1 Corinthians 3:4

4 For while one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal?

1 Corinthians 3:4 Meaning and Commentary

1 Corinthians 3:4

For while one saith, I am of Paul
This shows what their envying and strife, and divisions were about, and from whence they sprung; and which serve, to strengthen the proof, and support the charge of carnality brought against them; for when one sort made a party for Paul, and set up him as their minister above all others; and said

another, I am of Apollos,
preferring him for his eloquence above Paul, or any other preacher, as appears from ( 1 Corinthians 1:12 ) there was a third sort for Cephas, whom they cried up as superior to the other two, or any other man; and a fourth were for Christ, and despised all ministers whatever:

are ye not carnal?
all this was a demonstration of it: they could never clear themselves from it, they must be convicted in their own consciences of it; to which the apostle appeals: the Alexandrian copy and the Vulgate Latin and Ethiopic versions read, "are ye not men?"

1 Corinthians 3:4 In-Context

2 I have fed you with milk, and not with solid food, for until now ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.

3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions, are ye not carnal and walk as men?

4 For while one says, I am of Paul, and another, I am of Apollos, are ye not carnal?

5 Who then is Paul? and who is Apollos? but servants by whom ye believed, each one according to that which the Lord gave.

6 I have planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.