1 Corinthians 3:2

1 Corinthians 3:2

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.

a. NLT: 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, Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

b. ASV: I fed you with milk, not with meat; for ye were not yet able to bear it: nay, not even now are ye able; Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.

c. YLT: With milk I fed you, and not with meat, for ye were not yet able, but not even yet are ye now able, The Young's Literal Translation was translated by Robert Young, who believed in a strictly literal translation of God's word. This version of the Bible is in the public domain.

d. Classic Amplified: I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not yet strong enough [to be ready for it]; but even yet you are not strong enough [to be ready for it], Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC) Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation

1. “I have fed you with milk, and not with meat…”

a. [I have] fed [Strong: 4222. potizo pot-id'-zo from a derivative of the alternate of 4095; to furnish drink, irrigate:--give (make) to drink, feed, water.]

b. you [Strong: 5209. humas hoo-mas' accusative case of 5210; you (as the objective of a verb or preposition):--ye, you (+ -ward), your (+ own).]

c. [with] milk [Strong: 1051. gala gal'-ah of uncertain affinity; milk (figuratively):--milk.]

d. and [Strong: 2532. kai kahee apparently, a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words:--and, also, both, but, even, for, if, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yet.]

e. not [Strong: 3756. ou oo, also (before a vowel) ouk ook, and (before an aspirate) ouch ookh a primary word; the absolute negative (compare 3361) adverb; no or not:--+ long, nay, neither, never, no (X man), none, (can-)not, + nothing, + special, un(-worthy), when, + without, + yet but.]

f. [with] meat [Strong: 1033. broma bro'-mah from the base of 977; food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonially) articles allowed or forbidden by the Jewish law:--meat, victuals.]

1). The difference between the milk of the word and the meat of the word is discussed in the last verses of Hebrews 5.

a). Hebrews 5:11-14 [NLT] There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen.

5:12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food.

5:13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right.

5:14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong. Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2007. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

2. “...for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.”

a. for [Strong: 1063. gar gar a primary particle; properly, assigning a reason (used in argument, explanation or intensification; often with other particles):--and, as, because (that), but, even, for, indeed, no doubt, seeing, then, therefore, verily, what, why, yet.]

b. [hitherto] ye were...able [to bear it] [Strong: 1410. dunamai doo'-nam-ahee of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.]

c. not [Strong: 3768. oupo oo'-po from 3756 and 4452; not yet:--hitherto not, (no...) as yet, not yet.]

d. [Strong: 235. alla al-lah' neuter plural of 243; properly, other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations):--and, but (even), howbeit, indeed, nay, nevertheless, no, notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet.

e. neither [Strong: 3777. oute oo'-teh from 3756 and 5037; not too, i.e. neither or nor; by analogy, not even:--neither, none, nor (yet), (no, yet) not, nothing.]

f. yet [Strong: 2089. eti et'-ee perhaps akin to 2094; "yet," still (of time or degree):--after that, also, ever, (any) further, (t-)henceforth (more), hereafter, (any) longer, (any) more(-one), now, still, yet.]

g. now [Strong: 3568. nun noon a primary particle of present time; "now" (as adverb of date, a transition or emphasis); also as noun or adjective present or immediate:--henceforth, + hereafter, of late, soon, present, this (time).]

h. [are ye] able [Strong: 1410. dunamai doo'-nam-ahee of uncertain affinity; to be able or possible:--be able, can (do, + -not), could, may, might, be possible, be of power.]

1). These believers were not mature enough to walk in obedience to mature teaching because they were still spiritual babies.

a). 1 Corinthians 3:3 [Classic Amplified]  For you are still [unspiritual, having the nature] of the flesh [under the control of ordinary impulses]. For as long as [there are] envying and jealousy and wrangling and factions among you, are you not unspiritual and of the flesh, behaving yourselves after a human standard and like mere (unchanged) men?