1 Corinthians 3:2
New International Version
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.

New Living Translation
I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready,

English Standard Version
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,

Berean Standard Bible
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,

Berean Literal Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for not yet were you able. In fact, now you are still not able,

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able;

New American Standard Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to consume it. But even now you are not yet able,

NASB 1995
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,

NASB 1977
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are not yet able,

Legacy Standard Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for you were not yet able to receive it. Indeed, even now you are still not able,

Amplified Bible
I fed you with milk, not solid food; for you were not yet able to receive it. Even now you are still not ready.

Christian Standard Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, since you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you were not yet ready for it. In fact, you are still not ready,

American Standard Version
I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;

Contemporary English Version
So I had to treat you like babies and feed you milk. You could not take solid food, and you still cannot,

English Revised Version
I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
I gave you milk to drink. I didn't give you solid food because you weren't ready for it. Even now you aren't ready for it

Good News Translation
I had to feed you milk, not solid food, because you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready for it,

International Standard Version
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, because you weren't ready for it. And you're still not ready!

Majority Standard Bible
I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready,

NET Bible
I fed you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready. In fact, you are still not ready,

New Heart English Bible
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you weren't yet ready. And even now you are still not ready,

Webster's Bible Translation
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.

Weymouth New Testament
I fed you with milk and not with solid food, since for this you were not yet strong enough. And even now you are not strong enough:

World English Bible
I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you weren’t yet ready. Indeed, you aren’t ready even now,
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
with milk I fed you, and not with meat, for you were not yet able, but not even yet are you now able,

Berean Literal Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food, for not yet were you able. In fact, now you are still not able,

Young's Literal Translation
with milk I fed you, and not with meat, for ye were not yet able, but not even yet are ye now able,

Smith's Literal Translation
I have given you milk to drink, and not food; for ye were not able, but neither now are ye yet able.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
I gave you milk to drink, not meat; for you were not able as yet. But neither indeed are you now able; for you are yet carnal.

Catholic Public Domain Version
I gave you milk to drink, not solid food. For you were not yet able. And indeed, even now, you are not able; for you are still carnal.

New American Bible
I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now,

New Revised Standard Version
I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for solid food. Even now you are still not ready,
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were unable to eat it, and even now you are not ready for it;

Aramaic Bible in Plain English
I gave you milk to drink and I did not give you solid food, for you have not been able to bear it until now, neither now are you able.
NT Translations
Anderson New Testament
I fed you with milk, not with meat; for you were not then able to bear it; indeed, not even now are you able;

Godbey New Testament
I have fed you with milk, not with meat; for you were not yet able. But ye are not now yet able:

Haweis New Testament
And I have given you milk to drink, and not meat: for hitherto ye have not been capable of it, yea, even to the present moment ye are not capable of it.

Mace New Testament
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, nor have you yet sufficient strength.

Weymouth New Testament
I fed you with milk and not with solid food, since for this you were not yet strong enough. And even now you are not strong enough:

Worrell New Testament
I fed you with milk, and not solid food; for not yet were ye able to bear it; nay, nor even now are ye able;

Worsley New Testament
I have fed you with milk, and not with meat; for ye were not hitherto able to bear it, nor yet are ye even now able.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
God's Fellow Workers
1Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. 2 I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, 3for you are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and dissension among you, are you not worldly? Are you not walking in the way of man?…

Cross References
Hebrews 5:12-14
Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,

Isaiah 28:9
Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?

John 16:12
I still have much to tell you, but you cannot yet bear to hear it.

Matthew 13:10-13
Then the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Why do You speak to the people in parables?” / He replied, “The knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. / Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. ...

1 Corinthians 2:6
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.

Galatians 4:3
So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.

Ephesians 4:14
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.

Jeremiah 1:6-7
“Ah, Lord GOD,” I said, “I surely do not know how to speak, for I am only a child!” / But the LORD told me: “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ For to everyone I send you, you must go, and all that I command you, you must speak.

Psalm 131:2
Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.

1 Corinthians 14:20
Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Hebrews 6:1
Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God,

Proverbs 9:1-6
Wisdom has built her house; she has carved out her seven pillars. / She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table. / She has sent out her maidservants; she calls out from the heights of the city. ...

1 John 2:12-14
I am writing to you, little children, because your sins have been forgiven through His name. / I am writing to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I am writing to you, young men, because you have overcome the evil one. I have written to you, children, because you know the Father. / I have written to you, fathers, because you know Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the evil one.

Isaiah 55:1-3
“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.


Treasury of Scripture

I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for till now you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.

fed.

Hebrews 5:12-14
For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat…

1 Peter 2:2
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

for.

John 16:12
I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

Hebrews 5:11,12
Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing…

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Able Bear Drink Enough Fed Food Hitherto Indeed Meat Milk Ready Receive Solid Strong Unable Weren't
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1 Corinthians 3
1. Milk is fit for children.
3. Strife and division, arguments of a fleshly mind.
7. He who plants and He who waters are nothing.
9. The ministers are God's fellow workmen.
11. Christ the only foundation.
16. You are the temples of God, which must be kept holy.
19. The wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.














I gave you milk
The metaphor of "milk" in this context is drawn from the basic, foundational teachings of the Christian faith. In Greek, the word for milk is "gala," which signifies nourishment suitable for infants. Paul uses this imagery to convey the idea that the Corinthians were spiritually immature, needing simple, easily digestible teachings. This reflects a nurturing approach, akin to a mother's care for her child, emphasizing the importance of starting with the basics in spiritual growth. Historically, milk as a symbol of basic teaching is consistent with Jewish educational practices, where learners begin with simple concepts before advancing to more complex ones.

not solid food
The phrase "solid food" translates from the Greek "brosis stereas," indicating more substantial, complex teachings meant for mature believers. This contrast between milk and solid food highlights the Corinthians' lack of readiness to delve into deeper theological truths. In the broader scriptural context, solid food represents the wisdom and understanding that come with spiritual maturity. The use of this metaphor underscores the expectation of growth and development in the Christian life, moving from elementary teachings to a more profound comprehension of God's word.

for you were not yet ready for it
The phrase "not yet ready" suggests a lack of preparedness or capacity to receive more advanced instruction. The Greek word "dunamai" implies ability or power, indicating that the Corinthians lacked the spiritual strength or maturity to handle deeper truths. This reflects a pastoral concern from Paul, who recognizes their current state and adjusts his teaching accordingly. Historically, this mirrors the process of discipleship in the early church, where believers were gradually introduced to more complex doctrines as they matured in faith.

Indeed, you are still not ready
The repetition of the idea that they are "still not ready" emphasizes the ongoing nature of their spiritual immaturity. The Greek word "eti" (still) indicates a continuation of the previous state, suggesting that despite time and opportunity, the Corinthians have not progressed as expected. This serves as both a rebuke and a call to self-examination, urging them to recognize their stagnation and strive for growth. In the broader biblical narrative, this highlights the importance of perseverance and diligence in the Christian journey, encouraging believers to seek maturity and deeper understanding continually.

(2) Milk . . . meat.--The use of the word "infant" naturally suggests these two images for the higher wisdom and for the simpler truths of the gospel respectively.

Hitherto ye were not able.--Better, for ye were not yet able. Up to this point the Apostle has been speaking of the condition in which he found the Corinthians when he came first to Corinth, and he proceeds from this to rebuke them for continuing in this condition. He does not blame them for having been "babes" at the outset, but he does in the following passage blame them for not having yet grown up out of infancy.

(2, 3) Neither yet now are ye able, for ye are yet carnal.--Better, but not even now are ye able, for ye are still carnal. It is for this absence of growth--for their continuing up to this time in the same condition--that the Apostle reproaches them; and he shows that the fault which they find with him for not having given them more advanced teaching really lies at their own door.

Verse 2. - I fed you with milk. The metaphor is expanded in Hebrews 5:13, "Every one that partaketh of milk is without experience of the Word of righteousness; for he is a babe." The same metaphor is found in Philo; and the young pupils of the rabbis were called "sucklings" (תינוקות) and "little ones" (camp. Matthew 10:42). Not with meat; not with solid food, which is for full grown or spiritually perfect men (Hebrews 5:14). For hitherto; rather, for ye were not yet - when I preached to you - able to bear it. The same phrase is used by our Lord in John 16:12, "I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now;" and he taught them in parables, "as they were able to bear it" (Mark 4:33). Not even now are ye able. Though you imagine that you have advanced so far beyond my simpler teaching.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Greek
I gave you
ἐπότισα (epotisa)
Verb - Aorist Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 4222: To cause to drink, give to drink; irrigate, water. From a derivative of the alternate of pino; to furnish drink, irrigate.

milk,
γάλα (gala)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1051: Milk. Of uncertain affinity; milk.

not
οὐ (ou)
Adverb
Strong's 3756: No, not. Also ouk, and ouch a primary word; the absolute negative adverb; no or not.

solid food,
βρῶμα (brōma)
Noun - Accusative Neuter Singular
Strong's 1033: Food of any kind. From the base of bibrosko; food, especially articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law.

for
γὰρ (gar)
Conjunction
Strong's 1063: For. A primary particle; properly, assigning a reason.

you were not yet ready [for solid food].
ἐδύνασθε (edynasthe)
Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.

In fact,
Ἀλλ’ (All’)
Conjunction
Strong's 235: But, except, however. Neuter plural of allos; properly, other things, i.e. contrariwise.

you are still not ready,
δύνασθε (dynasthe)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 2nd Person Plural
Strong's 1410: (a) I am powerful, have (the) power, (b) I am able, I can. Of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible.


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NT Letters: 1 Corinthians 3:2 I fed you with milk not (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor)
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