What Does 1 Corinthians 10:15 Mean in the King James?

I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say.

1 Corinthians 10:15 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

Here, wisdom includes the freedom to examine what is said.

THE MEANING

These words meet you as someone capable of weighing a claim, not merely receiving it. Discernment belongs to wise hearing.

WHAT THIS UNDOES

This undoes the belief that reverence requires you to suspend discernment: the words invite examination.

THE ROOT

κρίνετε

krinete

GROWS FROM

κριν

krin

To distinguish, decide, or assess.

The word translated “judge” carries the sense of making a distinction and reaching a decision. Wisdom here is active discernment: the saying is placed before the hearer to be weighed.

ALSO GROWS

krisis: Judgment or decision.

κρίσις

This branch names the act of reaching a judgment, showing that the verse calls for considered evaluation.

kritēs: A judge or evaluator.

κριτής

This branch names the one who makes a distinction, echoing the responsibility given to the hearers.

φρονίμοις

phronimois

GROWS FROM

φρον

phron

Mind, thought, or practical understanding.

The word for “wise” is connected with thought and practical understanding. The verse links wisdom with the ability to assess what is heard, rather than with unquestioning agreement.

ALSO GROWS

phroneō: To think or set one’s mind.

φρονέω

This branch shows the mental activity associated with being wise in the verse.

phronēsis: Understanding or practical wisdom.

φρόνησις

This branch brings out the practical discernment implied when the hearers are addressed as wise.

THE PATTERN

Wisdom receives words, then tests them before accepting them.

He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 18:13 · KJVThe verse treats careful hearing before judgment as a mark of wisdom.

These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Acts 17:11 · KJVThey receive the message openly and examine whether it is true.

Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 · KJVThe verse joins testing a claim with keeping what proves sound.

THE THREAD

But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

1 Corinthians 2:15 · KJV

The word translated “judgeth” comes from the same Greek root, ⁨κριν⁩ (krin), meaning to distinguish or assess. This connection opens the verse’s invitation to weigh what is said as part of a wider picture of discernment.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us