Babes in Christ, still carnal
Again, when he writes to the believers at Corinth, to those who were sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1 Corinthians 1:2, he says: Brothers, I could not speak to you as to spiritual people, but as to carnal people, as to babes in Christ. You are still carnal. For while there is envying and strife among you, are you not carnal? 1 Corinthians 3:1, 3. Here the apostle speaks to people who were unquestionably believers. In the same breath he calls them his brothers in Christ, even while they were still, in some measure, carnal. He affirms that there was envying, an evil temper, causing strife among them, and yet he does not give the least hint that they had lost their faith. No. He plainly declares that they had not, for then they would not have been babes in Christ. And, what is most remarkable of all, he speaks of being carnal, and of being babes in Christ, as one and the same thing. He plainly shows that every believer is, in some degree, carnal, while he is only a babe in Christ.
1771 text
2. Again. When he writes to the believers at Corinth, to those who were sanctified in Christ Jesus, 1 Cor. i. 2. he says, I brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ――Ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife, are ye not carnal? ch. iii. ver. 1, 3. Now here the apostle speaks unto those who were unquestionably believers, whom in the same breath he stiles his brethren in Christ, as being still in a measure carnal. He affirms, there was envying (an evil temper) occasioning strife among them, and yet does not give the least intimation, that they had lost their faith. Nay, he manifestly declares, they had not; for then they would not have been babes in Christ. And (what is most remarkable of all) he speaks of being carnal and babes in Christ, as one and the same thing: plainly shewing that every believer (is in a degree) carnal, while he is only a babe in Christ.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 13 in the 1771 Works. Second Corinthians 5:17.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.