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.
Original Language Analysis
νηπίου
a child
G3516
νηπίου
a child
Strong's:
G3516
Word #:
3 of 20
not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
4 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
νηπίου
a child
G3516
νηπίου
a child
Strong's:
G3516
Word #:
5 of 20
not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
7 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
νηπίου
a child
G3516
νηπίου
a child
Strong's:
G3516
Word #:
8 of 20
not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian
ἐφρόνουν
I understood
G5426
ἐφρόνουν
I understood
Strong's:
G5426
Word #:
9 of 20
to exercise the mind, i.e., entertain or have a sentiment or opinion; by implication, to be (mentally) disposed (more or less earnestly in a certain d
ὡς
as
G5613
ὡς
as
Strong's:
G5613
Word #:
10 of 20
which how, i.e., in that manner (very variously used, as follows)
νηπίου
a child
G3516
νηπίου
a child
Strong's:
G3516
Word #:
11 of 20
not speaking, i.e., an infant (minor); figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature christian
ἐλογιζόμην
I thought
G3049
ἐλογιζόμην
I thought
Strong's:
G3049
Word #:
12 of 20
to take an inventory, i.e., estimate (literally or figuratively)
γέγονα
I became
G1096
γέγονα
I became
Strong's:
G1096
Word #:
15 of 20
to cause to be ("gen"-erate), i.e., (reflexively) to become (come into being), used with great latitude (literal, figurative, intensive, etc.)
κατήργηκα
I put away
G2673
κατήργηκα
I put away
Strong's:
G2673
Word #:
17 of 20
to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively
τὰ
G3588
τὰ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
18 of 20
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
1 Corinthians 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.Galatians 4:1Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all;Ecclesiastes 11:10Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity.
Historical Context
Paul repeatedly chastises the Corinthians for spiritual immaturity: "I could not address you as spiritual but as fleshly, as infants (nēpioi) in Christ" (3:1). Their jealousy, strife (3:3), arrogance (4:18), tolerance of immorality (5:2), lawsuits (6:1), and chaotic worship (14:20, "do not be children in your thinking") all evidence childishness. Paul calls them to adult maturity marked by love, not competitive displays of gifts.
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might your approach to spiritual gifts, worship preferences, or theological debates reflect childish rather than mature thinking?
- How does Paul's analogy challenge the common assumption that spectacular gifts are marks of spiritual maturity rather than spiritual infancy?
- What 'childish things' in your faith—whether theological immaturity, relational selfishness, or spiritual consumerism—might God be calling you to 'put away'?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child (ὅτε ἤμην νήπιος, ἐλάλουν ὡς νήπιος, ἐφρόνουν ὡς νήπιος, ἐλογιζόμην ὡς νήπιος, hote ēmēn nēpios, elaloun hōs nēpios, ephronoun hōs nēpios, elogizomēn hōs nēpios)—Nēpios means infant or immature child. Paul uses three verbs to encompass all aspects of childish thinking: speaking (communication), understanding (comprehension), and reasoning (logic). Children's cognitive abilities are limited—they think concretely, not abstractly; they're self-focused, not other-aware; they lack perspective and wisdom.
But when I became a man, I put away childish things (ὅτε γέγονα ἀνήρ, κατήργηκα τὰ τοῦ νηπίου, hote gegona anēr, katērgēka ta tou nēpiou)—Anēr is adult male, mature man. Katargeō (the same verb as verses 8, 10) means "I abolished, rendered inoperative." Maturity requires putting away not just childish actions but childish ways of thinking. The perfect tense katērgēka emphasizes a completed action with ongoing results—childishness was decisively left behind.
The analogy extends verse 10's argument: just as childhood gives way to adulthood, so this age's partial gifts will give way to eternity's completeness. The Corinthians' obsession with showy gifts is spiritual infantilism; maturity pursues love.