Perpetual Spiritual Babes

November 2nd, 2026
by Lance Waldie

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual men, but as to men of flesh, as to infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able...

In 3:1 Paul begins a new comparison, here talking about the “spiritual” (pneumatikos) man as opposed to the “natural” (psuchikos) man in 2:14—the one devoid of the Spirit (i.e., unbeliever). The “spiritual” in this context is set in contrast to the “fleshly” (sarkikos) worldly, immature “infants in Christ.” Though all are sarkinos—fallen, fleshly men in the likeness of Adam and in need of a Savior, not all are destined to remain in such a state. Whereas psuchikos refers to unbelievers rejecting the things of the Spirit of God and consider such things foolishness, who are not able to know the things of God (2:14), the sarkikos (immature believers) do understand the things of the Spirit of God; they are Christians. Though they are pneumatikos—spiritual in their position in Christ as Christians, practically speaking, they are sarkikos—immature in their knowledge of Christ and behavior as followers of Christ.

Notably, Paul has switched from saying “we” in the previous context of chapter two, where he lumped himself in with the Corinthians, to saying, “but as for me,” or “but I” (3:1), so as to separate himself from them and their childish (sarkikos) behavior. Of course being an “infant in Christ” at the outset of one’s conversion is normal. But sine Paul claims that the Corinthians are still not ready for solid food in v. 2, the term “infant” becomes derogatory in this context.

In short, Paul was a maturing Christian, but the Corinthians were not. In fact, their growth was stunted, evidenced by their infantile divisions (cf. 1:10ff.). Like a calculus teacher attempting to teach advanced math to kindergartners, Paul was exasperated. As such, he “could not speak” to them as spiritual people, as mature Christians. Since their minds were set on the fleshly things like worldly wisdom and philosophies, being divided over men’s teaching styles, Paul was restricted from teaching them the deeper spiritual truths they desperately needed.

Staying on the infant analogy in v. 2, Paul said that he gave the Corinthians “milk to drink, not solid food.” Of course “milk” is the diet of an infant, for infants cannot tolerate solid food. Spiritually speaking, the “milk” represents the simple gospel. The Corinthians understood that; it was the “solid food” they could not tolerate. Solid food represents the ongoing growth in what the cross of Christ actually means. It is far more than a historical event to be recognized; it is the wisdom of God—the “mystery” once hidden but now revealed. As solid food increases a child’s growth, the solid food of growing in the knowledge and wisdom of God is essential for spiritual growth. The Corinthians apparently did not have the teeth to chew such food, as it were. Paul thus berated them and called them “fleshly” (sarkikos) in v. 3. Their conversion to Christ made them spiritual, yes, but their worldly, un-Christian behavior revealed their spiritual immaturity.

Food For Thought
What a shame it is that some Christians fail to mature beyond spiritual childhood. As a result, spiritually mature teachers and preachers are left with the same problem Paul had with the Corinthians: they are unable to speak to audiences as mature spiritual men and women. Many have attended church all their lives yet have little to no knowledge of Scripture. They came to Christ but have remained spiritual infants for years. How do we know? By the way they act, what they say, and what they don’t say. Some cannot share the gospel, and many who do can only do so with the most basic of explanations. Why? They don’t read, pray, or worship. Do not be content to be a spiritual infant; strive for maturity. Open the Bible and allow God to mature you through a steady diet of Scripture. Your thinking and actions will be transformed.