1 Corinthians 2:12

1 Corinthians 2:12 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)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.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
• New Living Translation (NLT)And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us.

Context of 1 Corinthians 2:12

10these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 2:12 word by word

ἡμεῖς δὲ οὐ τὸ πνεῦμα τοῦ κόσμου ἐλάβομεν ἀλλὰ τὸ πνεῦμα τὸ ἐκ τοῦ θεοῦ, ἵνα εἰδῶμεν τὰ ὑπὸ τοῦ θεοῦ χαρισθέντα ἡμῖν·Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Nowδέde · thenG1161
• weἐγώegō · I/weG1473
• have receivedλαμβάνωlambanō · to takeG2983
• notοὐou · noG3756
• the spiritὁho hē to · the/this/whoG3588
• the spiritπνεῦμαpneuma · spirit/breath: spiritG4151
• of the worldκόσμοςkosmos · worldG2889
• butἀλλάalla · butG235
• ofἐκek ex · out fromG1537
• Godθεόςtheos · GodG2316
• thatἵναhina · in order that/toG2443
• we might knowεἴδωeidō · to perceive: understandG1492
• are freely givenχαρίζωcharizomai · to give graceG5483
• ofὑπόhupo · by/under: byG5259

Cross-references for 1 Corinthians 2:12

• 1 Corinthians 2:6We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
• Romans 8:1Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,
• 2 Corinthians 4:4The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
• Ephesians 2:2in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
• James 4:5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us?
• 1 John 4:4You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
• 1 John 5:19We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
• Revelation 12:9The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
• Romans 8:15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
• 1 Corinthians 3:22whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours,
• John 16:14He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.
• Romans 8:32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
• 1 John 2:20But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth.
• 1 John 5:20We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
• Revelation 22:6The angel said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. The Lord, the God who inspires the prophets, sent his angel to show his servants the things that must soon take place.”

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 2:12

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12Now we have received, not the spirit of the world - We, who are the genuine apostles of Christ, have received this Spirit of God, by which we know the deep things of God; and, through the teaching of that Spirit, we preach Christ crucified. We have not therefore received the spirit of the world - of the Jewish teachers, who are all looking for a worldly kingdom and a worldly Messiah, and interpret all the scriptures of the Old Testament which relate to…Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 12Now we have received - We who are Christians; and especially we, the apostles. The following verse shows that he had himself and the other apostles chiefly in view; though it is true of all Christians that they have received, not the spirit of this world, but the spirit which is of God. Not the spirit of this world - Not the wisdom and knowledge which this world can give - not the learning and philosophy which were so much valued in Greece. The views of…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 10-16Verses 10-16 God has revealed true wisdom to us by his Spirit. Here is a proof of the Divine authority of the Holy Scriptures, 2Pe 1:21. In proof of the Divinity of the Holy Ghost, observe, that he knows all things, and he searches all things, even the deep things of God. No one can know the things of God, but his Holy Spirit, who is one with the Father and the Son, and who makes known Divine mysteries to his church. This is most clear testimony, both to…Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 10-12God has revealed it to us: Those who believe in Christ and have received his Spirit (see 1 Corinthians 6:19; 12:13; Galatians 3:2; Ephesians 1:13; Titus 3:5) are different from the rulers of this world (1 Corinthians 2:8). We cannot understand God's deep secrets through worldly wisdom or philosophy. Only God's Spirit can reveal God's thoughts to his people (see 1 John 2:20, 27; compare Matthew 11:25–27). God has kindly given his Spirit to his people so…Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. we ... received, not ... spirit of ... world--the personal evil "spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience" (Ep 2:2). This spirit is natural in the unregenerate, and needs not to be received. Spirit which is of God--that is, which comes from God. We have received it only by the gift of God, whose Spirit it is, whereas our own spirit is the spirit that is in us men (1Co 2:11). that we might know ... things ... freely given ... of…Read the comment

Topics related to 1 Corinthians 2:12

• Holy Spirit
• Preaching
• Reasoning
• Regeneration
• Righteous
• Wisdom
• Word of God

In the dictionaries

• God
• god, false god, goddess, idol, idolater, idolatrous, idolatry
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the
• Judge
• Lord
• Mystery
• Spiritually
• Testimony
• Wisdom
• Corinthians, First Epistle to the

Commentaries on 1 Corinthians 2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Calvin’s Commentaries
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Illustrated New Testament
• Burkitt’s Expository Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Family Bible Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• The People’s New Testament
• Robertson’s Word Pictures
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings