Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

DIVISIONS DUE TO CARNALITY

1Co 3:1-10 (6/22/11)

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

THE CORINTHIANS WERE ACTING CARNAL (1Co 3:1-3)

A. Meaning of Carnality

1. [1Co 3:1] - Paul states that he could not speak to the Corinthians as spiritual men, but as men “of flesh.”

2. The word for “flesh” is sark-inos can mean consists of or made of literal flesh (2Co 3:3), or refers to worldly or earthly existence (Heb 7:16). Sark-ikos (not used here), refers to characteristics of fleshly or worldly behavior (1Co 3:1). Sark-inos could be translated “of flesh” while sark-ikos could be translated “fleshly or fleshy” (1Co 3:3) but would not necessarily consist of flesh.

3. “Spiritual” (pneumat-ikos) refers to those whose characteristics are spiritual because they actually are “in the Spirit” (en pneúmati) because they are believers and have the Spirit (pneuma, Rom 8:9).

4. So what Paul was saying was that even that unbelievers were “of flesh” (sark-inos) because they did not have the Spirit. However, though the Corinthians were believers with the Holy Spirit, they were acting “as” (ōs - conj. “like or as”) if they consisted “of flesh,” i.e. acting as though they were unsaved and without the Spirit.

a) Although Corinthian believers were no longer “natural,” they were not “spiritual” (fully controlled by the Holy Spirit). In fact, they were “carnal” (controlled by the fallen flesh). Though all believers have the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:9) they still battle the fallen flesh (see notes on Rom. 7:14–25; 8:23). MSB

B. Symptoms of Carnality

1. There are numerous symptoms of being controlled by the flesh, just as there are symptoms of being controlled by the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:22-23).

2. In vs. 1-3 Paul reveals numerous by-products of carnality:

a) Disinterested in spiritual things 1Co 3:1a]. Paul could not speak with them as if they would have understanding or interest about spiritual truths (cp. 1Co 2:14, here “natural” psuchikos would be a synonym of sark-inos, 1Co 3:3).

b) Interested in worldly and fleshly things [1Co 3:1b]. Warren Wiersbe once said that with some Christians you have to backslide in order to have a conversation with them.

c) Infants or immature in Christ [1Co 3:1c]. “Infant” is the Greek word nếpios and can mean infants (Mat 21:16; 1Co 3:2) or little children (1Co 13:11). But it could also refer to immature, childish, or carnal Christians (Rom 2:20; Eph 4:14).

d) Unable or unwilling to receive spiritual truths [1Co 3:2]. Milk is for babies whose stomachs cannot digest and process solid food. Immature Christians are Christians who are unable to digest (understand, 1Co 2:15) or process (obey) spiritual truths from the Word (cp. Heb 5:11-12).

e) Possess characteristics of the flesh [1Co 3:3a]. Paul described them as “fleshly” or “fleshy,” (sark-ikos) which means they live as though they are still of the world controlled by it its impulses.

f) They walk like men of the world [1Co 3:3c]. They walk “according to man” (kata anthrōpon) not the Spirit. “Walk” (peripatéō) refers to a habitual practice, manner of life, or lifestyle, not an infrequent failing (Eph 2:2-3).

g) They exhibit carnal and sinful behavior. Paul points out that they were carnal because they still were acting with jealousy, strife, and divisions.

THE CORINTHIANS DID NOT UNDERSTAND THE PRINCIPLES OF MINISTRY (1Co 3:4-10)

A. [1Co 3:4] - Paul’s prime example of carnality was the Corinthian’s behavior, which included their divisions.

1. Because they were divided on who was “of Paul” (i.e. baptized by Paul) and who was “of Apollos” (i.e. baptized by Apollos), Paul states this revealed their carnality. This was not only childish and immature from a human point of view but it was immature and sinful from a Christian point of view.

2. Paul’s conclusion, “Are you not mere men?” i.e. Are you not walking according to me of flesh?

B. [1Co 3:5] - Paul now argues the fallacies of the Corinthian thinking and behavior through divisions (1Co 3:5-10).

1. Paul and Apollos were mere servants (diákonoi - errand runners, ministers) who gave out the message “through whom” (dí hōn) the Corinthians believed.

2. They were only obeying the Lord’s directives and calling. They were not the ones who worked in the Corinthian’s heart to bring them to faith. Furthermore, it was the Lord who gave them the opportunities and success.

C. [1Co 3:6] - Yes, Paul planted the seed. Yes, Apollos watered that seed. But, they were mere servants who labored for the vineyard Owner. It was God who gave the miracle of salvation and spiritual growth.

D. [1Co 3:7] - In all reality, neither the one who plants nor waters is anything. For God made the seeds, soil, water, and sunshine. He is the one who brings the actual growth.

E. [1Co 3:8] - It is a great honor to plant or water. But it is all God’s doing and under His design. Those who “labor” (kopos - wearisome and hard toil and work, cp. 1Th 1:3; 2:9) for the Lord will receive a reward from Him, even though He enabled them to perform it.

F. [1Co 3:9] - Paul calls those who minister for the Lord sunergoi, which means the ones who work with God (cp. 1Th 3:2). Imagine, we not only work for God, but we also work with Him, because He brings the increase. Those to whom Paul ministered were God’s field (mission) and God’s building (discipleship).

G. [1Co 3:10a, b] - Paul takes no personal credit but gives it to the Lord who gave Him the grace. Paul is not the foundation upon which he built, rather Jesus Christ is the foundation (1Co 3:11). Paul then built on the foundation of Christ and built wisely according to the Scriptures (Mat 7:24-27).

OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Though we are believers with the Holy Spirit, we can act fleshly according to the flesh.

1. We should realize that any carnality makes us look like unbelievers who are “of flesh.”

2. Often our carnality is childish, but it is always self-centered, according to the flesh, and sinful.

3. Carnality should never be our habitual practice, manner, or lifestyle.

4. Therefore, we must always be on guard. There are no easy methods or plateaus, but only walking moment by moment by moment according to the Spirit who dwells in us (Gal 5:16).

5. We should first look at the carnality in our lives.

6. We should pray about it when we see carnality in others.

B. Do we have some of the symptoms of carnality?

1. Are we always interested in spiritual things? Or the desire to study the Word?

2. Are we the first ones to engage in spiritual discussion? Or think on spiritual things?

3. Do we ever have trouble understanding deep spiritual truths?

4. Do we understand deep spiritual truths but lack the desire to put them into practice?

5. Are there certain areas of carnality or besetting sins that you struggle with?

C. All believers are to play a part in planting seeds and watering.

1. Otherwise, we are disobedient labors in our Master’s field.

2. When there is growth, all the credit must go to Christ.