1Cor 3:1 | Clarke | STEP | Because of the carnal, divided state of the people at Corinth, the apostle was obliged to treat them as children in the knowledge of sacred things, . Some were for setting up Paul, others Apollos, as their sole teachers, . The apostle shows that himself and fellow apostles were only instruments which God used to bring them to the knowledge of the truth; and even their sowing, and watering the seed was of no use unless God gave the increase, . The Church represented as God's husbandry, and as God's building, the foundation of which is Christ Jesus, . Ministers must beware how and what they build on this foundation, . The Church of God is his temple, and he that defiles it shall be destroyed, , . No man should depend on his own wisdom; for the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, . None should glory in man as his teacher; God gives his followers every good, both for time and eternity, . Verse 1 I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual - This is a continuation of the preceding discourse. See the notes on , (note), and (note). But as unto carnal - Σαρκικοις, Persons under the influence of fleshly appetites; coveting and living for the things of this life. Babes in Christ - Just beginning to acquire some notion of the Christian religion, hut as yet very incapable of judging what is most suitable to yourselves, and consequently utterly unqualified to discern between one teacher and another; so that your making the distinctions which you do make, so far from being a proof of mature judgment, is on the contrary a proof that you have no right judgment at all; and this springs from your want of knowledge in Divine things.

‏ 1 Corinthians 3:1

Introduction

Because of the carnal, divided state of the people at Corinth, the apostle was obliged to treat them as children in the knowledge of sacred things, 1Cor 3:1-3. Some were for setting up Paul, others Apollos, as their sole teachers, 1Cor 3:4. The apostle shows that himself and fellow apostles were only instruments which God used to bring them to the knowledge of the truth; and even their sowing, and watering the seed was of no use unless God gave the increase, 1Cor 3:5-8. The Church represented as God's husbandry, and as God's building, the foundation of which is Christ Jesus, 1Cor 3:9-11. Ministers must beware how and what they build on this foundation, 1Cor 3:12-15. The Church of God is his temple, and he that defiles it shall be destroyed, 1Cor 3:16, 1Cor 3:17. No man should depend on his own wisdom; for the wisdom of the world is foolishness with God, 1Cor 3:18-20. None should glory in man as his teacher; God gives his followers every good, both for time and eternity, 1Cor 3:21-23.

Verse 1

I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual - This is a continuation of the preceding discourse. See the notes on 1Cor 2:14, 1Cor 2:15 (note), and 1Cor 2:16 (note).

But as unto carnal - Σαρκικοις, Persons under the influence of fleshly appetites; coveting and living for the things of this life.

Babes in Christ - Just beginning to acquire some notion of the Christian religion, hut as yet very incapable of judging what is most suitable to yourselves, and consequently utterly unqualified to discern between one teacher and another; so that your making the distinctions which you do make, so far from being a proof of mature judgment, is on the contrary a proof that you have no right judgment at all; and this springs from your want of knowledge in Divine things.