THE TEXT
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,
3 for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
4 For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. In distinguishing the mature from infants, Paul intimates that it IS NOT what they “know”
that is different between them but rather that the mature use and apply what they know in
regards to the gospel. One could say the difference is between gospel behavior over and against mere gospel knowledge. Think about what you know about the gospel – please write down some of the ways and areas you know your behavior needs to be more in line with your knowledge:
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2. Look over your list again. What is stopping you from living out a lifestyle that looks more
gospel-based? What are some the roadblocks, hurdles, and idols in the way? In short, can you discern the sin behind your sin?
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3. Review both of your lists. Take these things before the Lord in prayer and create some
“action steps” towards real change! Write down some of your plan below and share it with
someone who will help hold you accountable…
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4. Galatians 5:13-26 has been called a “kindred text” to 1 Corinthians 2:10-3:4. Look it over,
draw some comparisons and write down some of the connections (and their importance) below.
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REFLECTION
Reflect and comment on this quote by Gordon Fee in regards to 1 Corinthians 3:3:
“Those who do not have the Spirit are ‘mere humans’; thus they consider the cross folly. At the same time their behavior stems from a merely human, thoroughly self-centered point of view. The Corinthians have the Spirit, but are behaving precisely like people who do not …. What is intolerable is to have received the Spirit … and to continue to live as though one were nothing more [than a ‘mere human’].”
BONUS QUESTION
Within these four verses lay both hope and a warning. What is the “hope” and what is the
“warning”?
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