PAUL'S THREE MEN

1« Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things ofa man, save the spirit of man which is in
him? even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God. Vs 12 Now we have
received, not the spirit of the world, but thespirit which is of God; that we might know the things
that are freely given to us of God. Vs 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with
spiritual. Vs 14But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are
foolishess unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Vs 15But
he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Notice here, Paul, firstly, referred to believers as "spiritual" (Verse 15) and he described the
unbelievers "the natural man". Hence, we see a classificaton of men in the world.
Hence, from the above explanation, Paul gave a classification inhumanity
• The natural man (the unbeliever)
• The Spiritual man (the believer)
He explained in context (Verse 12) why a man "Spiritual"
83 | Page
Fir
Car
ha
wt
Is 12 Now we have received not theyrt of the world, but the spirt which is of Cod. that we might
know the things that arekeely given to us of God
He has received the spint (freely Given ottod). The natural man is unsaved, He does nort have
the Spirit He is in the flesh, from it, bit and of it This is the unbeliever!
206 Corinthians 6: 14 Be ye not unegally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship
hath righteousness with urghteousness? And What communion hath light with darkness? Ns 15
And what concod hath Christ with Beltal? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? Vs
16 Ardwhat agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living
God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they
shall be my people.
The believer is the temple of God. He is Chrst, light and righteousness. The unsaved man is the
temple of idols: Belial, an infidel and arrighteousness.
This clearly is the result of believing or oterwise. The unbeliever has not accepted grace while
the believer has. This is the position ofeach class or kind.
However, in 1« Corinthians 3, Paul addresses a different class. It is a class within a class.
This time he speaks strictly to believers andabout them.
1« Corinthians 3:1 And I brethren, coud not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal,
even as unto babes in Christ. Vs 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye
were not able to bearit, neither yet now are ye able. Vs 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas
there is amongyou envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? Vs 4
For whileone saith, 1 am of Paul; and another, 1 am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
He used the phrase "babes in Christ". This does not refer to new converts as Peter suggested in
1st Peter 2:2.
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milkof the word, that ye may grow thereby."The word
"babes" used by Peter here was translatedfrom the Greek word "brefos" which implies an infant;
a baby. This is different from theword Paul used in 1st Corinthians 3, which was translated from
the Greek word "nepos", which implies someone that is immature; undeveloped. Hence, these
are experiened believers who have refused to grow
up.
Hence, Paul in Verse 2, referred to their diet. They have refused meat and stuck to milk.
The word "milk" was not in reference to a type of theword. It is a mode of communication.
That was why he said "... could not speak unto you asunto spiritual, but as unto carnal...
The word "fed" was translated from the Greek word "potizo", which It implies to give morsel. It is
never used for what another does but what you do for yourself; it is applied more in the
receiving of something. It refers to individual actions. So, the phrase "fed you with milk" had to
do with their reception.
Thus, he did not assume that because they have the Spirit (Verse 12), things of the spirit should
be expressly said to them.
Hence, just like Jesus, he often used the natural to explain the spiritual. Parables was the
means used to communicate to non-believers.
Mark 4:11 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of
God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:
Vs 12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; andhearing they may hear, and not
understand; lest at any time they should be converted and their sins should be forgiven
them.
Parables are illustrations where we use the natural toexplain the spiritual. The believer cannot
keep feeding this way and grow spiritually!
Now, the word "carnal" was translated from the Greek wod "sarkikos", which implies of or by the
flesh.
Roll Cortan 14-15, he catier refered to the believer a Spital. Thu
When he said rhetorical to them " reyo not carnal?", Paul used an oxymoron to drive home his
point. He, however, safely andcarefully picked his words, because there cano be a carnal
Christian. The usage is metapbrical, not actual, because the believer is NOT in
the flesh.
Romans 8.9 But ye are not in the flesh,but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in
you. Now if any man have not theSpirit of Christ, he is none of his.
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
Vs 25 If we live in the Spirit, letus also walk in the Spirit.
The believer has the Spirit! He is alive in the Spirit! He is not in / of the flesh! The unbeliever is
in the flesh and cannot pleaseGod!
In other words, when he said "are you notcarnal?", it is like saying animal-man, good-bad, and
light-darkness. In essence, Paul used this phrase to jerk them to reality. They had been acting
up. Acting as though they were unsaved!
These folks acted like they did not have the Spirit. They fought over issues like water (15t
Corinthians 1), head covering (1» Corinthian: 11), and associations (1st Corinthians 1&
They held on more to persons than to the word - Christ! They had arguments and fights over
food, bread and wine, marriage. They went to court against fellow believers, right before
unbelievers (1»t Corinthians 6: 1-5).
1** Corinthians 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the
unjust, and not before the saints? Vs 2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world?
and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Vs 3
Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that
pertain to this life? Vs 4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to
judge who are least esteemed in the church. Vs 5 I speak to your shame. Is it so, that there is
not a wise man among you? no, not one that shall be able to judge betweenhis brethren? Vs 6
But brothergoeth to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers.
• The Spirit going to the fleshior wisdom!
They could not recognize their newstatus. They had not been feeding on the Word! The solution
is the Word! Hence Paul queted often in this letter to the Corinthians...KNOW YE NOT!
Babes need to grow up in Christ! Theyare to tarry on what Christ has done. Feed on it till their
minds are renewed, lives changed and transformed. Many still love to hear stories to enjoy
church services, Illustrations,other peoples' testimonies, and experiences. They are feeding on
the wrong diet.
Jesus used this approach for the spirtually dead! You (the believer) can comprehend the things
of the Spirit, without the aid ofcarnal illustrations.
The believer does not need to see and understand God's forgiveness by being told the story of
the boy who left home, ran a riotous life and came back home and accepted by his father,
(Prodigal story). No! He has received the Spirit. Thus, he is to look at Christ; His work - the
Word.
He is forgiven for Christ's sake. Forgiveness is a reality that we have in Christ!
Ephesians 4:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
1st John 2:12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's
sake.
Ephesians 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of his grace;
Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, [even the forgiveness of sins:
87 | Page
HAvre the Samarians story le notfor the believer. He is born of od e,
Mos!|ave is ou naturo, Weare bornagain!
CHIS LET THE WINER IS EXPOSED TO DETERMINES HIS CRAN
CUSt the bellever is to leod on theWord!
Arts 20312 And now I commit you to God, and to the word of his grace, wh able to build you up
and give to youan inheritance among all the sanctified.
Ephesians 418 But spealing the truth in love, may grow up into him in all ta which is the head,
evo Christ Vs 20 But ye have not so learned Christ;
I*Peter 2i2 As newton habes, deare the sincere milk of the word, that ye may p thereby
Te Peter t Hit grow in grue, and in the knowledge of our Lord and sam Jesus Chet To lum he
plary hoth now and for ever. Amen.