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1 Corinthians 3:2

New Testament Epistle (Pauline) ASV (1901)

What does 1 Corinthians 3:2 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able [to bear it]: nay, not even now are ye able;” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able [to bear it]: nay, not even now are ye able;
1 Corinthians 3:2 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Corinthians 3

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
1And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, as unto babes in Christ.
2I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able [to bear it]: nay, not even now are ye able;
3for ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you jealousy and strife, are ye not carnal, and do ye not walk after the manner of men?
4For when one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not men?
5What then is Apollos? and what is Paul? Ministers through whom ye believed; and each as the Lord gave to him.
← 1 Corinthians 3:11 Corinthians 3:3 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“I have fed you with milk, etc.] It is usual with the Jews to compare the law to milk, and they say f27, that “as milk strengthens and nourishes an infant, so the law strengthens and nourishes the soul;” but the apostle does not here mean hrwt lç blj, “the milk of the law”, as they f28 call it, but the Gospel; comparable to milk, for its purity and wholesomeness, for the nourishing virtue there is in it, and because easy of digestion; for he designs by it, the more plain and easy doctrines of the Gospel, such as babes in Christ were capable of understanding and receiving: and not with meat; the more solid doctrines of the Gospel, and sublime mysteries of grace; the wisdom of God in a mystery,…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“(Heb 5:12). milk--the elementary "principles of the doctrine of Christ."”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“I have fed you with milk - Paul here continues the metaphor, which is derived from the custom of feeding infants with the lightest food. Milk here evidently denotes the more simple and elementary doctrines of Christianity - the doctrines of the new birth, of repentance, faith, etc. The same figure occurs in Hebrews 5:11-14; and also in Classical writers. See Wetstein. And not with meat - “Meat” here denotes the more sublime and mysterious doctrines of religion. For hitherto - Formerly, when I came among you, and laid the foundations of the church. Not able to bear it - You were not sufficiently advanced in Christian knowledge to comprehend the higher mysteries of the gospel. Neither yet now…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“I fed you, as babes, with milk - The first and plainest truths of the gospel. So should every preacher suit his doctrine to his hearers. 1 Corinthians 3:3”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“3:2 Because of the Corinthian Christians’ lack of spiritual maturity, Paul was unable to speak about the deeper truths of life in Christ, the solid food (see 2:6-7) that is reserved for mature Christians. Instead, he had to restrict himself to milk, the basic teachings of the Good News (cp. Heb 5:12-14; 6:1-3; 1 Pet 2:2).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“fed: Heb 5:12-14; Pe1 2:2 for: Joh 16:12; Heb 5:11, Heb 5:12 1 Corinthians 3:3”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Corinthians 3 in contextBrowse Greek word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification