1 Corinthians 3:2 - Exposition

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" ( תוקונית ) 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.