1 Cor 2:16b-3:4 - The Mind of Christ v. The Carnal Mind

But we have the mind of Christ. And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? (1 Corinthians 2:16b-3:4)

If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:1-5)

I Corinthians 2:16b:

"we have the mind of Christ" - cf. Phil 2:1-5. The mind of Christ is one of humility. This is the mind that would never challenge the will of God. A clear example of this was carried out by Christ who was always submissive to the will of His God, even to the death of the cross.

I Corinthians 3:1:

Paul turns his attention to the condition of the saints in Corinth. Paul calls them "carnal." This would signify that though they are saved, they are allowing their own fleshly desires to control their lives. This verse would show that it is possible that though someone is saved, that they live their life after the desires of the flesh rather than the desires of God. Paul compares them to babies: small in spirituality and dependent upon others for spiritual survival and progress.

I Corinthians 3:2:

The condition of the believers only allows them to be fed with the "milk" of the word (cf. 1 Pe 2:1-3). This would imply that they would be able to only understand the simplest truths from scripture. The carnal Christian is unable to digest the solid food that the word of God can provide. The carnal Christian, though he may be saved for a lengthy period of time, is at the same point as a brand new born again Christian in regards to their ability to comprehend scriptures. They certainly are unable to be taught by the Spirit the deep things of God that the Holy Spirit knows and is able to teach (1 Cor 2:10,13). The believers at Corinth continue in this condition and are not growing spiritually.

I Corinthians 3:3:

Paul gives three examples of why those in Corinth are yet carnal:

1. there is envying, zeal, or friction one against the other. A believer should love other brethren. Those that do not, are walking exactly like those abiding in death and are showing that they do not love God (1 John 3:14. 4:20-21). The mind of Christ would, instead of looking at his own things and wanting more, look on others and love them: " Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." (Phil 2:4)

2. there is strife, or quarreling. Believers are speaking against believers. This is not how saints should act. 1 Cor 2:16 explains that the mind of Christ is what should be evident in the believer. The mind of Christ is expanded on in Phil 2:1-4 and directly addresses that quarreling is not participated in by those who have the mind of Christ: " Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory ; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves." (Phil 2:3)

3. divisions or heresies. The word heresies is chosen because it is, according to the NT definition, heretics who divide saints. It is tragic when men form their own groups and divide from the church based on imposing the will of man instead of the will of God. Satan loves to put these sorts of thoughts into the mind of the believer. He loves to cause fellowship to be broken among believers. This is not the mind of Christ to divide, rather Paul tells the saints at Philippi, "Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind." (Phil 2:2)

Paul goes the step further in writing to the churches at Galatia. The three problems pointed out in this particular passage in connection with the mind of Christ are cited as works of the flesh. This is fitting seeing the works of the flesh are playing out in the life of these carnal believers. After guidance from Paul, those who are believers will no doubt adhere to the correction, but those who will continue in their own ways, contrary to the word of God, will not have part in the kingdom of God at the time of reward and have manifested themselves as not true believers [For the sake of simplicity, the works of the flesh in accordance to the carnal believers at Corinth have been put into ALL CAPS]:

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, STRIFE, seditions, HERESIES, ENVYINGS, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21)

I Corinthians 3:4:

Paul now points specifically to the divisions between Paul and Apollos converted believers. Perhaps these divisions are too the cause of the strife and envying, or the strife and the quarreling may have caused the divisions. These divisions were noted back in ch1:11-13.