Devine Scripture

1 Corinthians 3:1

What does 1 Corinthians 3:1 mean?

A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:1 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What 1 Corinthians 3:1 means

Paul speaks to the Corinthians as brothers in Christ, yet admits he could not address them as mature, Spirit-led believers. Instead, he had to treat them as people still ruled by fleshly impulses—“babes in Christ.” He does not deny their salvation, but he diagnoses their stage: real believers, not yet grown. Their thinking and conduct reveal a dependence on natural instincts rather than submission to the Holy Spirit. This verse teaches that Christian life begins with spiritual infancy and should progress, but can stall. Paul’s honest assessment is loving correction: spiritual standing in Christ is a gift, while spiritual maturity is a calling that requires response, humility, and growth under the Spirit’s influence.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And the teaching I gave you, my brothers, was such as I was able to give, not to those who have the Spirit, but to those who are still in the flesh, even to children in Christ.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly--as to babes in Christ;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And I, brethren, could not speak to you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal. As unto little ones in Christ.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And I, brethren, have not been able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshly; as to babes in Christ.

Context

Paul has just contrasted the natural person and the spiritual person (chapter 2), highlighting the Spirit’s role in understanding God’s wisdom. Now he applies that contrast to the Corinthians’ condition. He begins the chapter by naming their immaturity. This sets up his case: their divisions are evidence of carnality, not spirituality. The next verses will give concrete proof—jealousy, strife, and leader-centered boasting—and then reframe leaders like Paul and Apollos as mere servants. The movement goes from diagnosis (you are infants) to symptoms (envy and factions) to remedy (fix your eyes on God who gives growth).

v.1This passage

v.2I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • 1 Corinthians 2:6

    We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nought:

  • Hebrews 5:13

    For every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the word of righteousness; for he is a babe.

  • Matthew 16:23

    But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art a stumbling-block unto me: for thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men.

  • Ephesians 4:13

    till we all attain unto the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a fullgrown man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

  • 1 Corinthians 2:14

    Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.

  • 1 Corinthians 14:20

    Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.

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