Why did Paul say he had to give the Corinthians 'milk' instead of solid food?
1 Corinthians 3:1 - 4
ESV - 1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.
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Asked October 09 2015
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Valentino Orhaitil
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Singapore Moses
The Bible is both "milk" and "meat." For beginners it is milk, and for the grown-ups and the mature it is meat (Heb 5:12-14). Chewing of meat takes longer time than drinking milk. As we grow in our Christian life, we must allot more and more time for Bible meditation. We will come across several Bible difficulties and tough questions. Bible Dictionaries explain the cultural background against which each book of the Bible was written. Doctrinal perspective: The term "Babes in Christ" is used to describe the beginning stage of Christian living and that of living more in the natural than in the spiritual life. MILK is a figurative statement of teaching the first principles of Christianity and the more simple truths of the faith (Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1). Where as MEAT is figurative of stronger gospel truths and doctrines for those who advance as Christians (Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1). In Rom. 7:14, we read about the natural man acting in contrast to the spiritual man--living in the babyhood of Christian faith. 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).
Shirley H.
Think of a newborn baby. That baby cannot eat the food that most people eat. Even young children learn to graduate to a diet that adults eat. It is like that with new Christians. They are growing in God's word. They are not ready for the really deep concepts of the faith. They will continue to grow and understand in their journey as they study and pray and are enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
Leslie Coutinho
1 Corinthians 3:1-3: And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as babes in Christ. The church of Corinth, despite being born again in Christ (Acts 18:8) and receiving the Word of God, many went astray, as the Word that was received fell on stony ground. The carnal behavior of some did not change after the Word, which is the seed that fell on the ground, for their behavior was as babes in Christ and did not bear fruit. (Mat 13:20-22) For anyone who partakes only of milk as babes and not solid food is unskilled in the Word of righteousness, for he is still a babe. The Word that falls on the good ground is to the one who discerns between good and evil (Heb 5:12-14) and bears fruit. He that receives the seed among the thorns becomes unfruitful, for the Lord taketh the wise in their own craftiness (1 Cor 3:19), for yet being carnal, who envy, strife, and create divisions (1 Cor 3:3), having a form of outwardly godly behavior and not glorifying the Lord but themselves. (2 Tim 3:2) If we do not discern and exercise to correct ourselves, we shall lose our salvation and drift away from our Savior. Put on, therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long-suffering. (Col 3:12-13) Anyone that speaks should be led by the oracles of God to glorify our Lord Jesus. (1 Peter 4:11) For every word that you speak be always with grace, seasoned with salt that you may know how ye ought to answer every man. (Col 4:6) For in many things we offend all, If any man offends not in word, the same is perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2) As a born-again child of God, you are the salt of the earth, let not savor be lost for it may be cast out to be trodden under the foot of men. (Mat 5:13) Proverbs 13:3: He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
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