1 Corinthians Chapter 3 - Part 1

I wanted to break this chapter into three larger themes:

1. The carnal Christian?

2. Proper view of ministers

3. Worldly Wisdom

However, I have become a little bogged down with the topic of the carnal Christian. I found two conflicting views on this passage, and both are rather convincing. So I have been slowly sorting thru the differening viewpoints to decide which I believe is more biblical. I am inclined to go with the discussion I found on the website of a PCA church, but I don't want to dismiss to quickly that of the other author. So here goes:

View 1 - A Third Group
The main point in the author's writing is that the carnal christian constitutes a third category of Christian. There is the natural man, the spiritual man, and now the carnal man. Paul begins the passage by calling them "brethren" and "babes in Christ". This would provide evidence for this point of view, that they are Christians but are only acting immaturely. The author goes on to state that "Of course, the flesh does not dominate every aspect of their life...but Paul is addressing issues where they clearly are thinking and acting in a carnal - that is, fleshly - manner." Finally, "The carnal Christian is a child of God, born again and on his way to heaven, but he is traveling third class." (Redpath) So we have this idea that there is a class of Christian that is born again and has the same salvation and standing with God as the spiritual man, but who is mastered by the flesh. Is this right? Can a man remain in this category and be a Chrisitian? Can he have any expectation of going to heaven?

View 2 - A Need for Repentence
Another viewpoint begins by reminding us of the tone of the book thus far. Paul has confronted the Corinthians with their love of "silver tongued orators whose speech seemed better than the simple preaching of Christ crucified for sinners." This is the core issue here, the need for real wisdom and that it is found only in the cross of Christ. He agrees that the recipients are Christians, because they are called "brethren". But the tone of the passage is different than that of the first author. The first view shows almost a complacency and acceptance of this idea of the carnal Christian. It acknolwedges that the carnal "Christian" is not up to par, but makes no strides to improve that. This author actually takes the stance that Paul is confronting this group once more with their sinfulness and demanding repentance. "These are not second class Christians who need to grow up. These are God's people with reprehensible lifestyles who need to repent." So we shift from the creation and acceptance to a third type of Christian to an analogy of their behavior and need for repentance.

In conclusion, I think by not looking at this passage in isolation, we are forced to see the continuing theme of Paul confronting the Corinthians with their sinful lifestyle and their barriers to the simple gospel truth that they need. There is not a third class of Christian who just scrapes by, but there are Christians who have lifestyles that are not pleasing to the Lord, and need to repent. This will guard against us thinking or worse teaching that you can come into fellowship with God and then continue in the sins you previously commited and be classified as safe. We have a higher calling to live in obedience to our King.

He has shown you, O man, what is good;
And what does the Lord require of you
But to do justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God?
~Micah 6:8