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1 Corinthians 3

1 Cor. 3:1 KJV (With Strong’s)

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1
And
kai (Greek #2532)
and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words
KJV usage: and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.
Pronounce: kahee
Origin: apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force
I
ego (Greek #1473)
a primary pronoun of the first person I (only expressed when emphatic)
KJV usage: I, me. For the other cases and the plural see 1691, 1698, 1700, 2248, 2249, 2254, 2257, etc.
Pronounce: eg-o'
, brethren
adephos (Greek #80)
a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like 1)
KJV usage: brother.
Pronounce: ad-el-fos'
Origin: from 1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς (the womb)
, could
dunamai (Greek #1410)
to be able or possible
KJV usage: be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.
Pronounce: doo'-nam-ahee
Origin: of uncertain affinity
not
ou (Greek #3756)
the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not
KJV usage: + long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but. See also 3364, 3372.
Pronounce: oo
Origin: οὐκ (ook), and (before an aspirate) οὐχ (ookh) a primary word
speak
laleo (Greek #2980)
to talk, i.e. utter words
KJV usage: preach, say, speak (after), talk, tell, utter. Compare 3004.
Pronounce: lal-eh'-o
Origin: a prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb
unto you
humin (Greek #5213)
to (with or by) you
KJV usage: ye, you, your(-selves).
Pronounce: hoo-min'
Origin: irregular dative case of 5210
as
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
p unto spiritual
pneumatikos (Greek #4152)
non-carnal, i.e. (humanly) ethereal (as opposed to gross), or (daemoniacally) a spirit (concretely), or (divinely) supernatural, regenerate, religious
KJV usage: spiritual. Compare 5591.
Pronounce: pnyoo-mat-ik-os'
Origin: from 4151
, but
alla (Greek #235)
properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations)
KJV usage: and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.
Pronounce: al-lah'
Origin: neuter plural of 243
as
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
unto carnal
sarkikos (Greek #4559)
pertaining to flesh, i.e. (by extension) bodily, temporal, or (by implication) animal, unregenerate
KJV usage: carnal, fleshly.
Pronounce: sar-kee-kos'
Origin: from 4561
, even as
hos (Greek #5613)
which how, i.e. in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
KJV usage: about, after (that), (according) as (it had been, it were), as soon (as), even as (like), for, how (greatly), like (as, unto), since, so (that), that, to wit, unto, when(-soever), while, X with all speed.
Pronounce: hoce
Origin: probably adverb of comparative from 3739
unto babes
nepios (Greek #3516)
not speaking, i.e. an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian
KJV usage: babe, child (+ -ish).
Pronounce: nay'-pee-os
Origin: from an obsolete particle νή- (implying negation) and 2031
r in
en (Greek #1722)
"in," at, (up-)on, by, etc.
KJV usage: about, after, against, + almost, X altogether, among, X as, at, before, between, (here-)by (+ all means), for (... sake of), + give self wholly to, (here-)in(-to, -wardly), X mightily, (because) of, (up-)on, (open-)ly, X outwardly, one, X quickly, X shortly, (speedi-)ly, X that, X there(-in, -on), through(-out), (un-)to(-ward), under, when, where(-with), while, with(-in). Often used in compounds, with substantially the same import; rarely with verbs of motion, and then not to indicate direction, except (elliptically) by a separate (and different) preposition.
Pronounce: en
Origin: a primary preposition denoting (fixed) position (in place, time or state), and (by implication) instrumentality (medially or constructively), i.e. a relation of rest (intermediate between 1519 and 1537)
Christ
Christos (Greek #5547)
anointed, i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus
KJV usage: Christ.
Pronounce: khris-tos'
Origin: from 5548
.
p
1 Cor. 2:14‑15• 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (1 Cor. 2:14‑15)
r
Heb. 5:12‑13• 12For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
 13For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. (Heb. 5:12‑13)
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1 Peter 2:2• 2As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: (1 Peter 2:2)

More on:

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Babes,
Brethren,
Carnal,
Christ,
spiritual

Cross References

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Ministry on This Verse

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1-2:  Milk is fit for children.
3-6:  Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.
7-8:  He that planteth and he that watereth, are nothing.
9-10:  The ministers are God's fellow-workmen.
11-15:  Christ the only foundation.
16-18:  Men the temples of God, which must be kept holy.
19-23:  The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.
as unto spiritual.
1 Cor. 2:6,15• 6Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
 15But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man. (1 Cor. 2:6,15)
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Gal. 6:1• 1Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (Gal. 6:1)
as unto carnal.
1 Cor. 3:3‑4• 3For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
 4For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Cor. 3:3‑4)
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1 Cor. 2:14• 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Cor. 2:14)
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Matt. 16:23• 23But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. (Matt. 16:23)
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Rom. 7:14• 14For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. (Rom. 7:14)
babes.
1 Cor. 14:20• 20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. (1 Cor. 14:20)
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Eph. 4:13‑14• 13Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
 14That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; (Eph. 4:13‑14)
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1 John 2:12• 12I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake. (1 John 2:12)
• "Carnal," or “fleshly:" that is, flesh had still attractions for them. It was not judged, detected in principle, or hated in all forms and degrees. They still valued what was of man, wisdom, ability, or eloquence, as such. (“Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:1-4” by W. Kelly)
• “Babes in Christ" does not refer to the recency of their conversion, but to their lack of growth. (“Notes on 1 Corinthians 3:1-4” by W. Kelly)

J. N. Darby Translation

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1
And *I*, brethren, have not been able to speak to you as to spiritual, but as to fleshlyi; as to babes in Christ.

JND Translation Notes

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i
Sarkinos. as Rom. 7.14; Heb. 7.16; 2 Cor. 3.3. This word is said to mean properly the material -- the composition of a thing. "Carnal," twice in verse 3, is sarkinos, a form used, in some places, to express either material or physical or moral ideas. It occurs also in Rom. 15.27; 1 Cor. 9.11; 2 Cor. 1.12; 10.4; 1 Pet. 2.11. This last passage, "fleshly lusts," shows how the material and moral thoughts run into one another.

W. Kelly Translation

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1
And I, brethren, was not able to speak to you as spiritual, but as fleshya, as babes in Christ.

WK Translation Notes

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a
Or perhaps "carnal." The most ancient authorities here give "sarkinois." In verse 3 most give "sarkikoi" on the first occurrence, all on the second. The difference is that "sarkinois" means physically of flesh ({vi 28845}{/vi}, {vi 30081}{/vi}); whereas "sarkikoi" supposes a fleshly will ({vi 30411}{/vi}; {vi 28414}{/vi}; {vi 28813;28976}{/vi}).