Expositor's Bible Commentary Commentary 1 Corinthians 3

As in 2:1, Paul calls the Corinthians “brothers” (GK 81) before reprimanding them for their spiritual immaturity. Not only had he not preached to them with persuasive words (2:1–5), but here he states he could not even speak to them as to those with spiritual maturity. They were acting immaturely as people controlled by the fleshly prejudices and viewpoints of the unsaved. Part of what he means is shown by his reference in vv.4–5 to the party contentions he had discussed in 1:10–17. The word “spiritual” (GK 4461) must be interpreted differently in 3:1 from its meaning in 2:14–15, where Paul uses it to denote the saved person in contrast to the unsaved. Here he combines it with “worldly” and “infants,” so that “spiritual” refers to believers who are spiritually mature Christians.

Paul now amplifies the reference in v.1 to infants by explaining that when he first came, he fed the Corinthian Christians spiritual milk—i.e., the elementary salvation truths of the Gospel. He could not teach them deeper doctrines (“solid food”) because they could not spiritually digest them. And their immaturity is continuing.

The word “worldly” (lit. “fleshly”; GK 4920) further indicates that these Christians are showing characteristics of spiritual immaturity. “For” prepares for Paul’s illustrations of this worldliness—the “jealousy” and “quarreling” that plague the Christian community. His questions are stated in a way that expects a positive answer. The Corinthians, if honest with themselves, should admit their failing here. They are living the way the ordinary sinful people live—in selfishness, pride, and envy.

Implied here is an allusion to their divisions . Paul’s example of himself and Apollos who shared in the ministry at Corinth (Acts 18:1–28) was needed to show the Corinthians that they had a distorted view of the Lord’s work. Whenever they thought of God’s work in terms of belonging to or following a particular Christian worker, they were simply acting on the human level and taking sides, just as the world does.

The word “worldly” (lit. “fleshly”; GK 4920) further indicates that these Christians are showing characteristics of spiritual immaturity. “For” prepares for Paul’s illustrations of this worldliness—the “jealousy” and “quarreling” that plague the Christian community. His questions are stated in a way that expects a positive answer. The Corinthians, if honest with themselves, should admit their failing here. They are living the way the ordinary sinful people live—in selfishness, pride, and envy.

Implied here is an allusion to their divisions . Paul’s example of himself and Apollos who shared in the ministry at Corinth (Acts 18:1–28) was needed to show the Corinthians that they had a distorted view of the Lord’s work. Whenever they thought of God’s work in terms of belonging to or following a particular Christian worker, they were simply acting on the human level and taking sides, just as the world does.

Paul now answers the question of how Paul and Apollos should be viewed. They are simply servants, as are any other workers. No Christian worker is ever to be idolized. Indeed, those who are idolized can become instruments for fragmenting the work of God. Believers must realize that Christian workers are simply God’s agents through whom people believe in Christ. By “believe” (GK 4409) Paul not only means the initial trust in Christ (Romans 3:22–24) but, as v.6 shows, the planting, watering, and God-given increase—the whole process of growth in the Christian life to maturity (2 Peter 3:18).