Why doesn't the natural man comprehend the things of the Spirit?
Paul calls the unsaved person the natural man, who does not receive the things of the Spirit. He fails to comprehend because he does not want to; these things are foolishness to him. Since they are spiritually discerned, he cannot know them.
Les explains that the natural man is Paul's term for the unsaved person, who receives not the things of the Spirit of God. Unlike believers, who can compare Scripture with Scripture, the unsaved cannot see how these things connect. They may understand a few surface things, such as the story of Bethlehem, but the deep doctrinal aspects of the Word and end-time prophecies remain a closed book to them. Les says the basic reason is that the natural man does not want to comprehend; it is all foolishness to him. Unsaved neighbors may even think something is wrong with someone who attends a weeknight Bible study. Because these things are foolishness to the unbeliever, he cannot know them, since they are spiritually discerned or understood.
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.
More Questions
What does Paul mean by "the natural man"?
The term Paul uses for the unsaved person is "the natural man."