In my Bible there is a very appropriate section heading to 1 Corinthians 3. It is called “On Divisions in the Church.” Yet as I read this chapter, which is probably the greatest statement in all the Bible against divisions in the Church of Jesus Christ, I realize that it has actually been the cause of at least two more of them. I say that because there are two themes in this chapter that have divided Christians. One is this matter of the carnal Christian or, as this translation has it, the worldly Christian, in the first section of the chapter. And the other is this matter of being saved, yet so as by fire. And these differences in interpretation have become so significant that they have grown almost into a discussion of what is orthodox or heterodox theology.
In terms of an outline, the chapter as a whole is in four parts. The first part deals with the worldliness of these Corinthian Christians and describes why they were worldly. The second section begins in verse 5 and deals with the Christian ministry. That is very significant because that is really the context in which all of this occurs. Then there is the third section, verses 12-17, which has to do with the subject of being saved, yet so as by fire. And then finally, verses 18 through the end, there is a conclusion, which is an important one because it is, in a certain sense, a wrap-up of everything we have looked at in our study of this book so far.
Now what is this problem with the carnal or the worldly Christian? The real issue is whether there are two types of Christians or not. We know that there is a big difference in the world between those who are not Christians and those who are. The first type is those who are unregenerate, while the other is those who are born again. But among those who are born again, the question arises, is it possible to have some who are going on with God, and who are spiritual, and, on the other hand, have some who are not going on with God and are carnal?
There are two different views on this question. The first considers the question asked above and answers that, yes, there are two types of Christians. There are carnal Christians, and then there are spiritual Christians. The second, of course, answers quite differently: No, there are only Christians and unbelievers. There is not another category of “carnal Christians.”
This is one of those subjects that you have to think through clearly. Often, in a division of this nature, people are talking at cross purposes. What each one is saying is true, but they are both using language that means something different to the other camp.
First of all, what can we say on the side of those who talk about the carnal Christian? Well, one thing you can say is that language here in 1 Corinthians 3 certainly suggests it. Paul begins in verse 1, “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ.” And, moreover, we would have to acknowledge that there is a certain neatness about that because when we look at Christians, we observe that certainly there are professing Christians who do not seem to be going on with the Lord, and it is kind of convenient to be able to put them in a certain category. They are carnal Christians, and what they need to do is get out of their worldliness and begin to get serious about the lordship of Jesus Christ.
On the other hand, I want to criticize what flows out of that position. What comes out of that approach is a certain smugness, unintentional perhaps, which says, “Well, you can live in a worldly way and still be a Christian. It’s okay, since, after all, Paul speaks of carnal Christians.” But then there is another kind of smugness which says, “Yes, they’re carnal, which of course, I’m not. I’m spiritual and, therefore, I don’t have to worry about worldliness in my life.” That is what I think are the strengths and the weaknesses of that position.
