1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Summary for 1Cor 3:1-9: 3:1–4:7 a Having contrasted human and spiritual wisdom, Paul now returns to the divisiveness in the Corinthian church (see 1:10-12 b), particularly their misplaced devotion to himself and Apollos.Summary for 1Cor 3:1-4: 3:1-4 c Paul rebukes the Christians in Corinth for their spiritual immaturity. 3:1 d The Corinthians’ behavior was not that of the spiritual people whom Paul described in 2:15 e, but like that of unbelievers who are attracted to the wisdom and values of this world.
• infants in Christ: Though they were converted, their lives and thinking did not reflect maturity in Christ and the transforming perspective of his Spirit.
3:2 f Because of the Corinthian Christians’ lack of spiritual maturity, Paul was unable to speak about the deeper truths of life in Christ, the solid food (see 2:6-7 g) that is reserved for mature Christians. Instead, he had to restrict himself to milk, the basic teachings of the Good News (cp. Heb 5:12-14 h; 6:1-3 i; 1 Pet 2:2 j).
3:3 k Their jealousy and quarreling (see 1:10-12 l) showed that they were still just like unbelievers, controlled by their sinful nature rather than by the Spirit of God (cp. 2 Cor 12:20 m; Gal 5:19-21 n).
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