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Selected Verse: 1 Corinthians 3:2 - King James
| Verse |
Translation |
Text |
| 1Co 3:2 |
King James |
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. |
Summary Of Commentaries Associated With The Selected Verse
| A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882] |
(Heb 5:12).
milk--the elementary "principles of the doctrine of Christ." |
| Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834] |
I have fed you with milk - Paul here continues the metaphor, which is derived from the custom of feeding infants with the lightest food. Milk here evidently denotes the more simple and elementary doctrines of Christianity - the doctrines of the new birth, of repentance, faith, etc. The same figure occurs in Heb 5:11-14; and also in Classical writers. See Wetstein.
And not with meat - "Meat" here denotes the more sublime and mysterious doctrines of religion.
For hitherto - Formerly, when I came among you, and laid the foundations of the church.
Not able to bear it - You were not sufficiently advanced in Christian knowledge to comprehend the higher mysteries of the gospel.
Neither yet now ... - The reason why they were not then able he proceeds immediately to state. |
| Vincent's Word Studies, by Marvin R. Vincent [1886] |
I fed (ἐπότισα)
Lit., I gave you to drink. An instance of the rhetorical figure zeugma, by which one verb is attached to two nouns, of which it only suits the meaning of one, but suggests a verb suitable for the other. Thus "gave to drink" is applied to meat as well as to milk. For another illustration see hindering (A.V. and Rev., forbidding), Ti1 4:3. |
| Explanatory Notes on the Whole Bible, by John Wesley [1754-65] |
| I fed you, as babes, with milk - The first and plainest truths of the gospel. So should every preacher suit his doctrine to his hearers. |
| Adam Clarke Commentary on the Whole Bible - Published 1810-1826 |
| I have fed you with milk - I have instructed you in the elements of Christianity - in its simplest and easiest truths; because from the low state of your minds in religious knowledge, you were incapable of comprehending the higher truths of the Gospel: and in this state you will still continue. The apostle thus exposes to them the absurdity of their conduct in pretending to judge between preacher and preacher, while they had but a very partial acquaintance even with the first principles of Christianity. |
12 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.
11 Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.
12 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.
13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
14 But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.