What does Paul mean in 1 Corinthians 3 when he says he could not speak to them as unto spiritual?
Paul meant the Corinthians were still carnal, not spiritual, so he could not address them as mature believers able to receive the deep things of God. They had not moved beyond basic teaching, so he had to speak to them as fleshly, rudimentary learners rather than spiritual ones.
Les explains that when Paul says he could not speak to them as unto spiritual, he means they had not gone into the deep things. The Corinthians were still carnal, so Paul had to speak to them on a rudimentary level. Les contrasts them with the Thessalonians: Paul was with them only a short time, yet he had covered the whole gamut from the rudimentary to the very deep things, so he could write that they knew these things. The Corinthians had not. Les also compares this to the secular world, where children not taught rudimentary things cannot function; in the spiritual realm it is no different.
And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
More Questions
How did Paul address the Corinthian believers in 1 Corinthians 3?
Paul said he could not speak to the Corinthians as spiritual people but had to speak to them as carnal, fleshly babes in Christ.
What does Paul say to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 3:1?
In 1 Corinthians 3:1, Paul says he has to write to the Corinthians as carnal babes who are not ready for the meat of the word.