What does God mean when He's Speaking someone being "The Natural Man?"

[Alan Dale Gross]

1. What does it mean to be a Natural Man?

Answer: To understand the meaning of being a Natural Man we must first examine the term “natural”.

A.– Natural means- of or pertaining to one’s Nature or Constitution; Inborn. (Webster Illustration Contemporary Dictionary pg. 482).

Merriam Webster dictionary 11th definition says- "being in a State of Nature without Spiritual Enlightenment : UNREGENERATE Natural Man

B – Natural according to Vines– PSUCHIKOS, belonging to the PSUCHE, “soul” ( as the lower part of the immaterial in man), natural, physical, describes the man in Adam and pertains to him (set contrast to PNUEMATIKOS,” Spiritual”) I Cor.2:14;15;44 (twice) 46 (in the latter used as a noun); Jas.3:15 ”sensual” (RV. marg. natural or animal), here relating perhaps more especially to the mind, a wisdom in accordance with, or springing from, the corrupt desires and affection; so in Jude19. (Vines Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words, pg. 426-427).

C – The Bible describes the Natural Man as:

A sinner from the womb (Psa.51:5; Isa.48:8).

Born in the flesh Jn.3:6.

Evil from childhood (Prov.22:15; Gen.8:21).

Defiled by sin from head to toes (Isa. 1:5).

"The faculties of the Human Nature are being Ruled by sin:
"Heart – ( Gen. 6:5;8:21; Jer.17:9; Matt. 15:18);
"Mind – ( Rom.8:5,7); Conscience – (Tit. 1:15);
"Eyes –( Prov. 21;2; IICor.3-4; Rom.3:8);
"Ears – ( Jn.8:43,47;Jer.5:21;Isa. 43:7).

"Unregenerate do not have the Spirit of God ( Eph.4:18; Jude19, Rom.8:8-9).

"By Nature (rendered in Greek Textus Receptus- “phusei” from phusis means- by birth, in born) children of Wrath (Eph.2:3).

"Therefore, the Natural Man is Corrupted by sin and is Dominated by his sinful Nature (Job 25:4-6)."

 

[Armchair Apologist]

To boil things down into one sentence, it is someone who is unregenerate; dead in their trespasses and sin and therefore not understanding or having any interest in the things of God.

 

[JonC]

I believe Scripture speaks of "natural man" quite a few times. This is "the flesh".

 

[Alan Dale Gross]

To boil things down into one sentence, it is someone who is unregenerate; dead in their trespasses and sin and therefore not understanding or having any interest in the things of God.

Yes. Exactly. In one sentence, you've got it.

Some don't even get it if they consider it from a whole book, or the Bible for that matter.

While, the deadness of a lost sinner is an immense subject, ​

when God is talking about the soul being 'dead', He simply Means 'dead', ​

and He simply Says the soul is in a State of being 'dead' ​

where that soul will remain, UNLESS IT IS "QUICKENED" BY "GOD".​

The Total Depravity of Man by A. W. Pink​

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1 - Introduction

Chapter 2 - Origin

Chapter 3 - Imputation

Chapter 4 - Consequences

Chapter 5 - Transmission

Chapter 6 - Nature

Chapter 7 - Impact

Chapter 8 - Enormity

Chapter 9 - Extent

Chapter 10 - Ramifications

Chapter 11 - Evidences

Chapter 12 - Corollaries

Chapter 13 - Remedy

Chapter 14 - Summary