And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Parallel translations
- WEB Brothers, I couldn’t speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly, as to babies in Christ.
- BSB Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
- NKJV And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ.
- NASB And I, brothers and sisters, could not speak to you as spiritual people, but only as fleshly, as to infants in Christ.
- NLT Dear brothers and sisters, when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people. I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in Christ.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Paul says he had to address the Corinthians as worldly, immature believers rather than spiritually mature ones. Their divisions exposed their lack of spiritual growth.
Overview
Paul resumes addressing the church's factions, now diagnosing their root: spiritual immaturity. Though genuine 'babies in Christ,' they were acting 'fleshly,' governed by worldly attitudes rather than the Spirit. This gentle but firm rebuke calls them to grow up into the maturity that befits those who have the mind of Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 10
- Heb 5:13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
- 1 Cor 2:14–15But the natural man 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.
- Eph 4:13–14Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
- 1 Cor 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
- 1 Cor 2:6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
- Rom 7:14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
- 1 Cor 3:3–4For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
- 1 Jn 2:12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
- Gal 6:1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
- Matt 16:23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Christ crucified is the wisdom and power of God; he is our Passover sacrificed for us, the firstfruits of resurrection, the foundation on which everything is built.
How 1 Corinthians 3:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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