1 Corinthians 3:1-2  “The Irony of Fleshly Spirituality” By Bob DeWaay

This sermon focuses on Paul’s use of irony as he address the Corinthian church, calling them “brothers,” which means, brothers and sisters in Christ. Many have taken Paul’s words literally to mean that the “fleshly” and “infants” were given very basic teaching that differs what Paul wished to teach. The problem with taking this literally is that those who reject God’s wisdom, i.e. Christ crucified, take it as “foolishness” and do not accept the things of the Spirit of God. So if they were literally “people of the flesh” they would be devoid of the Spirit and those who are lost. Paul’s meaning is not that they are lost but they are thinking and behaving as if they were lost. This is the irony. I cite various scholars who see this irony and describe the harm done when the ironic is taken literally. Paul does not address them as “brothers” when they are in fact lost and enemies of the gospel. Thus the ironic rebuke. In 1 Corinthians 2:14 Paul uses “could not” to describe those who refuse to accept the things of the Spirit of God. Here he addresses those who did come to Christ (not lost in sin) that he “could not” address “as” spiritual people but as “people of the flesh.” This is ironic and not literal.  I share ways that many have been hurt and confused by taking the gospel as an interesting starting point then looking for something more advanced to be the true “solid food.” The problem was not the message of the cross being too basic, simple, or unspiritual, but their schisms and divisions which will be covered in the next two verses.