What is the accurate translation of "ψυχικὸς δὲ ἄνθρωπος" in 1 Corinthians 2:14?

Question

1 Corinthians 2:14 (DRB):

14 But the sensual man perceiveth not these things that are of the Spirit of God; for it is foolishness to him, and he cannot understand, because it is spiritually examined.

1 Corinthians 2:14 (GNT):

14 ψυχικος δε ανθρωπος ου δεχεται τα του πνευματος του θεου μωρια γαρ αυτω εστιν και ου δυναται γνωναι οτι πνευματικως ανακρινεται

I read the Arabic and English translations of the Greek phrase "ψυχικὸς δὲ ἄνθρωπος" in 1 Corinthians 2:14, the translations were as follows:

• الإنسان الطبيعي.
• الإنسان البشري.
• Natural man.
• Natural person.
• sensual man.

I think all these translations (except: sensual man) are inaccurate.

I think the accurate translation is "psychic person" or "Soulish person".

So, what is the accurate translation of the phrase?

Are there English translations like: "psychic person" or "Soulish person"?

Answer 1

“Are there English translations like: "psychic person"?”

Yes.

“Recovery Version Bible” is very accurate to Greek and consistent in translation. It is very clear in Tripartite man, distinguishing between spirit and soul clearly.

2:14 But a soulish man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him and he is not able to know them because they are discerned spiritually.

https://online.recoveryversion.bible/BibleChapters.cfm?cid=135

Answer 2

Adam was made a living soul, 1 Corinthians 15:45. Literally, 'became the first man Adam unto soul living (see the literal interlinear of The Englishman's Greek New Testament).

God breathed into him the breath of life. But that was natural. It was of creation.

Paul tells us, again in I Corinthians 15:45 that 'the last Adam unto quickening spirit' ibid.

The same contrast as is in 15:45 is also here in 2:14.

Paul is saying that ψυχικος δε ανθρωπος, psuchikos de anthropos, 'that natural to man' does not receive the things of the Spirit of God.

Man by nature, man as created, man in his natural state - does not receive such. We know from other scriptures that a new birth is required, as Jesus says in John 3 'ye must be born again'.

Man has by nature the breath of God, but that is a created thing. It is natural. The word psuchikos is derived from psuche. But Paul contrasts that with the living spirit which came of the second humanity, the 'last' Adam.

However the word 'psychic' has a special meaning in English and does not translate the word psuche in Greek. And therefore is not suitable for the derived word psuchikos.

Psuche : ψυχή, ψυχῆς, ἡ (ψύχω, to breathe, blow), from Homer down, the Sept. times too many to count for נֶפֶשׁ, occasionally also for לֵב and לֵבָב;

The breath of life; the vital force; the living being; life ; the soul

Thayer - Biblehub