1 Corinthians 2:15

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Can someone help me refute a “Sola-Scriptura” Christian who says this verse supports his judgemental nature toward Catholics and people who believe differently than him. He often refers to coworkers as “heathens” and cites this verse in defense.
 
***15 But the spiritual man judgeth all things; and he himself is judged of no man. ***

To use this verse as “evidence” of solo-scriptura would be to apply a subjective interpretation on it from the get-go. We as Catholics should look at this verse and ask “what is the correct interpretation of this verse?” We all can sit here and take a crack at it and 10 of us on this forum could come up with 10 different opinions if we apply the principles of solo-scriptura, and what would give any of us more authority than the other? Thank God we have a Church that traces back to the Apostles that has the authority to interpret this correctly!

The CCC says 2038 In the work of teaching and applying Christian morality, the Church needs the dedication of pastors, the knowledge of theologians, and the contribution of all Christians and men of good will. Faith and the practice of the Gospel provide each person with an experience of life “in Christ,” who enlightens him and makes him able to evaluate the divine and human realities according to the Spirit of God. Thus the Holy Spirit can use the humblest to enlighten the learned and those in the highest positions.

St. Thomas says
**Reply to Objection 1.**I] Judgment belongs to truth as its standard, while it belongs to the man imbued with truth, according as he is as it were one with truth, as a kind of law and “living justice” [Aristotle, Ethic. v]. Hence Augustine quotes (De Verb. Dom., Serm. cxxvii) the saying of 1 Corinthians 2:15: “The spiritual man judgeth all things.” But beyond all creatures Christ’s soul was more closely united with truth, and more full of truth; according to John 1:14: “We saw Him . . . full of grace and truth.” And according to this it belongs principally to the soul of Christ to judge all things.
 
COPLAND_3 said:
***15 But the spiritual man judgeth all things; and he himself is judged of no man. ***

To use this verse as “evidence” of solo-scriptura would be to apply a subjective interpretation on it from the get-go. We as Catholics should look at this verse and ask “what is the correct interpretation of this verse?” We all can sit here and take a crack at it and 10 of us on this forum could come up with 10 different opinions if we apply the principles of solo-scriptura, and what would give any of us more authority than the other? Thank God we have a Church that traces back to the Apostles that has the authority to interpret this correctly!

The CCC says 2038 In the work of teaching and applying Christian morality, the Church needs the dedication of pastors, the knowledge of theologians, and the contribution of all Christians and men of good will. Faith and the practice of the Gospel provide each person with an experience of life “in Christ,” who enlightens him and makes him able to evaluate the divine and human realities according to the Spirit of God. Thus the Holy Spirit can use the humblest to enlighten the learned and those in the highest positions.

St. Thomas says
**Reply to Objection 1.**I] Judgment belongs to truth as its standard, while it belongs to the man imbued with truth, according as he is as it were one with truth, as a kind of law and “living justice” [Aristotle, Ethic. v]. Hence Augustine quotes (De Verb. Dom., Serm. cxxvii) the saying of 1 Corinthians 2:15: “The spiritual man judgeth all things.” But beyond all creatures Christ’s soul was more closely united with truth, and more full of truth; according to John 1:14: “We saw Him . . . full of grace and truth.” And according to this it belongs principally to the soul of Christ to judge all things.
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Great cites and authority. See also Romans 2:1-12 which tells us that only God is in a position to judge others and warns us of the dangers of trying to do so.

Also Matt 7:1 Judge not, that you be not judged.

Luke 6:37: Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

James 4:12 There is one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you that you judge your neighbor?

Blessings,

Brian
 
Excellent references but what I would like to find out is in what context St. Paul was writing here as I am sure he in no way intended to contradict Christ’s own words in the Gospel. Thank you for your wonderful feedback so far.
 
jeff417 said:
Excellent references but what I would like to find out is in what context St. Paul was writing here as I am sure he in no way intended to contradict Christ’s own words in the Gospel. Thank you for your wonderful feedback so far.
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I think your friend has taken a verse out of context - we need to read the verse with its preceding verse to get a full understanding of Paul’s intent: 1 cor 2:14-16:

***The unspiritual man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned.

The spiritual man judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one.

“For who has known the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ. ***

Paul is contrasting here (i) unbelievers - who, without faith and the Holy Spirit are spiritually blind. (Compare Jesus many statements about the Pharasees being spiritually blind - and the Hebrew scriptures speaking of rebellious Israel as having eyes but not being able to see) with (ii) believers, who, blessed with faith and the Holy Spirit are capable of discerning spiritual things. They can’t be judged by unbelievers (this isn’t putting believers against believers) and we know that believers remain infected by sin (the remnant of original sin). Even Paul confesses to remaining sinful and scripture tells us that anyone who says he is without sin is a lier.

The only ones who were/are so infused by the Holy Spirit as to infallible in issues of morals and spirituality were (i) the apostles and other authors of the scriptures, who in writing the scriptures, were protected from error by God and (ii) the Pope (successor to Peter) who was promised the keys to the kingdom (authority over the Church) was was promised by Christ to stand until the end of time.

No Christian could otherwise ever assert perfection in spirit and freedom from error, and thus this verse can’t mean that any particular Christian is free from “judgement” or error.

Blessings,

Brian
 
Thanks again, Brian, this is the line of thought I was contemplating myself. I am still looking for a thorough and approved Catholic study Bible to help me in my amateur apologetics lessons at work. Protestant arguments are one thing to deal with, but somewhat radical arguments are more difficult. I appreciate your (name removed by moderator)ut.

Sincerely in Christ,

Jeff
 
Here are some bookmarked commentaries from the Navarre and Ignatius Study Bible, you can’t go wrong with these, click on the links and it will take you right to the verse that you are asking about.

Navarre Bible
books.google.com/books?id=OCkA8TbY-bsC&pg=PA214&dq=navarre+bible+commentary+luke&lr=&as_brr=3&sig=ACfU3U1DMeS7fjF6llyHMPoLtq6l6-Is4g#PPA42,M1

Ignatius Study Bible
books.google.com/books?id=31axTXx6NAIC&pg=PA17&dq=ignatius+study+bible+acts&sig=ACfU3U07hf2gZb9PC0IYsmhvnIpXIoQ7Hg#PPA19,M1
 
Here are notes from the Haydock Bible Commentary
Ver. 14-15. But the sensual man, &c. They who are led away by sensual pleasures, do not even perceive or understand spiritual things; they seem foolish to them, and a folly to seek after them; because such things must be spiritually examined, that is, examined by the Spirit of God, which they have not. — But the spiritual man judgeth all things, passeth a right judgment, not only of the things of this life, as carnal men can do, but even of spiritual things, which concern his eternal salvation. — And he himself is judged by no one, that is, by no one, who is not spiritual, or who is not taught by the Spirit of God, to pass a right judgment: the sense also may be, that he cannot be justly blamed or condemned by any worldly man, who knows not how to judge of such spiritual things. (Witham) — The sensual man is either he who is taken up with sensual pleasures, with carnal and worldly affections: or he who measureth divine mysteries by natural reason, sense, and human wisdom only. Now such a man has little or no notion of the things of God. Whereas the spiritual man, in the mysteries of religion, takes not human sense for his guide; but submits his judgment to the decisions of the Church, which he is commanded to hear and obey. For Christ hath promised to remain to the end of the world with his Church, and to direct her in all things by the Spirit of truth. (Challoner)

These statements reflect on spiritual teaching and spiritual judgement. I have highlighted a few words that might help refute sola scriptura
 
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