Why did the Corinthian believers need time to grow spiritually?
The Corinthian believers had been saved out of abject paganism, idolatry, and immorality, so they could not instantly become mature or share the same spiritual discoveries as older Christians. They needed a time of nurturing and growth in grace, not law, because spiritual maturity develops gradually after salvation.
Les explains that these were infant believers, and no one should expect them to suddenly be mature or to have the same spiritual discoveries as longer and older Christians. As you study Corinthians, he says, keep in mind that these folk were saved out of abject paganism, idolatry, and immorality, so there was going to be a time of nurturing and growth, but only by the grace of God. Every person saved by grace experiences all of God's grace at salvation, yet there is still a long way to go in growth. We grow in grace; we do not grow into grace. From that position in grace we grow and grow as God intends, and since grace is not law, nothing is forced upon us.