So, brothers and sisters, I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but instead as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready, for you are still influenced by the flesh. For since there is still jealousy and dissension among you, are you not influenced by the flesh and behaving like unregenerate people? For whenever someone says, “I am with Paul,” or “I am with Apollos,” are you not merely human?
1 Corinthians 3:1-4 NET
The church at Corinth had several problems Paul addressed in his letters. And one was that they were deeply divided. Some within the church called themselves followers of Paul, others followed Apollos, and others followed Peter (1 Cor. 1:12).
The problem here is not that different people within the body favored one teacher over another. We all learn in different ways, and we will naturally be attracted to the one who best appeals to our learning style. And we will also be more attracted to those we believe are teaching the truth.
The problem at Corinth was that it had become more than a personal preference. The church had become divided, resulting in jealousy and dissension between members. They were fighting among themselves over who had the superior teacher. Each one was convinced they had the better teacher and, by inference, that they were superior to those who followed other teachers.
Immature Babies in Christ
Paul strongly condemned this division between them. He called them immature babies in Christ. And, because of their immaturity, he could not teach them the deeper truths of the faith. They were stuck drinking milk rather than eating meat.
Unfortunately, the problem Paul faced with the Corinthian church is widespread today. There are some following specific teachers. However, the divisions often follow denominational lines like Roman Catholic/Orthodox/Protestant or theological frameworks like Calvinist/Arminian.
The problem is not that we join with those we believe are most closely aligned with the teachings of Scripture. It is when we look down on those from other groups, seeing them as somehow inferior. And that, according to Paul, is a sign of spiritual immaturity.
Study God’s word, seeking the truth it contains. Join with others who are like-minded. But also search the Scripture together with believers holding different views. And do so in love, embracing them as brothers and sisters in Christ. Being able to do that is a sign of spiritual maturity.
