1 Corinthians 2:12 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Believers have received not the world's spirit but God's Spirit, so they may recognize the gifts God has freely given.
What Does 1 Corinthians 2:12 Mean?
Paul now states what believers have been given. They have not received the spirit of the world, with its limited and passing outlook, but the Spirit who comes from God. And this gift has a purpose: that they might know the things freely given to them by God.
The Spirit is given so that God's gifts will not go unrecognized. How sad it would be to possess great blessings and never know them. The Spirit opens our eyes to all that grace has bestowed, and the word freely reminds us that these things are gifts, not wages. Nothing here is earned. For the reader, this is an invitation to gratitude and awareness. The Christian life is not a matter of grasping for more, but of waking up to how much has already been given by a generous God.
1 Corinthians 2:12 in the Original Language
charizomai (χαρίζομαι), 'freely given' -- to grant as a favor of grace, rooted in the word for grace, underscoring that God's gifts are unearned.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Corinthians 2:12
What does 1 Corinthians 2:12 mean?
Believers have received not the world's spirit but God's Spirit, so they may recognize the gifts God has freely given.