Two reason the church was carnal 1 Corinthians 3:1-9a

Introduction

Last week we saw 2 of the three types of people, The spiritual man (those who are saved and living a spirit filled life.) and the natural man (the unsaved man who is still in his natural state.) This week Paul is going to introduce us to the carnal man, which is a Christian who is backslidden, living for the world and not for God.

Paul is going to explain to the church here why they are carnal and remind them that its all about Christ, we are just the instrument God is using to do his work in the church age.

Their appetite was weak vs. 1-3a

Remember the people at Corinth were all about wisdom and it seems almost as though they were upset with Paul for not preaching deep enough.

In verse 1 and 2 Paul reminds them why he couldn’t preach deep

He couldn’t speak to them as they were spiritual, but had to preach to them as carnal, and really as babes in Christ

The church at Corinth lacked Spiritual insight, just like many new believers, but this church had been established for at least 5 years.

Nicodemus- John 3:4 “4 Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?”

Many new disciples of Jesus - John 6:60 “60 Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying; who can hear it?”

Even Jesus’ closest disciples at times - John 21:4 “4 But when the morning was now come, Jesus stood on the shore: but the disciples knew not that it was Jesus.”

The church at Corinth was full of immature Christian, that should have been spiritual, but they were carnal.

1 Corinthians 14:20 “20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”

Paul warned the church at Ephesus as well - Ephesians 4:14 “14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

They believed Paul was to shallow, when in reality they weren’t ready for the deep things of God because of their carnality

When we get saved we are babes in Christ, but through sanctification we should mature into spirit filled Christians.

In verse 2 Paul uses an illustration to help them see their carnality

I have fed you with milk and not with meat

Hebrews 5:12–14 - Turn

The writer of Hebrews rebukes the audience for not progressing beyond basic doctrine (milk) to deeper spiritual truths (meat), which require discernment.

The writer of Hebrews wanted to teach his readers about the present heavenly priesthood of Jesus, but his readers were so immature he couldn’t do it.

Hebrews 6:1-4

1 Peter 2:2 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

The word of God is our spiritual food

Milk- 1 Peter 2:2 “2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:”

Bread- Matthew 4:4 “4 But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

Meat - Hebrews 5:11-14.

Honey Psalm 119:103 “103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! Yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

Just as we need a balanced diet in our physical body, we need a balanced diet in our spiritual diet

If we were to take my son and give him a big steak right after he was born, it wouldn’t do him much good, because he couldn’t eat it even if he wanted too, he needed milk more than he needed meat, and as he grows his need for milk will diminish and he will need meat. The same thing should be true in our Christian life.

Wiersbe said it this way “It is not difficult to determine a believer’s spiritual maturity, or immaturity if you discover what kind of “diet” he enjoys…He knows the facts about our Lord’s life and ministry on earth, but not His present ministry in heaven. He lives on “Bible stories” and not Bible doctrines.”

In the first part of verse 3 Paul tells them one more time why their appetite is weak.

For ye are yet carnal

A mature Christian uses his gifts as tools to build with, while an immature believer uses gifts as toys to play with or trophies to boast about.

There was disunity in the church vs.3b-9a

Paul gives the a three point rebuke to the church at Corinth

There is among you

Envying - Ill will at others, on account of some supposed superiority

strife -  Exertion or contention for superiority; contest of emulation, either by intellectual or physical efforts

divisions - Disunion; discord; variance; difference

Are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

If the church of Corinth was full of envying, strife and division, the answer to Pauls question would be yes they were carnal and yes they walked as the natural man.

They were divided in who their leader was vs. 4

I am of Paul

I am of Apollos

Are ye not carnal?

Again if they were following and fighting over men instead of following God they were no doubt carnal.

Both Paul and Apollos were only God’s mouthpiece, it was God who saved their lives and who gave Paul and Apollos their ability to preach.

Paul uses an agricultural image to explain both Apollos’ and Pauls role in the harvest.

Paul planted the seed

Apollos watered the planted seed

God gave the increase

Its all about God

It wasn’t the one who planted that gave the increase

It wasn’t the one who watered that gave the increase

But God gives the increase

Paul tells them that their should be unity in purpose

The one who plants and the one who waters both have the same purpose and that is to produce fruit.

Paul, Apollos and Peter were not competing with each other, rather they were doing the task assigned to them by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Last part of verse 8

What men may think of our ministry is not important; what God may think is of supreme importance. Our reward must not be the praise of men, but the “Well done!” of the Lord of the harvest.

Pauls final reminder in unity

We are labourers together with God

It is not about the individual, but we are workers in the harvest with God.

Conclusion

Paul’s message to the church at Corinth is just as relevant to us today. He calls out their carnality—not to shame them, but to urge them toward spiritual maturity. Many Christians remain in a state of spiritual infancy, content with the milk of basic doctrine when God desires for them to grow into a deeper understanding of His truth.

We must ask ourselves: Are we growing, or are we stagnant? Are we craving the pure milk of the Word so we may grow, or are we ready to digest the meat of deeper spiritual truths? God’s desire is for us to mature, to move beyond division, envy, and strife, and to unite in purpose as laborers together with Him.

At the end of the day, it’s not about who plants or who waters—it’s about God giving the increase. Our focus should never be on personalities, positions, or divisions but on Christ alone. It is His church, His work, and His glory. May we commit to growing in our faith, working together in unity, and striving for that ultimate reward—not the applause of men, but the “Well done” of our Lord and Savior.