1 Corinthians 3:1

Translations

Modern

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.

Traditional

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

Literal

And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual but as to fleshly—as to infants in Christ.

Latin

Et ego, fratres, non potui vobis loqui quasi spiritualibus, sed quasi carnalibus. Tamquam parvulis in Christo,

Original

Greek

English

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.

Notes

1 Corinthians 3:1

The Corinthians did not act like the spiritual people Paul described in 1 Corinthians 2:15. Instead, they behaved like unbelievers drawn to worldly wisdom and values.
as infants in Christ: Although they converted, their lives and thoughts did not show maturity in Christ or the transformative perspective of his Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:1–4

Paul criticizes the Christians in Corinth for not growing spiritually.

1 Corinthians 3:1–4:7

After comparing human and spiritual wisdom, Paul addresses the divisions in the Corinthian church (see 1 Corinthians 1:10–12), especially their undue loyalty to him and Apollos.

Theme notes and profiles

Paul (Saul) Religious Hypocrisy Spiritual Maturity

Related verses

Hebrews 5:13
For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.
1 Corinthians 2:14–15
The natural man does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God. For they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Ephesians 4:13–14
…until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.
1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.
1 Corinthians 2:6
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
Romans 7:14
We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin.
1 Corinthians 3:3–4
…for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?
Matthew 16:23
But Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me. For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
1 John 2:12
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.
Galatians 6:1
Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted.

Parallels

Hebrews 5:11–14

People

Jesus: The Son of God and Savior of the world

Glossary

Apollos Bible, Manuscripts and Text of the (New Testament) First Letter to the Corinthians Flesh Peter, Second Letter of Sanctification Second Letter to the Thessalonians Spiritual Gifts

Topics

Babes of Weak Christians Carnal Christians Christian Minister: False and Corrupt Doctrines: False Envy: A Proof of Carnal-Mindedness Neophytes: General Scriptures Concerning Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Spiritual Life: Has Its Infancy Strife: General Scriptures Concerning

1 Corinthians 3:1

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