1 Corinthians 3:2-3, Ye Are Yet Carnal

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1 Corinthians 3:2-3 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

The Apostle Paul wisely observes the spiritual state of believers in Corinth by describing their tell tales signs of spiritual immaturity. He tells them unapologetically of envying and strife and divisions among them.

What is envy?

  • Envy is resenting the advantage of another, with a desire to possess the same advantage.
  • Envy is coveting what another has.
  • The Latin word for “envy” is invidere, which means “to look at with enmity.” [1]

What is strife?

  • Strife is intriguing for office, fractiousness (desire to put oneself forward)

What is divison?

  • “to stand apart”, hence “disunity, dissension within a community.”

Truly, “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.” (James 3:16)

The cure is to put on the mind of Christ as the Apostle Paul had said earlier in chapter 2. Jesus puts it well in Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. Also, in Philippians 2:1-5 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.

May God wrought a sanctifying work of grace to grant spiritual maturity to His people. Amen.

 

[1] Biblical Counseling Keys – Biblical Counseling Keys – Envy & Jealousy: Taming the Terrible Twins.