Before concluding his argument with a final quotation in verse 16, Paul adds two brief statements in this verse. The first is positive and the second, negative.

On The spiritual man, see the comments on verse 13. The spiritual man refers to spiritual people in general, not to any male individual, and certainly not to Christ. One important reason is that “Christ” simply cannot be the meaning of verse 13, which is the immediate context of this verse. It is only because the spiritual person has, or is controlled by, the Spirit that he has the supernatural power to examine and understand everything (compare verse 11). There is no suggestion here that the spiritual person has the right in himself because he has some kind of higher rank. See the comments on 2.4.

To be judged by no one: the meaning of these words is determined by the first half of the verse and is also related to the text of previous verses. The person without the Spirit (unspiritual) is not qualified to examine anyone who has the Spirit. He cannot because he himself does not have the means by which he can understand the Spirit itself, or comprehend what the Spirit gives to other people. Paul works out the practical implications of this verse in chapter 4. In the light of 4.3-4, the meaning of 2.15b is probably “no one,” no human being, as in Good News Bible. Good News Bible also makes a stronger English sentence by using the active “is able to judge” rather than the passive to be judged. In languages that do not naturally employ the passive, it would be well to follow Good News Bible‘s example here.

Quoted with permission from Ellingworth, Paul and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians, 2nd edition. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1985/1994. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .