Five Kinds of People

By Arthur J Licursi

The Bible divides the human race into five categories of people.

1. The “lost and perishing”:

These are the “sons of Adam” (Deut 32:8).

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 (AMP) (Paul writes) But even if our Gospel (the glad tidings) also be hidden (obscured and covered up with a veil that hinders the knowledge of God), it is hidden [only] to THOSE WHO ARE PERISHING and obscured [only] to those who are spiritually dying and veiled [only] to THOSE WHO ARE LOST. ⁴ For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the Image and Likeness of God.

Paul then also writes this to the Christian believers at Ephesus referring to their past condition. Not being born of Christ’s resurrection life, the lost and perishing are those who are “without Christ …having no hope, and without God in the world.”

Ephesians 2:11-12 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; ¹² That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, HAVING NO HOPE, AND WITHOUT GOD IN THE WORLD:

2. The “babe in Christ”:

When a person sees his self as a sinner and trusts Christ as his personal Saviour, he is immediately reborn as a “babe in Christ.” Babes in Christ can and should grow. Paul had to write this to the Corinthian believers who he still considered “babes in Christ.”

“I...could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear [digest] it, neither yet now are ye able” (1Cor.3:1, 2).

Every parent loves and hopes for their baby, but the joy that fills the hearts of loving parents turns to sorrow if their baby fails to grow.

All believers should “desire the sincere [pure] milk of the Word that ye may grow thereby” (1Pet.2:2) “that we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine” (Eph.4:14). Peter then exhorts; “but grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our lord and saviour, Jesus Christ” (2pet. 3:18).

3. The “carnal” Christian:

Though perhaps they may have been a Christians for many years, some have not grown in God’s love and grace. This is often due to their indifference and ignorance of the word of God and the good news of Paul’s Gospel that would win their hearts. Many of the carnal Corinthian Christians remained shallow, fleshly, and lived according to his independent self-will, often living for the physical pleasures and comforts of this world. Some caused strife and division in “the body of Christ.” These still have to be treated as a “babes in Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:1-4 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto CARNAL, even as unto babes in Christ. ² I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. ³ FOR YE ARE YET CARNAL: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? ⁴ For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

4. The “natural man”:

“The natural man (Gk., psuchikos, the man of the soul) receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (ICor.2:14).

Most people wrongly assume the world “natural” here refers to an unsaved man, a non-Christian. However, in context we must note that Paul was writing to the carnal babes at Corinth who actually are Christians who are not spiritual; they are still “natural” (Greek, psuchikos, the man of the soul). This means they live by their soul, the psyche (psuche), their psychological self, their intellect; they live independent of “the Spirit of Christ” within them.

Bible knowledge is helpful to point us to trust Christ and the truth of “the gospel of the grace of God,” but this alone does not make one spiritual. No matter how studied and knowledgeable of the Bible he may be, “the natural man,” being independent of the Spirit, does not yet trust and yield to Christ’s “Spirit of life” in his spirit for his discernment. Thus, he is still blinded due to his being “a man of the soul.”

5. The “spiritual” Christian is one who has come to a trusting union with Christ. He knows the truth of the written word of God and he intimately knows Christ who lives within him. He has grown in spiritual maturity to be led by the Spirit. He is no longer merely a babe or child of God (Rom 8:16); he is a grown up “son of God” (Rom 8:14) or a “man of God.” (2 Timothy 3:17). By trusting the Lord he is equipped with the Lord’s life and power, and he has revelation of the truth in his study of the written word and in His contemplation of God.

2 Timothy 3:17 (AMP) So that THE MAN OF GOD may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.

1 Corinthians 2:15-16 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. ¹⁶ For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ