And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. fed you with milk and not with solid food; until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. Where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not carnal? (1 Co 3:1–4)
In chapter three of this letter, the Apostle Paul revisits the topic mentioned in chapter one, verse 10. He refers to the divisions and conflicts that were present among the Corinthians. If you have been following the previous devotionals, you may recall that someone from Chloe's house church reported that there were disputes among them. The accusations included some proclaiming their allegiance to Paul, others identifying themselves as followers of Apollos, and some aligning with Cephas or Peter. Additionally, there was a group claiming to be of Christ. Paul questions whether Christ can be divided.
What follows next is quite intriguing and worth our attention. At the start of chapter three, Paul boldly asserts that the Corinthians are still living in a fleshly manner. However, he expresses his original intent to address them as spiritually mature individuals, yet he discovers that he must treat them as spiritual infants in Christ. He explains that he had hoped to provide them with deeper spiritual teachings but had to give them basic milk since they were not yet ready for solid food.
Now, let us focus on a few significant phrases within this passage.
For you are still carnal
Paul boldly asserts that the Corinthian church is still in a state of carnality and immaturity. Now, let us first address the meaning of "carnal." The Greek word translated as "carnal" derives from the root word "sarx," which signifies "flesh." In this context, "carnal" signifies being influenced by the desires of the flesh or having a mindset driven by worldly or earthly desires rather than possessing a spiritually mature mindset or, as Paul previously stated, having "the mind of Christ."
I fed you with milk, not with solid food.
As we carefully examine the passage, we can discern a sense of disappointment and shattered expectations within Paul's words. The Gospel had experienced a powerful breakthrough in Corinth, and as we delve into this letter, we will discover that the Corinthian church was not lacking in any spiritual gift.
With such a remarkable outpouring and a demonstration of the Holy Spirit, one would assume that Paul anticipated spiritual growth to accompany such grace. However, in this chapter, we encounter a feeling of astonishment because Paul expresses that his initial intention was to provide them with spiritual nourishment and to witness the Gospel taking root in a way that would naturally lead to spiritual growth and maturity. Yet, Paul was disheartened by the report he received from Chloe's household. Contrary to his expectations of the fruit of spiritual growth, specifically spiritual maturity, he observed the opposite. What he witnessed within the Corinthian church resembled the workings of the worldly system: divisions, competition, and jealousy. At this juncture, Paul realizes that despite the manifestation of spiritual power, there was an evident lack of spiritual maturity.
You are carnal and behaving like mere men.
Finally, Paul provides evidence regarding the carnality and immaturity in the Corinthian church. In verse four of chapter 3, Paul states, "For when one says, 'I am of Paul,' and another, 'I am of Apollos,' are you not being carnal?"
No matter how profound the knowledge of Scripture, how extensive the spiritual insights, how precise the theological accuracies are, or even how remarkable the display of spiritual gifts may be, it holds little significance if, within the church, there exists jealousy, competition, and a lack of unity. In such an environment, we find a church that is both carnal and spiritually immature, despite the uplifting nature of worship services or the outward manifestations of spirituality.
Lesson For Today
A parallel can be drawn between the mindset Paul addresses in his letter to the Corinthians and certain attitudes that can persist among Christians today, particularly when it comes to loyalty towards specific denominations or charismatic Christian leaders.
Just as the Corinthians were dividing themselves based on their allegiance to different leaders like Paul and Apollos, we can observe a similar phenomenon today. Some Christians strongly identify with a particular denomination or theological tradition, proclaiming, "I am of this denomination" or "I am of that theological perspective." This can sometimes lead to a sense of tribalism and exclusivity, where one group sees itself as superior or more "spiritually mature" than others.
Today Christians ought to heed the admonition from Paul's words. Let us strive to cultivate a spirit of unity, love, and humility within the body of Christ. Our focus should not be on divisions or competition but rather on embracing the core teachings of the Gospel and the mind of Christ. Let us be cautious not to place undue emphasis on human leaders or denominations but to keep Christ at the center of our worship and devotion. While leaders and denominations can provide guidance and support, our ultimate loyalty and allegiance should be to Jesus Christ alone.
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