Divisions in the Church

1Cor. 3:1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.

And...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

I(Paul),...

ἐγώ

egō

eg-o'

A primary pronoun of the first person, “I” (only expressed when emphatic): - I, me.

Paul classes envying, strife, and divisions over preachers as carnality (1Cor. 3:3-4). It is perfectly natural and sinless carnality to have preference in preachers; but when it gets to the point of envying, strife, and division it becomes sinful carnality. All carnality is not sinful. It is only natural to have preferences, to eat food, to sleep, and do many other normal things which in their moderation do not break the law of God. They become sinful carnality when carried to the point of breaking the law of God (1Jn. 3:4).

brethren,...

ἀδελφός

adelphos

ad-el-fos'

From the first (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [father]): - brother.

could...

δύναμαι

dunamai

doo'-nam-ahee

Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible: - be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.

not...

οὐ

ou

oo

Also οὐκ ouk ook used before a vowel and οὐχ ouch ookh before an aspirate.

A primary word; the absolutely negative (negation) adverb; no or not: - + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, [can-] not, + nothing, + special, un ([-worthy]), when, + without, + yet but.

speak...

λαλέω

laleō

lal-eh'-o

A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, that is, utter words: - preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter.

unto you...

ὑμῖν

humin

hoo-min'

Irregular dative case of ye yourselves; to (with or by) you: - ye, you, your (-selves).

as...

ὡς

hōs

hoce

Probably adverb of compound from who, which, what; which how, that is, in that manner (very variously used as shown): - about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when ([-soever]), while, X with all speed.

Greek: sarkinos, note see, Rom. 7:14. Here it is the natural man acting in contrast to the spiritual man—living in the babyhood of Christian faith.

unto carnal,...

σαρκικός

sarkikos

sar-kee-kos'

From flesh; pertaining to flesh, that is, (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate: - carnal, fleshly.

even as... see as above.

unto babes...

νήπιος

nēpios

nay'-pee-os

From an obsolete particle νη ne; implying negation and a word; not speaking, that is, an infant (minor); figuratively a simple minded person, an immature Christian: - babe, child (+ -ish).

in...

ἐν

en

en

A primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), that is, a relation of rest (intermediate between to or into and origin); “in”, at, (up-) on, by, etc.: - about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-) by (+ all means), for (. . . sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-) in (-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-) on, [open-] ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, [speedi-] ly, X that, X there (-in, -on), through (-out), (un-) to(-ward), under, when, where (-with), while, with (-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) prep.

Christ...

Χριστός

Christos

khris-tos'

From to smear or rub; anointed, that is, the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus: - Christ.

However, this was not true of all at Corinth. When Paul came and preached Christ to them, they believed. By faith they were justified and granted peace with God (Rom. 5:1-2). No doubt Paul taught them all the blessings that came to them as Christians, what Paul called milk. At that time their way of thinking and living was only beginning to be transformed (Rom. 12:2). They were still greatly influenced by worldly thinking and behavior - they were infants in Christ.

But “the message of the Cross” (1Cor 1:18) concerned more than justification. It also concerned sanctification. It called for a renewal of attitude and action in response to God’s revelation. It called for righteousness in thought and deed (Heb. 5:11-14). And this part of the message of “Christ… crucified” (1Cor. 2:2), this solid food (1Cor. 3:2), the Corinthians had spurned. As a result they were still worldly (1Cor. 3:3). Instead of mature behavior characterized by humility and concern for others - obedience to God - the Corinthians were infantile, self-centered, and therefore divisive (1Cor. 3:4; cf. 1Cor. 1:12). They wanted lives of exaltation (1Cor. 4:8) without lives of humiliation (1Cor. 4:9-13) because they did not understand that “Christ… crucified” was a message concerned not only with justification but also with sanctification (cf. Php. 2:1-8). This misunderstanding was at the root of their disunity (cf. 1Cor. 1:10; 3:4), which error Paul wanted to correct.