1 Corinthians 3:2
What does 1 Corinthians 3:2 mean?
A plain-English look at 1 Corinthians 3:2 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What 1 Corinthians 3:2 means
Paul says he fed them with spiritual “milk,” the basic truths of the faith, rather than “meat,” the deeper instruction suited for maturity. He is not shaming them for having once needed milk; that is normal for new believers. His concern is that they still cannot handle more. Their capacity to receive richer teaching is limited by their spiritual state. This verse reminds us that growth in grace increases our appetite for and ability to digest God’s wisdom. Teaching must be suited to hearers, yet hearers are responsible to grow. Paul’s point is not to hoard secrets but to say: your present habits and attitudes keep you from the fuller nourishment God intends.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;
KJV
King James Version · 1611I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I gave you milk and not meat, because you were, then, unable to take it, and even now you are not able;
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862with milk I fed you, and not with meat, for ye were not yet able, but not even yet are ye now able,
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752I gave you milk to drink, not meat: for you were not able as yet. But neither indeed are you now able: for you are yet carnal.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I have given you milk to drink, not meat, for ye have not yet been able, nor indeed are ye yet able;
Context
Building on verse 1, Paul explains how their immaturity affected his ministry among them. He had to tailor his instruction accordingly. This prepares for the evidence he will present next: jealousy and strife show they are still “not able.” The flow is pastoral and corrective—he names their condition, then shows how it blocks deeper truth. Soon he will expose the practical symptom (their factional slogans) and then reset their view of ministers and ministry. The chapter’s logic keeps circling back to one truth: God’s wisdom and growth cannot flourish in soil choked by pride and rivalry.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Hebrews 5:11
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard of interpretation, seeing ye are become dull of hearing.
- 1 Peter 2:2
as newborn babes, long for the spiritual milk which is without guile, that ye may grow thereby unto salvation;
- John 16:12
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.
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