In 1 Corinthians 2:6 the Apostle says, “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect.” And then, in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, he says, “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 ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able, for ye are yet carnal.” While these two terms are not found in the same verse, they appear to be another contrast where Paul compares the state and maturity of Christians.
THE CARNAL MAN
“Carnal” means “fleshly.” It indicates a state of being governed by the flesh rather than by the Spirit. A “carnal” man could even be a Christian who has the Spirit of God, but doesn’t live according to the Spirit. A carnal Christian will be stunted in his spiritual growth. This was the problem with many of the Corinthians.
There are three times when the Apostle Paul speaks of a babe in an undesirable way. Many of the Jewish believers were still in that state because they had not let go of the forms and rituals of earthly religion—Judaism (Heb. 5:11-14). Likewise, a believer who clings to an outward, formal, religious order in Christendom will also be hindered in his growth. Then in Ephesians 4, Paul speaks of Christians remaining as “babes” through not availing themselves of the gifts given to the Church from Christ the Head in heaven (Eph. 4:14 – J. N. Darby Trans.). The purpose of these gifts is to help the saints to understand the truth and to walk according to it. Then there were the Corinthians who were “babes” for another reason—carnality in following men (1 Cor. 3:1-2). None of these, of course, are commendable. The only time spiritual babyhood is acceptable is when a person is young in the faith, being newly saved (1 John 2:18-27).
THE PERFECT MAN
“Perfect,” carries the thought of “maturity” or “full growth.” A “perfect” man isn’t one who never makes a mistake, but a believer who has one object in His life—Christ (Phil. 3:13-15). When the Lord comes, we will be made “perfect” in every sense of the Word. We will no longer have the flesh, and hence, will no longer fail in any way (Phil. 3:12; Heb. 11:40; 12:23). But until that time, God’s desire is that we would spiritually “come in [into] 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 fullness of Christ: that we henceforth be no more children [babes]” (Eph. 4:13-14).
Paul’s habit was to speak the wisdom of God “among them that are perfect” (1 Cor. 2:6). Remarking on this verse, Hamilton Smith said, “The term [“perfect”] does not simply designate a believer in contrast to a sinner. It is used rather to describe a full-grown, mature believer in contrast to those whom the Apostle speaks of as babes.” It means that Paul sought to reach those in his audience who were going on spiritually. If they received his doctrine and were built up by it, they in turn could give it to the others when they were able to receive it. Paul instructed Timothy to do the same. He was to give the truth to “faithful men” who would teach others also (2 Tim. 2:2). While the majority of the Corinthians were “babes” because of their carnality, there were some who were “perfect” in this sense. 1 Corinthians 16:15-18 indicates this. It was to such that Paul sought to communicate the “meat” of the truth, but to the “babes” he fed them with “milk” only.
A Scriptural Profile of the Perfect (Full-grown) Man
He has one interest in life—Christ (Phil. 3:13-15).
He takes meat, and not milk only (Heb. 5:11-12).
He walks in separation from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-17).
He judges himself (2 Cor. 7:1).
He has left Judaism and all its Judaistic principles (Heb. 6:1-4).
He is governed by simple obedience (1 John 2:5).
He has a deeper, wider love for others (1 John 4:11-12).
He is less anxious in trial (James 1:2-4).
He controls his tongue (James 3:2).
He is generous with his possessions (Matt. 19:21).
He keeps in step with his brethren (John 17:21-23).
His service is according to the mind of God (Heb. 13:21).
Some Practical Considerations
We may wonder why it is that some Christians after getting saved, make rapid progress in divine things, while others seem to progress more slowly with many ups and downs. If we had it marked on a chart, the line would be almost vertical for some, while for others it would waiver up and down. Some imagine that it’s because we all have different levels of intelligence. Others will say that it has to do with whether you are studious or not—often excusing themselves by saying that they are not readers. And then some think that you need to have a gift for it, and not all Christians have that gift. But these are not the reasons why some grow faster than others.
Someone said that spiritual growth is like building a fire. You can set the kindling in such a way that when you light the fire, it really catches hold and burns well. But you can also arrange the kindling in a haphazard way so that the fire doesn’t get going very well. It is just the same in the things of God. We need to have certain principles in place in our lives so that the Spirit of God can take the truth of God and apply it to our hearts and consciences to create real growth. Since there is a parallel between natural growth and spiritual growth, we need to have the following things in place in our lives:
Good food—Feeding on Christ in the Word of God (1 Peter 2:1-2).
Fresh air—Breathing the heavenly atmosphere of communion with God the Father and the Son (John 14:23).
Regular exercise—Self-judgment through which every fleshly thing is removed from our lives (1 Tim. 4:7).
An environment free of contamination—Christian fellowship in separation from the world (2 Cor. 6:14-17; Acts 4:23; 2 Tim. 2:22).