Bible Strands
1 Corinthians 3:1
Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Paul writes to the Corinthian congregation, addressing them as "brothers" in the middle of a letter correcting division and immaturity.
The words — πνευματικοῖς (pneumatikois), "to spiritual ones," is the term Paul denies them; it marks the category of mature believers he cannot yet reach.
The thread — The milk-and-solid-food metaphor recurs in Hebrews 5:13, and the contrast between the "natural" and "spiritual" person appears in 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 4:13 frames the same trajectory toward maturity.
Why it lands — It is a diagnosis, not an encouragement: Paul names a gap between where the Corinthians are and where they need to be, and the reader is asked to do the same honest self-assessment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
Cross-references
- Hebrews 5:13 For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness.
- 1 Corinthians 2:14 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 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.
- 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 Corinthians 3:3 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?
- 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.
- 1 John 2:12 I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name.