1 Corinthians 3 & 4

The Effects of Immaturity (ch. 3)

1. Immaturity means that we don’t perceive what we should perceive (3:1-4)

the Corinthians are marked by division, yet they fail to see that behavior as carnal or fleshly (v. 3-4)

the contrast is between spiritual and carnal—they are carnal, and as Paul says, “behaving like men”

what believer, indwelt by the spirit, under the sanctifying instruction from the Word of God, can be called carnal without a clear negative attachment?

Here’s the problem…that carnality limits their ability to see and understand things as God does

1 Corinthians 2:13–14 NKJV

These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

liken to the perspective in the valley, veiled by trees (you can’t see the forest for the trees), hills, shrouded by fog

versus the view from the top of the rise…expansive and clear, allowing you a perspective of the area that was not available before.

“further up and further in”

likewise, spiritual immaturity prevents us from seeing and discerning between good and evil

Hebrews 5:12–14 NKJV

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. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.

2. Immaturity means that we don’t understand what we should know (v. 4-17)

they have fundamentally mis-ordered their understanding of Apollos and Paul’s significance

don’t misunderstand...

Paul-Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ, gifted, called, founder of this church- worthy of honor

Apollos-a gifted, articulate and faithful preacher of the true gospel-worthy of honor

BUT-both of these are merely men, ministers of the Lord.

Paul actually uses the word diakonos (v. 5) which means “servant” to underline the humble nature of their human contribution

Agricultural metaphor-planted, watered -Paul’s role in founding the church, Apollos in the nourishing work of the ministry (V. 6)

BUT-God gave the increase

planting and watering are good, but they are useless without growth

the animating activity belongs to God, and to Him alone

Building metaphor-God’s building (v.9-16)

worthiness or unworthy labors of God’s workers (v.12-15)

It is God who is the life giver, Christ who is the foundation of the church, and his servants or ministers do so by His will through His empowering. Only someone immature could fail to understand the insignificance of these human teachers in comparison to their eternal Lord.

Application: Immaturity blinds us to what we should perceive, and it prevents us from knowing what we should understand. It leaves us susceptible to the desires of our sinful hearts and to the lies of the world. Therefore, grow in the wisdom of God to maturity, and do not be deceived by human “wisdom”. (v. 18-23)

-immaturity makes us susceptible to erroneous thinking and divisive doctrine

Ephesians 4:11–16 NKJV

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ—from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Ephesians4:11-16

The Deception of False Piety (ch. 4)

Paul defends his ministry (v. 1-5)

A Foolish Spiritual Pride

some of the Corinthian believers are “puffed up” (v. 6, 18, 5:2)

in their relation to their favorite teacher

in acting as though they have merited something to be proud of

Paul points to the reality that rebukes their folly—they have received these things (v. 7)

A False Sense of Spirituality

the Corinthians are not hungry for the things of God—they think they are full! (v. 8)

Paul uses brutal irony and sarcasm to deride the prideful satisfaction the Corinthians have in their spiritual maturity.

the contrast:

Matthew 5:6 NKJV

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled.

compare the comfort and satisfaction of the Corinthians in their position to the plight of the Apostles (v. 9-13)

To what end? That they might learn to humbly follow Paul’s example. (v. 14-18)

know what we ought to know, can’t see what we should see.