{12} Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; {o} comparing spiritual things with spiritual.

(12) Now he returns to his purpose, and concludes the argument which he began in verse six 1Co 2:6, and it is this: the words must be applied to the matter, and the matter must be set forth with words which are proper and appropriate for it: now this wisdom is spiritual and not from man, and therefore it must be delivered by a spiritual type of teaching, and not by enticing words of man's eloquence, so that the simple, and yet wonderful majesty of the Holy Spirit may appear in it.

(o) Applying the words to the matter, that is, that as we teach spiritual things, so must our type of teaching be spiritual.

People's New Testament

2:13 Which things also we speak. The grand truths, the hidden wisdom (1Co 2:7), the mystery of God (Col 2:2), revealed to them through the Spirit, they spoke to others. These things they spoke,

not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, not in the garb of philosophy,

but which the Holy Ghost teacheth. In the words given by the Holy Spirit.

Comparing spiritual things with spiritual. This difficult clause has received many explanations. Canon Cook explains it: Matching spiritual things with spiritual words. Conybeare and Howson say: Explaining spiritual things to spiritual men. This last view, which Canon Cook says does no violence to the Greek, harmonizes best with 1Co 2:6,14. I think that the next verse shows that this is the true meaning.

Wesley's Notes

2:13 Which also we speak - As well as know. In words taught by the Holy Spirit - Such are all the words of scripture. How high a regard ought we, then, to retain for them! Explaining spiritual things by spiritual words; or, adapting spiritual words to spiritual things - Being taught of the Spirit to express the things of the Spirit.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] words

(1) The writers of Scripture invariably affirm, where the subject is mentioned by them at all, that the words of their writings are divinely taught. This, of necessity, refers to the original documents, not to translations and versions; but the labours of competent scholars have brought our English versions to a degree of perfection Song remarkable that we may confidently rest upon them as authoritative.

(2) 1Cor 2:9-14 gives the process by which a truth passes from the mind of God to the minds of His people.

(a) The unseen things of God are undiscoverable by the natural man (1Cor 2:9).

(b) These unseen things God has revealed to chosen men (1Cor 2:10-12).

(c) The revealed things are communicated in Spirit-taught words (1Cor 2:13). This implies neither mechanical dictation nor the effacement of the writer's personality, but only that the Spirit infallibly guides in the choice of words from the writer's own vocabulary (1Cor 2:13).

(d) These Spirit-taught words, in which the revelation has been expressed, are discerned, as to their true spiritual content, only by the spiritual among believers 1Cor 2:15,16; See Scofield Note: "Rev 22:19".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

13. also-We not only know by the Holy Ghost, but we also speak the "things freely given to us of God" (1Co 2:12).

which the Holy Ghost teacheth-The old manuscripts read "the Spirit" simply, without "Holy."

comparing spiritual things with spiritual-expounding the Spirit-inspired Old Testament Scripture, by comparison with the Gospel which Jesus by the same Spirit revealed [Grotius]; and conversely illustrating the Gospel mysteries by comparing them with the Old Testament types [Chrysostom]. So the Greek word is translated, "comparing" (2Co 10:12). Wahl (Key of the New Testament) translates, "explaining (as the Greek is translated, Ge 40:8, the Septuagint) to spiritual (that is, Spirit-taught) men, spiritual things (the things which we ourselves are taught by the Spirit)." Spirit-taught men alone can comprehend spiritual truths. This accords with 1Co 2:6, 9, 10, 14, 15; 1Co 3:1. Alford translates, "Putting together (combining) spirituals with spirituals"; that is, attaching spiritual words to spiritual things, which we should not do, if we were to use words of worldly wisdom to expound spiritual things (so 1Co 2:1, 4; 1Pe 4:11). Perhaps the generality of the neuters is designed to comprehend these several notions by implication. Comparing, or combining, spirituals with spirituals; implying both that spiritual things are only suited to spiritual persons (so "things" comprehended persons, 1Co 1:27), and also that spiritual truths can only be combined with spiritual (not worldly-wise) words; and lastly, spirituals of the Old and New Testaments can only be understood by mutual comparison or combination, not by combination with worldly "wisdom," or natural perceptions (1Co 1:21, 22; 2:1, 4-9; compare Ps 119:18).

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

2:10-16 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 the real Godhead and the distinct person of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were not guided by worldly principles. They had the revelation of these things from the Spirit of God, and the saving impression of them from the same Spirit. These things they declared in plain, simple language, taught by the Holy Spirit, totally different from the affected oratory or enticing words of man's wisdom. The natural man, the wise man of the world, receives not the things of the Spirit of God. The pride of carnal reasoning is really as much opposed to spirituality, as the basest sensuality. The sanctified mind discerns the real beauties of holiness, but the power of discerning and judging about common and natural things is not lost. But the carnal man is a stranger to the principles, and pleasures, and actings of the Divine life. The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the knowledge of his will. How little have any known of the mind of God by natural power! And the apostles were enabled by his Spirit to make known his mind. In the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. They experience his sanctifying power in their hearts, and bring forth good fruits in their lives.