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The Nature of Humanity's Spiritual Condition in Scripture

The spiritual condition of humanity, as presented in Scripture, is characterized by a fundamental alienation from God, often described as spiritual death, which necessitates a transformative work of God for reconciliation and new life [8]. This condition is not merely a lack of knowledge but a deep-seated inability to comprehend or receive spiritual truths [3].

The Bible describes humanity in its natural state as "earthy," in contrast to the "heavenly" nature of Christ and his regenerate followers [12]. This natural state is one where individuals are unable to receive the things of God's Spirit, considering them foolishness, because spiritual matters require spiritual discernment [3]. The apostle Paul contrasts the "natural body" with the "spiritual body," indicating a fundamental difference in being [4, 6]. This distinction is further elaborated by the idea that Adam represents a natural and earthly humanity, enslaved to sin and death, while Christ represents a spiritual and heavenly humanity, purified and destined for life [11].

This natural condition is often referred to as spiritual death, which is characterized by alienation from God [8]. It is linked to carnal-mindedness, walking in trespasses and sins, spiritual ignorance, unbelief, and living in pleasure [8]. This state is a direct consequence of the Fall, and it is the condition of all humanity by nature [8]. The fruits of this spiritual death are described as "dead works" [8].

The need for a radical change in humanity's spiritual condition is emphasized through the concept of the "new birth" [2]. This new birth is required because of the inherent corruption of human nature [2]. Without it, no one can enter heaven [2]. This transformation is not something humanity can achieve on its own; it is effected by God, through Christ, and by the Holy Spirit [2]. The instrumentality for this new birth includes the Word of God, the resurrection of Christ, and the ministry of the gospel [2]. It is a result of God's will and mercy, and it is for His glory [2]. The new birth is described as a "new creation" and "newness of life" [2].

The human spirit, though fallen, is still recognized as a distinct aspect of human nature. Proverbs 20:27 states, "The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts" [5]. John Gill interprets this as the rational soul of man, which was originally a bright light but has become dim through sin, offering only a "glimmering view of divine things" [14]. This "light of nature" is insufficient for a full understanding of God without divine revelation [14]. The spirit can also be overwhelmed and desolate, as seen in Psalms 143:4, "Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate" [7].

The concept of holiness is closely tied to the transformed spiritual condition. Holiness is commanded by God and is an attribute that Christ desires for his people [9]. It is a standard set by God's own character and Christ's example [9]. The gospel is presented as the way to holiness, which is necessary for the worship of God, and without which, none shall see God [9]. Saints are elected, called, and newly created in holiness [9].

The necessity of Christ's human nature is also relevant to understanding humanity's spiritual condition. Christ partook of human nature, including flesh and blood, and experienced human emotions and limitations such as weeping, hungering, thirsting, sleeping, and weariness [1, 10]. This shared humanity allowed him to suffer and thus be compassionate towards those who are afflicted, enabling him to succor them [10]. His human nature was essential for his mediatorial office [1].

The distinction between the natural and spiritual is a recurring theme. The "natural man" is contrasted with the "spiritual man" [3, 6]. This distinction is not merely between a profane person and a religious one, but between an unregenerate person and one who has been born again [13]. Even a "wise philosopher" or "Scribe" can be considered a natural man if they lack the Spirit [13]. The spiritual body supersedes the physical body, just as Christ's life-giving Spirit supersedes natural life [11].

The spiritual condition of humanity, therefore, is not static. It begins in a state of spiritual death and alienation from God, but through divine intervention, it can be transformed into a state of new life, characterized by spiritual discernment and holiness. This transformation is entirely dependent on God's work through Christ and the Holy Spirit, highlighting the profound impact of the Fall and the equally profound grace of redemption.

Sources

  1. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Human Nature of Christ, The — Was necessary to his mediatorial office -- 1Ti 2:5; Heb 2:17; Ga 4:4,5; 1Co 15:21; Ro 6:15,19. Is proved by his Conception in the Virgin's womb. -- Mt 1:18; Lu 1:31. Birth. -- Mt 1:16,25; 2:2; Lu 2:7,11. Partaking of flesh and blood. -- Joh 1:14; Heb 2:14. Having a human soul. -- Mt 26:38; Lu 23:46; Ac 2:31. Circumcision. -- Lu 2:21. Increase in wisdom and stature. -- Lu 2:52. Weeping. -- Lu 19:41; Joh 11:35. Hungering. -- Mt 4:2; 21:18. Thirsting. -- Joh 4:7; 19:28. Sleeping. -- Mt 8:24; Mr 4:38. Being subject to weariness. -- Joh 4:6. ”
  2. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: New Birth, The — The corruption of human nature requires -- Joh 3:6; Ro 8:7,8. None can enter heaven without -- Joh 3:3. Effected by God. -- Joh 1:13; 1Pe 1:3. Christ. -- 1Jo 2:29. The Holy Spirit. -- Joh 3:6; Tit 3:5. Through the instrumentality of The word of God. -- Jas 1:18; 1Pe 1:23. The resurrection of Christ. -- 1Pe 1:3. The ministry of the gospel. -- 1Co 4:15. Is of the will of God -- Jas 1:18. Is of the mercy of God -- Tit 3:5. Is for the glory of God -- Isa 43:7. Described as A new creation. -- 2Co 5:17; Ga 6:15; Eph 2:10. Newness of life. -- Ro 6:4. A spir”
  3. 1 Corinthians “Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned. -- 1 Corinthians 2:14”
  4. 1 Corinthians “It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body and there is also a spiritual body. -- 1 Corinthians 15:44”
  5. Proverbs “The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts. -- Proverbs 20:27”
  6. 1 Corinthians “However that which is spiritual isn’t first, but that which is natural, then that which is spiritual. -- 1 Corinthians 15:46”
  7. Psalms “Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me. My heart within me is desolate. -- Psalms 143:4”
  8. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Spiritual — Alienation from God is -- Eph 4:18. Carnal-mindedness is -- Ro 8:6. Walking in trespasses and sins is -- Eph 2:1; Col 2:13. Spiritual ignorance is -- Isa 9:2; Mt 4:16; Lu 1:79; Eph 4:18. Unbelief is -- Joh 3:36; 1Jo 5:12. Living in pleasure is -- 1Ti 5:6. Hypocrisy is -- Re 3:1,2. Is a consequence of the fall -- Ro 5:15. Is the state of all men by nature -- Ro 6:13; 8:6. The fruits of, are dead works -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. A call to arise from -- Eph 5:14. Deliverance from, is through Christ -- Joh 5:24,25; Eph 2:5; 1Jo 5:12. Saints are raised from -- R”
  9. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Holiness — Commanded -- Le 11:45; 20:7; Eph 5:8; Col 3:12; Ro 12:1. Christ Desires for his people. -- Joh 17:17. Effects, in his people. -- Eph 5:25-27. An example of. -- Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:21,22. The character of God, the standard of -- Le 19:2; 1Pe 1:15,16; Eph 5:1. The character of Christ, the standard of -- Ro 8:29; 1Jo 2:6; Php 2:5. The gospel the way of -- Isa 35:8. Necessary to God's worship -- Ps 24:3,4. None shall see God without -- Eph 5:5; Heb 12:14. Saints Elected to. -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:4. Called to. -- 1Th 4:7; 2Ti 1:9. New created in. -- Eph 4:24. Possess. ”
  10. Hebrews (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Hebrews 2:18: For in that he himself hath suffered - The maxim on which this verse is founded is the following: A state of suffering disposes persons to be compassionate, and those who endure most afflictions are they who feel most for others. The apostle argues that, among other causes, it was necessary that Jesus Christ should partake of human nature, exposed to trials, persecutions, and various sufferings, that he might the better feel for and be led to succor those who are afflicted and sorely tried. This sentiment is well expressed by a Roman poet: - Me quoque per multas s”
  11. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 15:45: 15:45-49 Adam and Christ founded two distinct humanities: One is natural and earthly, enslaved to sin and death; the other is spiritual and heavenly, purified and destined for life. Adam represents the natural (physical) body and Christ the spiritual (resurrection) body. See also 15:21-22; Rom 5:12-21. 15:45-46 Just as Christ’s life-giving Spirit supersedes the natural life, the spiritual body will supersede the physical body.”
  12. 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 15:48: As is the earthy--namely, Adam. they . . . that are earthy--All Adam's posterity in their natural state (Joh 3:6-7). the heavenly--Christ. they . . . that are heavenly--His people in their regenerate state (Phi 3:20-21). As the former precedes the latter state, so the natural bodies precede the spiritual bodies.”
  13. 1 Corinthians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Corinthians 2:13: But the natural man,.... Not a babe in Christ, one that is newly born again, for though such have but little knowledge of spiritual things, yet they have a taste, and do relish and desire, and receive the sincere milk of the word, and grow thereby; but an unregenerate man, that has no knowledge at all of such things; not an unregenerate man only, who is openly and notoriously profane, abandoned to sensual lusts and pleasures; though such a man being sensual, and not having the Spirit, must be a natural man; but rather the wise philosopher, the Scribe, the dispu”
  14. Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 20:27: The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord,.... The rational soul of man is a light set up in him; this is what is commonly called the light of nature; it was a bright and burning light at first, but through sin is become a very feeble one; by which men have only a glimmering view of divine things, of God and his worship, and of what he would have done, or not done; by this light men do but grope after him, if happily they may find him and know his will; it is but like a candle light at best, in comparison of divine revelation, or the Gospel of the grace of God, w”
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