What does "putting away childish things" mean in the context of Christian growth? Immediate Literary Context First Corinthians 13 forms the center of Paul’s three-chapter discussion of pneumatic gifts (12–14). Chapters 12 and 14 answer Corinthian confusion about tongues, prophecy, and order; chapter 13 insists that agapē is the indispensable measure of true spirituality. Verse 11 stands between “love never fails” (v. 8) and “now we see in a mirror dimly” (v. 12). Paul’s autobiographical illustration acts as a hinge: childish immaturity corresponds to the Corinthians’ self-focused use of gifts, while adulthood anticipates mature love that will reach its consummation when we see Christ face to face. Historical and Cultural Background Corinth was a prosperous port where eloquence, status, and ecstatic religion flourished. Archaeology has uncovered bronze “Corinthian mirrors” whose polished surfaces reflected only blurred images—an apt metaphor for partial insight (v. 12). Roman society also marked puberty as the passage from puer to vir with public rites that included putting away the toga praetexta for the toga virilis. Paul’s readers would instinctively connect “setting aside” (katargeō) with an irreversible rite of passage. Distinction Between Childlike Faith and Childish Ways Jesus commends childlike trust (Matthew 18:3), but denounces childish unbelief (Matthew 11:16–17). Scripture therefore contrasts: • Childlike: humility, dependence, wonder. • Childish: instability, self-absorption, quarrelsomeness (1 Corinthians 3:1–3). Maturity retains the first and abandons the second. Childish Things Identified in Corinth 1. Factionalism (1 Corinthians 1:12). 2. Carnal jealousy (3:3). 3. Spectacular gifts prized over edifying ones (14:1–12). 4. Lawsuits among believers (6:1–8). 5. An unloving observance of the Lord’s Table (11:17–22). All are symptoms of a self-referential mindset, alien to agapē. Biblical Theology of Maturity Old Testament: Wisdom literature contrasts the “simple” with the “prudent” (Proverbs 1:4). Covenant life aimed at growing from naïveté to fear-of-Yahweh wisdom. New Testament: المسيح (Christ) is the telos of maturity (Colossians 1:28). The Spirit moves believers from glory to glory (2 Corinthians 3:18). Paul’s Letters: He labels infant believers “fleshly, not spiritual” (1 Corinthians 3:1) and prays that churches grow into “the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13). Stages of Christian Growth 1. Regeneration—new birth (John 3:3). 2. Infancy—desire for “pure spiritual milk” (1 Peter 2:2). 3. Adolescence—exercise of discernment (Hebrews 5:14). 4. Adulthood—agapē as default motive (1 Corinthians 13:4–8). 5. Glorification—perfect knowledge and love (v. 12). Putting Away Childish Things: Practical Dimensions Intellectual: Replace shallow proof-texts with robust biblical theology; submit every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Moral: Forsake impulsive passions; pursue holiness without which no one will see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). Emotional: Abandon hypersensitivity and narcissism; cultivate the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23). Relational: Quit sectarian echo-chambers; serve the body with Spirit-given gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). Missional: Move from consumer Christianity to ambassadorial responsibility (2 Corinthians 5:20). Means of Maturity Scripture: “Sanctify them by the truth” (John 17:17). Manuscript evidence—over 5,800 Greek NT witnesses—confirms the text believers study is trustworthy; thus submission to its authority is non-negotiable. Prayer: Communion with the risen Christ reorients desires (Colossians 4:2). Fellowship: “Iron sharpens iron” churches confront blind spots (Hebrews 10:24–25). Sacraments: Baptism and the Lord’s Supper rehearse identity and hope (Romans 6:4; 1 Corinthians 11:26). Discipline & Suffering: Trials mature perseverance (James 1:2–4). Gifts Governed by Love: Spirit endowments remain, but love regulates their practice (1 Corinthians 14:26). Eschatological Perspective Our partial knowledge, like childhood, will be eclipsed when Christ returns. The mirror image (v. 12) points to resurrection consummation (1 Corinthians 15:51–57). Hope therefore fuels present growth: “Everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself” (1 John 3:3). Patristic and Historical Witness • John Chrysostom called love “the queen of virtues” that renders lesser graces child’s play. • Augustine wrote, “In heaven faith will be replaced by sight, hope by possession, but love will increase.” • The Didache instructs catechumens to leave “double-mindedness,” echoing Paul’s imagery of transition. Psychological and Behavioral Insights Empirical studies affirm that disciplined habits rewrite neural pathways (neuroplasticity); Scripture anticipated this by calling believers to “train yourself for godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7). Identity centered on adoption by God yields secure attachment, displacing childish insecurity. Consequences of Failing to Mature Stunted believers remain susceptible to doctrinal winds (Ephesians 4:14), moral collapse (1 Corinthians 5:1), and relational schisms (Philippians 4:2). Immaturity also weakens witness—outsiders “speak evil of the way” when Christians behave like toddlers (cf. Acts 19:23). Contemporary Illustrations and Testimonies Former gang members who encountered Christ report that immersion in Scripture and accountable fellowship broke cycles of retaliation. Medical missionaries note that converts embracing prayer and obedience often outgrow addictive behaviors, confirmed by longitudinal studies in faith-based rehabilitation centers. Answering Common Objections Objection: “Maturity stifles spontaneity.” Response: Spirit-governed self-control actually liberates believers from slavery to impulse (Galatians 5:1). Objection: “Childish innocence is preferable to adult complexity.” Response: Scripture distinguishes purity of heart from naiveté; the mature can “be innocent as doves yet shrewd as serpents” (Matthew 10:16). Objection: “Love alone matters; doctrine is childish.” Response: Paul demands both love and truth; without knowledge love misfires (Philippians 1:9). Summary and Call to Action Putting away childish things is a Spirit-empowered, Scripture-saturated progression from self-centered immaturity to Christ-centered maturity. It involves decisive renunciation of petty speech, shallow thought, and impulsive reasoning, replaced by robust theology, holy living, and sacrificial love. Because the risen Christ has secured our future, believers can grow up into Him now—until the day childlike wonder meets adult perfection in the full light of His face. |
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