting of the United Nations in
New York. Each seat had its earphones, with several channels. A speaker
could use his own language, and if I turned to the English language channel,
I could hear a running translation. This is what Paul was saying here.
Scripture speaks a language that is foreign to humankind. Only a person with
the Spirit, God's translator, can understand what is really being said.
When you read Scripture, be sure to ask God's Spirit to "bring together" its
meaning for your life. [The 365-Day Devotional Commentary]

A man who thinks that nothing is more important than the satisfaction of the
sex urge cannot understand the meaning of chastity; a man who ranks the
amassing of material things as the supreme end of life cannot understand
generosity; and a man who has never a thought beyond this world cannot
understand the things of God. To him they look mere foolishness.  No man
need be like this; but if he stifles "the immortal longings" that are in his
soul he may make himself like this so that the Spirit of God will speak and
he will not hear. [Barclay Commentary]

The greatest foolishness is to reject Jesus Christ. The "deep things of God"
refers to God's unfathomable nature and his wonderful plan-Jesus'
resurrection-and to the promise of salvation, revealed only to those who
believe that what God says is true. Those who believe in the resurrection
and put their faith in Christ will know all they need to know to be saved.
This knowledge, however, can't be grasped by even the wisest people unless
they accept God's message. All who reject God's message are foolish, no
matter how wise the world thinks they are. [Life Application SB]

God cannot give until a man asks. It is not that He withholds, but that that
is the way He has constituted things on the basis of Redemption. By means of
our asking, God gets processes into work whereby He creates the thing that
is not in existence until we do ask. The inner reality of Redemption is that
it creates all the time. As the Redemption creates the life of God in us, so
it creates the things belonging to that life. Nothing can satisfy the need
but that which created the need. This is the meaning of Redemption - it
creates and it satisfies. [My Utmost for His Highest by Chambers, Oswald]

The preaching of the word will be of no avail without the continual presence
and aid of the Holy Spirit. This is the only effectual teacher of divine
truth. Only when the truth is accompanied to the heart by the Spirit will it
quicken the conscience or transform the life. One might be able to present
the letter of the word of God, he might be familiar with all its commands
and promises; but unless the Holy Spirit sets home the truth, no souls will
fall on the Rock and be broken. No amount of education, no advantages,
however great, can make one a channel of light without the co-operation of
the Spirit of God. The sowing of the gospel seed will not be a success
unless the seed is quickened into life by the dew of heaven. DA671,2

Those who do not learn every day in the school of Christ, who do not spend
much time in earnest prayer, are not fit to handle the work of God in any of
its branches; for if they do, human depravity will surely overcome them and
they will lift up their souls unto vanity. Those who become co-workers with
Jesus Christ, and who have spirituality to discern spiritual things, will
feel their need of virtue and of wisdom from Heaven in handling His work.
There are some who neither burn nor shine, yet are contented. They are in a
wretchedly cold and indifferent condition, TM169

The people of the world have a great deal of knowledge, but they lack
spiritual wisdom. [Wiersbe Expository Outlines]

Things long hidden are now revealed by the illuminating work of the Holy
Spirit, not by human wisdom. [New Bible Companion]

The Holy spirit does not work with men who love to be sharp and critical.
TM248

Those who believe the truth are to be newly converted every day. Then they
will be vessels unto honor.  TM248