Hello people of God,
Today, let’s look at how Paul identifies the believers in Corinth as infants in Christ because of how they conduct themselves:
And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to fleshly men, as to infants in Christ.
— 1 Corinthians 3:1
The epistle that Paul writes to the Corinthian church is one of correction and reproof. Paul addresses issues in the church that were brought to him. The main issue that persists throughout the church is that of division.
For I have been informed concerning you, my brothers, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you.
— 1 Corinthians 1:11
These divisions appear to span various aspects, from leadership and spiritual gifts to orderly worship and handling disputes in the church.
In addressing these divisions, Paul says to the Corinthians that he is not able to speak to them as spiritual men but rather as infants in Christ. In doing so, he groups believers into two categories: spiritual men and infants in Christ. Paul then lists a few traits that characterize the infants. As we observe these characteristics, we can also see how Paul views one who is spiritual.
The food they eat
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are still not able,
— 1 Corinthians 3:2
The infants in Christ drink milk, while the spiritual men eat solid food. Infants are yet to develop the digestive system to handle solid food, whereas grownups can break down solids into necessary nutrients. Because of this, infants are presented with simple, non-complex, ready-to-consume nutrients in the form of milk.
This is true for the group Paul refers to as infants in Christ. They have not developed the perseverance required to handle hard truths and deeper matters of the word. Therefore, Paul says he gave them milk to drink, delivering the basic truths they needed to hear to take those baby steps in their spiritual growth.
A good example of such truths is one that the apostle John states in his epistle to the believers:
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven you for His name’s sake.
— 1 John 2:12
These little children need to learn that their sins have been forgiven and that the reason for the forgiveness of their sins is for our Lord’s own sake. This is one of the most important truths for believers who are still young in the faith. This truth allows them to take the next step in their faith to grow.
Knowing that one’s sins have been forgiven allows them to break free from the bondage of sin. Without understanding that we’ve been set free and that we’re no longer slaves to sin, we’ll find ourselves going back to our own vomit.
Like a dog that returns to its vomit
Is a fool who repeats his folly.
— Proverbs 26:11
Their battle with the flesh
For you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?
— 1 Corinthians 3:3
Paul says that these Corinthians are still fleshly, meaning their battle with the flesh is still in the early stages. The early stage of the battle with the flesh is usually characterized by the flesh winning most of the time. However, as the believer continues to grow in their sanctification by the power of the Holy Spirit, they come to a place where they win more and more battles against the flesh.
We see this picture again as portrayed by John, who speaks about how it looks for a believer who has grown out of childhood and into their youth in the faith, where they have more victories against the flesh.
I am writing to you, fathers, because you have known Him who has been from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you have known the Father.
— 1 John 2:13
Paul tells the Corinthians that the signs they are still fleshly include jealousy and strife. Paul considers these behaviors as belonging to infants in Christ, not mature men.
Paul expects that if the Corinthians had matured in the faith, they would not exhibit jealousy and strife among themselves. But because they are still infants, fleshly, and mere men, their conduct reveals their immaturity, evident to both Paul and those who reported to him.
Paul desires for the believers to grow out of these childish indulgences. He wants the Corinthians to grow up and become mature spiritual men. To Paul, this means he would be able to feed them solid food—deeper truths of the Word of God—truths that would make them fathers who know God and are in a deep and intimate relationship with the Father.
This also means that the Corinthians would move away from acting fleshly and instead set their minds on things above. As spiritual men, Paul expects the Corinthians to be on the winning side of their battles with the flesh, not consumed with jealousy and strife.
Let’s ask ourselves these questions:
- What food are we eating? Are we still drinking milk? If so, are we settled on just drinking milk and not growing to eat solid food?
- How is our battle with the flesh? Is the flesh winning against us? Have we come to understand that the Holy Spirit enables us to win these battles and that we ought to submit to the Holy Spirit’s leading in this war against the flesh?
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want.
— Galatians 5:17
I pray this word encourages us to desire spiritual growth.
May the peace of God that surpasses all understanding guard your hearts and minds,
Paul
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