In context in our verse of concern (1Cor 2:14), one should note the emphases both before and after is on human wisdom in regards to judgment. Context is seen in the passages from (1Cor 1:17-2:16) where Paul is contrasting between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of humans of that day -this including the supposedly wisest scholars, philosophers, and earthly rulers of that day.
(1Cor 2:14) But the natural man (unsaved) receiveth not the things (subject is clearly wisdom) of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him (they have not received the Holy Spirit) neither can he know them, (being unsaved) because they are spiritually discerned. (they do not judge with Spiritual wisdom)
Commentary on these passages:
Paul's point...is straightforward and rhetorically telling: the human power-wielders were so completely clueless about God's way or working that they actually crucified the Lord of glory. Why, therefore, should we pay attention to human notions of wisdom and power?...Hays
The subject is plainly of judgment wherein Paul is saying that judgment should not rest on human wisdom but the spiritually mature should rest their faith on the power of God in judgment. The context is not suggesting that the natural man is unable to receive the Grace of God as referred to by the first letter in TULIP “Total depravity”, but that the natural man being (unsaved) does not have the wisdom of God but only human wisdom not being in the spirit of faith. Placing this verse into context we see it clearly does not support the notion of the none existence of “synergy” (the doctrine that human will cooperates with Devine grace in regeneration) this is also clearly in light when Paul speaking to his brothers (the saved) said in verse 1:26 “For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, ” the subject again is Godly wisdom vs. human wisdom and where we should rest; we see in regards to “not many” meaning of these saved if this were in the context of spiritual depravity pertaining to grace, there could be no division pertaining to the U in TULIP “unconditional election” between them as Paul called them all “brothers”.
(1Cor 1:17-2:16)
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, (human wisdom) lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart." Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, whom God made our wisdom and our righteousness and sanctification and redemption. Therefore, as it is written, "Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord."
And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God. Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
The saved understand the wisdom of this mystery in the Spirit of God, the unsaved think it is foolish in their human wisdom, the subject does not reflect on regeneration that comes after having received the Holy Spirit so using the proof texting of 1Cor 2:14 to suggest synergy as false does not apply.
Have fun! Gone fishing!
:tongue3:
--->(1 Cor 2:14)