1 Corinthians 13:11
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
This verse uses the metaphor of childhood to describe spiritual maturation. Paul’s audience is the church in a culturally sophisticated, competitive city. The comparison highlights a shift from immature, self-centered patterns to mature, disciplined ways of living. “When I became a man” signals a transition from dependence on childish surrogates (tactically, the Corinthian emphasis on gifts and status) to a mature, responsible faith. The verse is not a rebuke of playfulness or growth but a corrective to prioritize deeper, enduring realities over flashy signs. Practical context: in communal life, a mature believer governs desires, fears, and impulses with wisdom. The exhortation to lay aside childish things aligns with Paul’s broader call to holiness, unity, and sacrificial love within the church.
The verse speaks to sanctification—the ongoing process of becoming more like Christ. It underscores discernment between elementary spiritual impulses and mature, Christlike judgment. It also reflects the authority of Christian maturity over mere possession of gifts. Finally, it sets a trajectory: growth includes shedding pride, vanity, and rudimentary patterns in favor of spiritual depth and self-control.
In practice, evaluate habits that mirror childishness—hot tempers, easily provoked pride, seeking wins over relationships. Embrace practices that cultivate maturity: patient listening, disciplined prayer, humble service, and accountability relationships. If you’re leading a group, model restraint and encourage others toward steadier, long-term commitments rather than flashy achievements. In family life, teach children to value character over applause. When debates arise, choose to grow rather than dominate.
Cross-References: Hebrews 5:12–14; Ephesians 4:13–16; Philippians 3:12–15; Romans 12:2; Colossians 3:12–14