“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”– 1 Corinthians 13:11 (KJV)
“When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.”– 1 Corinthians 13:11 (NLT)
“When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good.”– 1 Corinthians 13:11 (MSG)
What Does 1 Corinthians 13:11 Mean?
This passage is so meaningful and powerful. It speaks to the journey of growing up both physically and spiritually. When we look closely at this verse, we see Paul sharing his own experience of transformation. Like many of us, he recognized that our understanding of the world and ourselves matures as we age. “When I was a child” signifies a time of simplicity, innocence, and naivety. Children view things differently; they have not yet developed the understanding and insight that come with experience.
Beneath this surface meaning lies a deeper spiritual truth. We are reminded that faith also matures. Just as we grow from being children to adults, we must also evolve in our faith journey. As we begin to comprehend profound spiritual truths, we are called to leave behind our old ways of thinking, understanding, and acting in relation to God. This metamorphosis in life reflects our growth in understanding God’s love, purpose, and calling, which leads us towards a more profound relationship with Him.
1 Corinthians 13:11 Explanation and Commentary
In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul was addressing a community eager for spiritual gifts and knowledge. Yet, he emphasizes love as the greatest of all gifts. Here in chapter 13, while discussing love, Paul reflects on personal growth and maturity. This passage is not merely a statement about childhood; it is a reminder of the broader theme of growing in our relationships with God and others.
When we are young, our understanding is often limited. We may not grasp the full implications of certain decisions, nor do we see their consequences. Think of times when we acted impulsively—perhaps a moment of anger that led to hurt feelings or misunderstandings with friends. In a way, our spiritual life parallels this experience. As spiritual infants, we can be distracted by petty disagreements or misunderstandings in our faith journey. Paul encourages us to recognize these things as “childish” and emphasizes the need to transition into mature believers.
Growing up in faith means moving beyond surface-level spirituality to a deeper, more meaningful connection with God. It whispers to us about the importance of wisdom and discernment in difficult situations. As we mature, our choices should reflect our understanding of God’s love—leading us to kindness, forgiveness, and selflessness instead of pride or resentment.
In this way, this verse acts as both a mirror and a roadmap. It encourages us to evaluate where we are in our faith and what things we might need to let go of. As we step into the new stages of our journey, let us be aware of the importance of putting away childish things. That might look like learning to communicate better in relationships, letting go of grievances, or seeking to see the world through the lens of love instead of judgment.
Context of 1 Corinthians 13:11
Understanding 1 Corinthians 13:11 fully requires examining its context within the larger narrative. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the church in Corinth, a community struggling with divisions, immorality, and disputes over spiritual gifts. It is in this tumultuous environment that Paul emphasizes the supremacy of love. He discusses the significance of love and how it should inform every aspect of our lives, especially within the community of believers.
In the context of his discussion on love, Paul wants to remind the Corinthian church that the vibrant, powerful spiritual gifts they desire are secondary to love, which is eternal. Practicing love between one another serves as a testament to our shared faith, reflecting the heart of the Gospel. The call to maturity is twofold: we are called to grow away from our childlike perspectives in our personal spiritual understanding and also reflect God’s love in our interactions with others.
When we view this verse in context, it gives us insight into what Paul is urging. He wishes to teach the Corinthians that simply possessing spiritual gifts does not mean a person is spiritually mature. Maturity expresses itself through love and care for others. It is easy to become enthralled with flashy spiritual experiences and overlook the simple, yet profound, call to embody love in our hearts.
Breaking Down the Key Parts of 1 Corinthians 13:11
To gain a better understanding of this passage, let’s break down the key phrases in 1 Corinthians 13:11. One is “I was a child.” This reference carries the physical and spiritual implications of growing up. We all begin our journeys with a limited perception of reality. “Spake as a child” reveals how our expressions reflect our understanding and maturity level. At child level, our words may lack depth and wisdom. The feelings and thoughts were naive and limited to our immediate surroundings.
However, the shift to “but when I became a man” represents a critical change. It indicates growth—a transformative journey where we not only age but also gather insights, experiences, and wisdom along the way. We can learn that maturity does not come with just age; it requires intentional reflection, learning, and application of the values of love and kindness that God teaches in Scripture.
Finally, “I put away childish things” carries an action associated with maturity. It symbolizes the conscious decision to release things that do not serve us anymore. This can relate to our priorities, relationships, or even our own internal conflicts. As we step forward in faith, we choose to let go of things that create discord, such as jealousy or pettiness. We instead embrace a new way of living characterized by grace, understanding, and love.
Lessons to Learn From 1 Corinthians 13:11
When we reflect on the deeper meanings within this verse, several key lessons emerge. One thing we can grasp is that growth and transformation are essential in our faith journeys. Just as our physical bodies grow over time, our spiritual beliefs and connections with God should also evolve. We cannot stay stagnant in our understanding but must continually seek to deepen our relationship with the Lord.
This leads us to a second lesson: abandoning behaviors that no longer serve us is crucial. It’s easy to become comfortable in our “childish” ways, holding onto grievances or misunderstanding. Yet, Paul encourages us to evaluate our lives and recognize when it is time to let go of these behaviors. No matter how tempting such distractions may be, we are called to act in love, patience, and maturity.
Finally, love remains at the heart of everything we do. In many ways, love is the ultimate indicator of spiritual maturity. In every interaction, we should strive to embody this love, showcasing it not just in our words but also in our actions. When we embody love, we reflect God’s grace to those around us—inviting them to experience the same relationship that we cherish.
Final Thoughts
In reflecting on 1 Corinthians 13:11, let’s acknowledge how beautiful the pathway of growth can be. Each stage of life, both physically and spiritually, brings opportunities for learning and understanding that enrich our lives. “Childish things” might include jealousy, grudges, or even ignorance in faith. We can learn to recognize these moments and actively choose to grow beyond them.
As we move forward, let us embrace our calling to maturity with joy and enthusiasm. It’s a journey that will lead us closer to God and bring us into deeper relationships with those we encounter. Whether it’s understanding how to communicate more lovingly or extending grace where we find it hard, we encourage one another. Embrace love, allow yourself to grow, and seek to leave behind the things that do not serve your faith well.
For those interested in digging deeper into other biblical teachings, explore more topics at this amazing resource Bible Repository. You might also find insights in related passages like Acts 14:16 or Acts 14:3 that can also inspire growth in your spiritual journey.