1 Corinthians 2:14

natural man

Paul divides men into three classes:

Greek, "psuchikos", meaning "of the senses" (James 3:15); (Jude 1:19) or "natural," that is, the Adamic man, unrenewed through the new birth (John 3:3); (John 3:5).

Greek, "pneumatikos", meaning "spiritual," that is, the renewed man as Spirit-filled and walking in the Spirit in full communion with God (Ephesians 5:18); and

Greek, "sarkikos", meaning "carnal," "fleshly," that is, the renewed man who, walking "after the flesh," remains a babe in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).

The "natural" man may be learned, gentle, eloquent, fascinating, but the "spiritual" content of Scripture is absolutely hidden from him; and the "fleshly", or "carnal", Christian is able to comprehend only its simplest truths, "milk" (1 Corinthians 3:2).