1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Division Is Carnal

The Corinthians had grown slowly in spiritual things. They still clung to carnal things like envy and strife (1 Corinthians 3:1). Like those at Ephesus, they needed not to be "children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive, but speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head: Christ" (Ephesians 4:13-14).

In working with them, Paul had concentrated on first principles. He could not go further in teaching them because they were not ready to go on. The Hebrews' writer said, "For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food" (Hebrews 5:12-14; Hebrews 6:1-3; 1 Peter 2:2). Those at Corinth were still ruled by worldly thoughts and desires, as is evidenced in the divisions mentioned in 1 Corinthians 1:11-12. They could not argue with his statement that they were carnal since their division stood as proof against them (1 Corinthians 3:24; Galatians 5:19-21).