May 14

He that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. - 1 Corinthians 2:15.

WE have here a distinction to exemplify:-“Yet he himself is judged of no man.” This distinction may not be so peculiar as at first it may appear. A person has acquired a certain art, and another, ignorant of that art, calls in question the other’s proficiency in it; and he says, “I am not to be judged by such as you.” The higher and more peculiar the sphere in which any one moves, the more difficult must it be to judge him. How could Handel be judged of properly by a clown or a novice in the principles of music? It is always peculiarly difficult to judge a man morally and religiously, for we are ignorant of a thousand things which may lead to extenuate or condemn; therefore our Saviour says, “Judge not,” and afterwards applauds judgment:-“Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”

But the spiritual man is absolutely inexplicable to the natural man. He is “a new creature,” and not, therefore, to be judged of by the old rules and principles. His “life is hid with Christ in God.” The Saviour says, “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, which no man knoweth save he who receiveth it.” “The Spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” That is, he knows them, but they know not him. He has been in their condition, but they have not been in his. He is no stranger to their experience, but they are perfect strangers to his. He knows their language, but they do not understand his. No; the greater part of his religion must be secret and unobserved by the world. “The heart knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger intermeddleth not with its joy.”