Were the Corinthians spiritually rich even though Paul called them carnal?
No. The context clarifies these Corinthians were still carnal; they were not yet spiritually rich like the Ephesians and still had a long way to go. Paul’s words “you are full” and “you are rich” are set against that condition, showing their need for further growth.
Les explains that the Corinthians were indeed carnal. He points to Paul’s words “Now you are full. Now you are rich,” then asks whether these people were carnal and answers that they were. They were not yet spiritually rich like the Ephesians; they still had a long way to go. This ties back to salvation and grace: believers have nothing except what they received, and they cannot glory as though they had not received it, because all is by God’s grace.
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
More Questions
What did Paul mean when he told the Corinthians they were rich and reigned as kings?
Paul says the carnal Corinthian Christians were rich, full, and reigning as kings without the apostles, and the reason was what God had done in their lives.