Author: iolaHC

I am an Artwork in progress

Destruction of the Flesh

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1Corinthians 5:1-5 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father’s wife. And you are puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he that has done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that has so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 

‘Fornication’ [Greek: porneia] all kinds of impurity; perversion and immorality.

‘Father’s wife’ – It seems from 2Corinthians 7:12 that the father was alive, for it refers to the one “that suffered wrong” as well as the one who had “done the wrong.”

‘Puffed up’ [Greek: phusioo] You are puffed up over your gifts and powers and so full of strife and contention related to your parties and favourite teachers, you have neglected the discipline of the congregation. Had you considered the greatness of the crime you would have mourned and acted to put away the fornicator.

‘Taken away’ [Greek: airo] to put away or excommunicate the fornicator from the congregation (1Cor. 5:2, 13).

‘In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ Five points in judging the fornicator: By the authority of Jesus Christ; gather in a congregational group; agree with my spirit; use the power of Jesus Christ and deliver him to satan (1Cor. 5:4-5).

‘For the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.’ The purpose of delivering him to satan was to destroy the flesh. This required members to withdraw all fellowship and spiritual influence from him, and to quit praying for him, so as to permit satan to afflict his body thus perhaps bringing him to repentance, that his spirit might be saved in the end. This was effective, for in the second letter Paul wrote the congregation to forgive him lest he should be swallowed up in excessive sorrow (2Cor. 2:6-7). Affliction of the body by satan (Job 2:7; John 10:10; Acts 10:38) is a natural consequence for sin and will follow no matter what we do, in praying this prayer, however, consequences for the mentioned sin (in this case fornication) will come sooner and may lead to repentance for the individual.

‘Destruction’ [Greek: olethros] ruin, destruction, plague, pest (1Cor. 5:5; 1Thess. 5:3; 2Thess. 1:9; 1Tim. 6:9). The destruction was whatever consequence (Isa. 26:9-10) was capable of bringing him to repentance (2Cor. 2:7).

‘That the spirit may be saved’ – All the physical affliction that could be brought on a man could not save his spirit unless it brought him to repentance. It was not, therefore, physical trouble that saved the soul, but repentance brought about by affliction. ‘Day of the Lord Jesus’ – In the day when Christ comes to receive saints unto Himself (1Cor. 1:8; 5:5; 2Cor. 1:14; Php. 1:6, 10; 2:16).

The Kingdom of God

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1Corinthians 4:17-21 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church. Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. What will you? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness? 

‘Timotheus’ this is Timothy (2Cor. 1:1; 1Tim. 1:2, 18; 6:20; 2Tim. 1:2; Phm. 1:1; Heb. 13:23). Converted by Paul on his first trip when he was at Lystra and Derbe (Acts 14:6-7 with 1Tim. 1:2). Part Jew and Greek, uncircumcised, but a good Christian (Acts 16:1-3). A miracle worker like Paul (1Cor. 16:10). Paul’s companion from Acts 16 (Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; Php. 2:19). It is believed by some that he was Paul’s scribe in writing Hebrews and Galatians. He had the gifts of the Spirit (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). He was a great student of Scripture (2Tim. 1:5; 2:15; 3:15). ‘Son, and faithful in the Lord’ – he was a son in the faith (Acts 16:1).

‘Puffed up, as though I would not come to you.’ Some of their teachers were puffed up and haughty supposing that Paul would not visit Corinth. He said to them that he would to them shortly, not knowing the speech of them that was puffed up, but the power, for the kingdom of God that he demonstrated, was not in word only, but in power. He would prove his calling by a manifestation of power when he got there. He asked them whether he should come with a rod to correct them, or in love, and in a spirit of meekness?

‘Power’ [Greek: dunamis] inherit power; the power of reproducing itself, like a dynamo.

‘Kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.’ The sovereignty of God over the universe and includes the kingdom of heaven. It is moral and universal and has existed from the beginning and will know no end. The Kingdom of God existed even before the creation of the Earth. The angels and other spirit beings were in this kingdom when the Earth was created (Job 38:4-7). The Kingdom of Heaven could not have existed then, for there was no Earth for the kingdom from the heavens to rule (Matt. 3:2; 4:17; 5:3, 10, 19, 20; 7:21; 8:11; 10:7; 11:11-12; 13:11, 24, 31, 33, 44, 45, 47, 52; 16:19; 18:1, 3, 4, 23; 19:12, 14, 23; 20:1; 22:2; 23:13-14; 25:1). It is noticeable that all these references are found in Matthew. The reason for this fact is that this gospel presents Christ as Jehovah’s King. The word Heaven in all the above passages is in the plural, and the phrase Kingdom of Heaven literally means the kingdom from the heavens. It is a dispensational term and refers to the Messiah’s kingdom on the Earth. It is not from or out of this world. The sovereignty comes from Heaven, because the King is from there (John 18:36). It was to this end He was born, and this was the first subject of His ministry (Matt. 3:2; 4:17). The usage of the two terms in parallel passages may be explained as follows: The Kingdom of Heaven is a lesser term than the Kingdom of God. It is the earthly sphere of the universal Kingdom of God, and in this respect the terms have almost all things in common. Therefore, in an earthly sense, everything that is or could be spoken of the Kingdom of Heaven could be spoken also of the Kingdom of God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is the earthly sphere of the Kingdom of God. On the other hand, there are some statements made of the Kingdom of God in this age that could not possibly be spoken of the Kingdom of Heaven. When the two terms are used in parallel passages they refer to this age only, for the Kingdom of Heaven during this age has been changed from a literal kingdom to the sphere of profession, because of the rejection of the King who will be the earthly King of the Kingdom of Heaven when it is finally set up in the next age.

Through the Gospel

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1Corinthians 4:11-16 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; And labour, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the off scouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel. Wherefore I beseech you, be you followers of me. 

‘Naked’ [Greek: gumneteuo] scantily clothed.

‘Have no certain dwelling-place’ [Greek: astateo] to be a wanderer. They were mere itinerant preachers, not knowing where they would live.

‘Working with our own hands’ In Acts 18:3 we read that Paul was a tentmaker by trade. Among Jews, the boys were all compelled to learn trades. It was considered disreputable not to be acquainted with some branch of handicraft. Practical knowledge of trade was regarded as an asset of personal independence. The Rabbis said, “Whosoever does not teach his son a trade is as if he brought him up to be a robber.” Tentmakers wove the black cloth of goat or camel’s hair of which tents were made. Paul supported himself in certain places (4:12; Acts 20:34; 1Thess. 2:9; 2Thess. 3:8), and for reasons given in 2Corinthians 11:9-12. This was not the best policy in some places, as Paul later learned, for it did not properly train new converts to support the work (2Cor. 12:13; cp. Gal. 6:6).

‘Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it’ – only the grace of God can enable people to volunteer to suffer like this (1Cor. 4:12-13). The natural man avenges and repays all indignities against him, but Christians are not to retaliate (Rom. 12:17-21; Matt. 5:38-48).

‘Defamed’ [Greek: blasphemeo] blasphemed. ‘Filth’ [Greek: perikatharma] sweeping. The allusion here is to the wretched victims who were judged to be fit for nothing but to be offered as expiatory victims to infernal gods, for the safety of others.

‘I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.’ Paul did not write these things to find fault with them for not providing for him for the necessities of life, but to warn them not to be carried away by every pretender to apostleship and not to neglect those who are God-trusted and who have brought them the message of salvation (4:14-17).

‘Though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.’ Though you have many who offer their services as your instructors, you have only one by whom you were converted and who has a parental feeling for you.

‘Followers’ [Greek: mimetes] imitators. Follow or imitate me as I imitate Christ (4:16; 11:1; Eph. 5:1; 1Thess. 1:6; 2:14; Heb. 6:12; 1Pet. 2:21; 3:13).

For Christ’s Sake

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1Corinthians 4:6-10 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for one against another. For who make thee to differ from another? and what has thou that thou did not receive? now if thou did receive it, why do thou glory, as if thou had not received it? Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you. For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honourable, but we are despised.

‘That you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written.’ Paul has used his own and Apollos’ name in his arguments against their divisions because he would spare the name of those who are guilty of making division.

‘Puffed up’ [Greek: phusioo] – they were puffed up and haughty, arrogant and not genuine in their faith and conduct (4:6, 18-19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4).

‘Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.’ This is the 5th New Testament prophecy in 1Corinthians and it is unfulfilled. Paul in this verse uses irony. You are full -you are rich – you have reigned as kings without us or without any want or need of us. I would to God you did reign as kings, and then we also would be reigning with you. This last statement refers to the Millennial and eternal reign when all saints will have some part in reigning with Jesus Christ (2Tim. 2:12; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:4-6; 22:4-5; Dan. 7:18, 27).

‘Has set forth us the apostles last as it were appointed to death.’ The reference here seems to be that of gladiators in the arena. In the morning those that fought with beasts were given armour with which to protect themselves from wild beasts; but in the afternoon spectacles, the gladiators were brought in naked and without anything to defend themselves from the sword of the assailant. If any escaped from this they were kept for slaughter on another day. These were really called men “appointed to death.” They were the last to make an appearance in the theatre for that day, so were called “the last.” Paul compares the sufferings of the apostles to these last gladiators. He may also refer to the apostles succeeding the prophets in sufferings.

‘Spectacle’ [Greek: theatron] theatre (Acts 19:29, 31). They were exhibited as a spectacle to the world of people and to angels. They demonstrate to people and angels the sufferings of Christ.

‘Fools’ [Greek: moros] as in 1Corinthians 1:25, 27. This refers to the hisses, hooting, mockery, and other insults of the spectators in the arena. ‘But we are despised’ 1Corinthians 4:10 is irony, for the apostles were neither fools, nor weak, nor contemptible.

He that Judges

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1Corinthians 4:1-5 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. 

‘Stewards of the mysteries of God’ – administrators of gospel truths of God.

‘Mystery’ [Greek: musterion] something previously hidden, but now fully revealed. In the New Testament it always means any doctrine that has not, in former times, been made fully known to people. It is found 27 times in the New Testament and not once in the Old Testament. Eighteen mysteries of are noted in Scripture: The kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of God (Matt. 13:11; Mark 4:11; Luke 8:10); Israel’s blindness (Rom. 11:25); salvation in Christ (Rom. 16:25); the wisdom of God (1Cor. 2:7); the doctrines of God (1Cor. 4:1; Col. 2:2; 1Tim. 3:16); the gospel (Eph. 6:19); gift of knowledge (1Cor. 13:2); speaking in tongues (1Cor. 14:2); the rapture of Christians (1Cor. 15:23, 51-58; John 14:1-3; 1Thess. 4:13-16); God’s will (Eph. 1:9); the body of Christ (Eph. 3:1-9; 5:32); Christ in people (Col. 1:26-27); doctrines of Christ (Col. 4:3); the spirit of lawlessness (2Thess. 2:7); the faith of the gospel (1Tim. 3:9); the seven candlesticks (Rev. 1:20); God’s delay in casting out of satan (Rev. 10:7; 12:7-17) and mystery Babylon (Rev. 17:5, 7).

‘Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.’ This is the 4th New Testament prophecy in 1Corinthians and is unfulfilled. The Lord is judge of all things and will render to every man according to his deeds (4:4-5).

‘Until the Lord come’ – this is the time of the judgment of believers. The coming here refers to the rapture, not the second coming (John 14:1-3; 1Cor. 15:23, 51-58; 1Thess. 4:13-16; Php. 3:20-21).

‘Who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.’ Three things God will do: Bring hidden things to light (3:13); reveal secrets of people (Rom. 2:16) and reward each man accordingly (3:11-15; 2Cor. 5:10; Matt. 16:27; Rev. 22:12).

The Wise

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1Corinthians 3:18-23 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He takes the wise in their own craftiness. And again, The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; And you are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s. 

‘If any man among you seems to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.’ This perhaps refers to some man in the congregation who wished to have pre-eminence.

‘He takes the wise in their own craftiness’ – Quoted from Job 5:13. The wisdom of the world is a craft, or subtle trade, which people carry on with others to benefit themselves.

‘The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.’ Quoted from Psalm 94:11. The wise of the world is always full of schemes and plans for earthly gain, all of which are empty and vain.

Eight characteristics of false wisdom: Bitter envying and strife in the heart (Jas. 3:14, 16). Glory in profession (Jas. 3:14). Earthly, having this life only in view and sensual, living only to satisfy the animal appetites. Devilish, inspired by demons (Jas. 3:15). Confusion and every evil work (Jas. 3:16).

‘Let no man glory in men’ – let no Christian join any human party or take up the cause of any man who divides the body of Christ (Rom. 16:17). Be alert for those who cause divisions and have no religious fellowship with them that the flock may be protected (Php. 3:17).

‘All are yours’ – the idea is that God will cause all things to work together for good to those who love Him, whether they be the world system, life or death, providence now and hereafter, or any other things (Rom. 8:28). While all things are working, God’s providence is working on behalf of those who love God and who walk obediently according to His purpose.

The Temple of God

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1Corinthians 3:16-17 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. 

‘Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?’ “Know you not” contains a gentle reproof and is used 14 times in the New Testament (3:16; 5:6; 6:3, 9, 15, 16, 19; 9:24; Mark 4:13; Rom. 6:3, 16; 7:1; Jas. 4:4; cp. 2Sam. 3:38; 2Chron. 32:13; Ezek. 17:12).

‘You are the temple of God.’ Believers are the temple of God for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The manner in which the Spirit dwells in believers is always in union, never through bodily entrance. The so-called doctrine of interpenetration, that is, persons entering physical into each other, is false. The Bible does speak of the Corinthians and Philippians being in Paul’s heart (2Cor. 7:3; Php. 1:7); God being in Christ (2Cor. 5:19); Christ being in God (John 14:20); God and Christ being in each other (John 14:10-11); men being in both the Father and the Son (1Jn. 2:24); men being in Christ (2Cor. 5:17); men and the Spirit being in each other (Rom. 8:9); Christ being in men (Col. 1:27; Rom. 8:10); man and Christ being in each other (John 14:20); all creation being in God (Acts 17:28); and satan entering into men (Luke 22:3; John 13:27). However, these passages refer to being in union with, being consecrated to the same end – one in mind, purpose, and life. They do not teach physical entrance of one being into another. It may be best understood by a man and woman becoming one in life together, being in each other’s plans, life, etc.

‘Defile’ [Greek: phtheiro] to corrupt, spoil, ruin, waste, destroy. This (3:17) is a solemn warning against sexual sin, alcoholic drinks, tobacco, narcotics, etc. which destroy the body.

‘Him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.’ This is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 1Corinthians and is unfulfilled until the judgment.

‘Temple of God’ – This refers to the body of man (1Cor. 6:19-20; Rom. 12:1; 2Cor. 7:1).

According to the Grace of God

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1Corinthians 3:10-15 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. 

‘Master-builder’ [Greek: architekton] architect. The plan belonged to God, but the execution of the plan was entrusted to Paul and the other apostles who were commissioned to write the Word of God so that we in this era can live according to it.

‘But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.’ Let every man be careful to teach the same doctrines that Paul has preached and ask no practice contrary to them.

‘For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.’ Christ, not Peter, is the only foundation of His body upon which people must build (Eph. 2:19-22).

‘Gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble …’ This is the 2nd New Testament prophecy in 1Corinthians and is unfulfilled. Works are compared to these materials – some become more pure in the fire and others are completely burned up by fire. Fire will try every man’s works. If his are gold, silver, and precious stones they will abide the fire and he will receive a reward for his works. If they are wood, hay, and stubble his works will be burned up, yet he himself will be saved from loss of his soul (3:12-15).

The judgment of believers’ works will consist of the following: Subjects: believers (Rom. 14:1-23; 2Cor. 5:10; Gal. 6:8; Eph. 6:8; Col. 3:24). Time: between the rapture and the second coming (Luke 14:14). Place: in heaven (9:24-27; Rom. 14:10; 2Cor. 5:10). Basis: works, both good and bad (3:11-15; 2Cor. 5:10; Rom. 2:6; 14:1-23; Col. 3:1-25; Matt. 16:27; 2Tim. 4:14). Result: reward or loss of reward, but never the loss of one’s soul for any wrongdoings properly confessed and forgiven (3:11-15). This judgment deals with the believer as a servant (Rom. 14:1-23; 2Cor. 5:10, 11).

Believers will be judged concerning: Doctrines (Rom. 2:14-16; 14:1-23); conduct to others (Matt. 18:1-35; Rom. 14:1-23); carnal traits (Col. 3:1-25; Rom. 1-2; 8:1-13; 14:1-23); words (Matt. 12:32-37; Rom. 14:1-23); things that affect others: slander, quarrels, idle words, foolishness (folly), dishonesty, broken promises, wrong dealings, etc. (Rom. 1:29-32; 12:1-21; 14:1-23; 1Cor. 6:9-11; Gal. 5:19-21; Col. 3:1-25; Eph. 4:1-32; 5:1-33); things that affect themselves: neglected opportunities, talents wasted, loose living, lack of spirituality, etc. (Rom. 2:14-16; Heb. 2:1-4; Gal. 5:1-26; 6:1-10; Col. 3:1-25); things that affect God: refusal to walk in the light, disobedience, rejection, failure to cooperate and yield to the Spirit, etc. (Rom. 12:1-21; 1Cor. 12:1-31; Eph. 4:1-32; 5:1-33). ‘He shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.’ A man will suffer loss if his works are burned (3:15), or not suffer loss if they are not burned (3:14). He himself will be saved, if he is in Christ, regardless of what happens to his works (3:13-15).

Receive His Own Reward

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1Corinthians 3:4-9 For while one said, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal? Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that waters; but God that give the increase. Now he that plants and he that waters are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building. 

‘I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos.’ Four main parties in Corinth: Paulians – followers of Paul, because he founded the congregation (Acts 18:1-7), and because he was a special apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13). Apollonians – followers of Apollos, because of his eloquence (Acts 18:24-19:1). Cephians – followers of Peter, because he was the apostle to the Jews (Gal. 2:7-10). Christians – followers of Christ, because they would have nothing to do with parties that followed people (1Cor. 1:12)

‘God that give the increase’ – regardless of our talents and labours they will not be fruitful unless God gives the increase by His blessing. Three times here it is stated that God gives the increase (3:5, 6, 7).

‘One’ – both Paul and Apollos were the same in doctrine, labour, design, spirit, and service. Both were consecrated to the same end in life and had no part in fostering party spirits in Corinth.

‘According to his own labour’ – all will be rewarded according to their works (3:8-15; 2Cor. 5:10; Matt. 16:27; Rom. 14:10-11). Rewards are not given according to success of labour, but according to motive and faithfulness in service (Matt. 6:2, 5, 16).

‘We are labourers together with God: you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building.’ Ministers are co-labourers of God. Believers are God’s husbandry or farm. They are His building (Eph. 2:19-22).

Jesus Christ is the true foundation (1Cor. 3:11). The apostles and prophets have also been made part of the foundation of Christianity. Others are built into the structure of the first congregation at Jerusalem. All of them are the temple of God and a habitation of God through the Holy Spirit.

Christians can backslide, tearing down the foundation of repentance that is already laid. Should they ever again be admitted into Christ, they will have to build again the foundation of repentance and do their first works again (Heb. 2:1-4; 6:1-2; Rev. 2:5).

You Are Yet Carnal

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1Corinthians 3:1-3 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able. For you are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men? 

‘Carnal’ [Greek: sarkinos] fleshly; natural; human (3:1-4; 9:11; 2Cor. 10:4; Rom. 7:14; 15:27; Heb. 7:16). Here it is 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 (3:3-4). It is perfectly natural and sinless carnality to have a preference in teachers; 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).

‘Babes in Christ’ – this term is used to describe the beginning stage of Christian living and that of living more in the natural than in the spiritual life.

‘Milk’ – a figurative statement of teaching the first principles of Christianity and the more simple truths of the faith (Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1).

‘Meat’ – this is figurative of stronger gospel truths and doctrines for those who advance as Christians (Heb. 5:11-14; 6:1).

‘Envying, and strife, and divisions’ – three sources of sin: Thoughts: envying, state of the soul; words: strife, contention in words and deeds: divisions, sin in conduct. The envying led to strife and evil speaking, and that led to divisions and fixed parties.

Envyings [Greek: phthonoi] Pain, ill will, and jealousy at the good fortune or blessings of another; the most base of all degrading and disgraceful passions (Gal. 5:21; Matt. 27:18; Mark 15:10; Rom. 1:29; Php. 1:15; 1Tim. 6:4; Tit. 3:3; Jas. 4:5; 1Pet. 2:1).

Strife [Greek: eritheia] Disputations; jangling; strife about words; angry contentions; contest for superiority or advantage; strenuous endeavour to equal or payback in kind the wrongs were done to one (Gal. 5:20; Rom. 2:8; 2Cor. 12:20; Php. 1:16; 2:3; Jas. 3:14, 16).

Seditions [Greek: dichostasia] Popular disorder; causing divisions; stirring up strife in religion, government, home, or any other place. (Gal. 5:20 Rom. 16:17; 1Cor. 3:3).