1 Corinthians 3:4, Are Ye Not Carnal?

1 Corinthians 3:4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?

The Apostle Paul is asking a rhetorical question. The answer is “yes.” Some believers in Corinth were indeed spiritually immature, unable to grasp the deeper meaning of Christian consecration involves sacrificial service and devotion.

William MacDonald observed well, “Instead of mature behaviour characterized by humility and concern for others — obedience to God — the Corinthians were infantile, self-centered, and therefore divisive (v. 4; cf. 1:12). They wanted lives of exaltation (4:8) without lives of humiliation (4:9-13) because they did not understand that “Christ … crucified” was a message concerned not only with justification but also with sanctification (cf. Phil. 2:1-8). This misunderstanding was at the root of their disunity (cf. 1 Cor. 1:10; 3:4), which error Paul wanted to correct.”

Therefore, some would support Paul over Apollos and others Apollos over Paul. By pitting one against the other, they find their superiority. They were still carnal in their mindset. In seeking the praise of men, they lose the praise of God. In attempting to be one up, they demonstrated their spiritual immaturity.

May God be merciful to spare His people from such prideful actions. Amen.