Beginning in 1 Corinthians 2:10 Paul elaborates on our need for the Holy Spirit-given wisdom and revelation, and he ties this very firmly to our receiving the “words… which the Holy Spirit teaches” (2:13).

He immediately turns from these observations to an outright confrontation with the carnality of the Corinthians, attributing it to the shallowness of their intake of God’s Word (“not able to receive [solid food] 3:2 see also Hebrews chapter 5:12-14).

The demanding truth of this passage is that no amount of supposed spiritual insight or experience reflects genuine spiritual growth if it is separated from our basic growth in the knowledge of God’s word in the Bible. Without this rootedness in the Word, we may be mistaken about our growth. To experience true spiritual growth, we must study the Word and separate ourselves from anything that may get in the way.