| Audio Cross Study Comm Greek Verse (Click for Chapter)New International VersionWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.New Living TranslationWhen I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things.English Standard VersionWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.Berean Standard BibleWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.Berean Literal BibleWhen I was a child, I was speaking like a child, I was thinking like a child, I was reasoning like a child; when I became a man, I did away with the things of the child.King James BibleWhen 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.New King James VersionWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.New American Standard BibleWhen I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.NASB 1995When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.NASB 1977 When I was a child, I used to speak as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.Legacy Standard Bible When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child. When I became a man, I did away with childish things.Amplified BibleWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things.Christian Standard BibleWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things.Holman Christian Standard BibleWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put aside childish things. American Standard VersionWhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.Contemporary English VersionWhen we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. English Revised VersionWhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.GOD'S WORD® TranslationWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became an adult, I no longer used childish ways.Good News TranslationWhen I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. International Standard VersionWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up my childish ways. NET BibleWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. But when I became an adult, I set aside childish ways.New Heart English BibleWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become an adult, I have put away childish things.Webster's Bible TranslationWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.Weymouth New TestamentWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, felt like a child, reasoned like a child: when I became a man, I put from me childish ways.Majority Text TranslationsMajority Standard BibleWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways.World English BibleWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. Literal TranslationsLiteral Standard VersionWhen I was a child, I was speaking as a child, I was thinking as a child, I was reasoning as a child, and when I have become a man, I have made useless the things of the child;Berean Literal BibleWhen I was a child, I was speaking like a child, I was thinking like a child, I was reasoning like a child; when I became a man, I did away with the things of the child.Young's Literal Translation When I was a babe, as a babe I was speaking, as a babe I was thinking, as a babe I was reasoning, and when I have become a man, I have made useless the things of the babe;Smith's Literal TranslationWhen I was a child, as a child I spake, as a child I thought, as a child I reckoned: and when I had become a man, I left unemployed the things of a child.Catholic TranslationsDouay-Rheims BibleWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. But, when I became a man, I put away the things of a child. Catholic Public Domain VersionWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, I understood like a child, I thought like a child. But when I became a man, I put aside the things of a child.New American BibleWhen I was a child, I used to talk as a child, think as a child, reason as a child; when I became a man, I put aside childish things.New Revised Standard VersionWhen I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways.Translations from AramaicLamsa BibleWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.Aramaic Bible in Plain EnglishWhen I was a child, I was speaking as a child, I was led as a child, I was thinking as a child, but when I became a man, I ceased these childish things.NT TranslationsAnderson New TestamentWhen I was a child, I spoke as a child, I had the mind of a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.Godbey New TestamentWhen I was an infant, I talked like an infant, I thought like an infant, I reasoned like an infant: when I became a man, I put away the things of the infant.Haweis New TestamentWhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I grew a man, I put away childish things.Mace New Testamentwhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside my childish ways.Weymouth New TestamentWhen I was a child, I talked like a child, felt like a child, reasoned like a child: when I became a man, I put from me childish ways.Worrell New TestamentWhen I was a child, I was wont to talk as a child, to think as a child, to reason as a child; since I have become a man, I have done away with the things of the child;Worsley New TestamentWhen I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned as a child: but when I became a man, I laid aside childish things.Additional Translations ...Audio BibleContextLove…10but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away. 11When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. 12Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.…Berean Standard Bible · DownloadCross ReferencesEphesians 4:14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.Hebrews 5:12-14Although by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to reteach you the basic principles of God’s word. You need milk, not solid food! / For everyone who lives on milk is still an infant, inexperienced in the message of righteousness. / But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.1 Peter 2:2Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation,Philippians 3:15All of us who are mature should embrace this point of view. And if you think differently about some issue, God will reveal this to you as well.Galatians 4:1-3What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he is the owner of everything. / He is subject to guardians and trustees until the date set by his father. / So also, when we were children, we were enslaved under the basic principles of the world.1 Corinthians 14:20Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.Romans 8:5-6Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. / The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace,Colossians 3:10and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.2 Peter 3:18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.James 1:4Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.Proverbs 4:7Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.Isaiah 28:9Whom is He trying to teach? To whom is He explaining His message? To infants just weaned from milk? To babies removed from the breast?Ecclesiastes 11:10So banish sorrow from your heart, and cast off pain from your body, for youth and vigor are fleeting.Psalm 131:2Surely I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with his mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me.Job 32:7-9I thought that age should speak, and many years should teach wisdom. / But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding. / It is not only the old who are wise, or the elderly who understand justice.Treasury of Scripture When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. I spake. 1 Corinthians 3:1,2 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ… 1 Corinthians 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men. Ecclesiastes 11:10 Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. thought. Jump to PreviousBabe Belonged Child Child's Feelings Felt Language Reason Reasoned Speak Speaking Talked Think Thinking Thought Understood Use Used Useless WaysJump to NextBabe Belonged Child Child's Feelings Felt Language Reason Reasoned Speak Speaking Talked Think Thinking Thought Understood Use Used Useless Ways1 Corinthians 131. All gifts,3. however excellent, are of no worth without love.4. The praises thereof,13. as love is greatest before hope and faith.| Study Bible | Book ◦ Chapter |
When I was a childThis phrase introduces the metaphor of spiritual immaturity. In biblical times, childhood was a period of learning and growth, often marked by a lack of understanding and experience. The Apostle Paul uses this imagery to describe the early stages of spiritual development. In Jewish culture, a child was not held to the same standards as an adult, reflecting a time of innocence and limited responsibility. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of growth and maturity in faith, as seen in Hebrews 5:12-14, where believers are encouraged to move beyond spiritual infancy.I talked like a childSpeech is a primary indicator of maturity. In the ancient world, a child's speech was simple and often self-centered, lacking the depth and wisdom expected of an adult. This reflects the early Christian's understanding of spiritual truths, which may be superficial or incomplete. James 3:2 highlights the importance of mature speech as a sign of spiritual growth, emphasizing the need for believers to control their tongues as they mature in faith. I thought like a childThinking like a child suggests a limited understanding and perspective. In the Greco-Roman context, children were not expected to engage in complex reasoning or decision-making. This phrase underscores the need for believers to develop a mature understanding of God's will and purpose. Romans 12:2 calls for the renewal of the mind, urging Christians to move beyond childish thinking to discern God's perfect will. I reasoned like a childReasoning involves the ability to process information and make judgments. In the biblical context, a child's reasoning is often simplistic and self-focused. Paul contrasts this with the mature reasoning expected of believers, who are called to discern spiritual truths and apply them wisely. This echoes 1 Corinthians 14:20, where Paul urges the church to be mature in their thinking, avoiding the pitfalls of childish reasoning. When I became a manThis phrase marks the transition from spiritual infancy to maturity. In Jewish tradition, reaching adulthood was a significant milestone, often marked by a bar mitzvah, symbolizing the assumption of religious and moral responsibilities. Paul uses this cultural understanding to illustrate the believer's journey toward spiritual maturity, where one takes on the full responsibilities of faith and discipleship. I set aside childish waysSetting aside childish ways signifies a deliberate choice to embrace maturity. In the early church, this meant moving beyond elementary teachings and embracing the deeper truths of the gospel. Ephesians 4:14-15 encourages believers to grow in every way into Christ, leaving behind the instability of spiritual childhood. This transformation is a key aspect of Christian discipleship, reflecting the call to become more like Christ in character and conduct.Persons / Places / Events1. Paul the ApostleThe author of 1 Corinthians, Paul is addressing the church in Corinth, providing guidance on spiritual maturity and love.2. CorinthA major city in ancient Greece, known for its diverse population and moral challenges, which Paul addresses in his letters.3. The Corinthian ChurchThe recipients of Paul's letter, struggling with issues of division, immorality, and spiritual immaturity.Teaching PointsSpiritual MaturityPaul emphasizes the importance of growing in faith and understanding, moving beyond immature ways of thinking and behaving.Transformation in ChristThe transition from childhood to adulthood in faith signifies a transformation that should be evident in our actions and thoughts.Setting Aside Childish WaysBelievers are called to examine their lives for areas where immaturity persists and to actively pursue growth and maturity in Christ.The Role of Love in MaturityIn the context of 1 Corinthians 13, love is the ultimate expression of spiritual maturity, guiding our actions and interactions with others.Continuous GrowthSpiritual maturity is a lifelong journey, requiring continual learning, reflection, and application of God's Word.Bible Study Questions and Answers1. What is the meaning of 1 Corinthians 13:11?2. How does 1 Corinthians 13:11 encourage spiritual maturity in daily life? 3. What does "put aside childish ways" mean for personal spiritual growth? 4. How can Ephesians 4:14-15 deepen understanding of 1 Corinthians 13:11? 5. In what ways can you "reason like an adult" in faith practices? 6. How can you apply "when I became a man" to current challenges?7. How does 1 Corinthians 13:11 relate to spiritual maturity in a believer's life? 8. What does "putting away childish things" mean in the context of Christian growth? 9. How does 1 Corinthians 13:11 challenge our understanding of personal transformation? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Corinthians 13?11. In 1 Corinthians 13:11, what historical or archaeological evidence exists to support the idea of spiritual maturity beyond cultural norms of the time? 12. What does "put away childish things" mean?13. What does 'put away childish things' mean?14. What is the concept of an 'inner child'?What Does 1 Corinthians 13:11 MeanWhen I was a child Paul begins with an honest admission of an earlier stage of life. Childhood is real, God-given, and marked by dependence and growth. Scripture cherishes children (Psalm 127:3; Mark 10:14), yet also shows that childhood is not the goal but a season that should lead to maturity (Ephesians 4:14). In context, Paul is comparing the present life of partial understanding to the future perfection believers will enjoy with Christ (1 Corinthians 13:10). I talked like a child Speech is the first evidence Paul cites. Children speak sincerely but limitedly. • Their words often center on self and immediate needs. • They lack discernment and restraint. James 3:2 notes, “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man.” Paul’s point: immature love shows up in immature speech—self-promoting, impatient, or ungracious words (contrast 1 Corinthians 13:4–5). Growth in Christ transforms the tongue into an instrument of edification (Ephesians 4:29). I thought like a child Thought life shapes everything else (Proverbs 23:7). A child’s thoughts are fragmented and short-sighted. Likewise, believers who cling to jealousy or pride (1 Corinthians 3:1–3) reveal childish thinking. Romans 12:2 calls for the renewing of the mind so that we may “approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” Mature love thinks beyond self and beyond the moment. I reasoned like a child Reasoning involves conclusions and judgments. Children reason with limited data and often from emotion. In spiritual terms, this shows up as: • Misreading trials as God’s displeasure (Hebrews 12:5–6). • Preferring visible gifts over unseen virtues (1 Corinthians 12:22–24). Mature reasoning weighs everything against God’s unchanging truth (2 Timothy 3:16–17) and eternity (2 Corinthians 4:18). When I became a man Paul signals a decisive transition. Maturity is not accidental; it comes through intentional yielding to the Spirit (Galatians 5:16) and consistent exposure to Scripture (1 Peter 2:2). The perfect “man” ultimately portrayed is Christ Himself (Ephesians 4:13). Until we see Him face to face (1 John 3:2), we press on toward that standard (Philippians 3:12–14). I set aside childish ways Growth requires putting off as well as putting on (Colossians 3:8–10). Paul’s wording shows purposeful renunciation: • Replacing immature speech with truth in love (Ephesians 4:15). • Trading shallow thoughts for Christ-centered meditation (Philippians 4:8). • Abandoning self-focused reasoning for humble, sacrificial love (John 13:34). The Holy Spirit enables this exchange (2 Corinthians 3:18). summary 1 Corinthians 13:11 contrasts childish and mature love. Childishness speaks, thinks, and reasons from a limited, self-centered perspective. Maturity, modeled by Christ, displays controlled speech, renewed thoughts, and sound reasoning rooted in Scripture. Paul urges believers to embrace the Spirit-led process of setting aside childish ways, growing up into the fullness of love that will one day be perfected when we see the Lord face to face.Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(11) When I was a child.--The natural childhood and manhood of this life are analogous to the spiritual childhood of this life and the spiritual manhood of the life to come. I understood as a child, I thought as a child.--The first word expresses mere simple apprehension, the second word implies active intellectual exertion. It has been suggested that the three words here used refer back respectively to the gifts previously mentioned. "I spoke" corresponds to the "tongues," "understood" to the "prophecy," and "I reasoned" to the "knowledge." Without intending any such very definite correspondence of these three expressions, the Apostle probably naturally made the points of analogy correspond in number with what they were intended to illustrate. But when I became a man.--Better, but now that I have become a man I have given up the ways of a child. The point brought out is his present state as a man, and not, as the English version might seem to imply, some fixed point of transition in his past history. The contrast he seeks to make clear is between two states of life. Pulpit CommentaryVerse 11. - I understood as a child, I thought as a child; I felt as a child, I reasoned as a child. But when I became a man, I put away childish things; now that I am become a man, I have done away with childish things. No specific time at which he put away childish things is alluded to, but he means that "manhood" is a state in which childishness should have become impossible. Parallel Commentaries ...GreekWhenὍτε (Hote)AdverbStrong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.I wasἤμην (ēmēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle - 1st Person SingularStrong's 1510: I am, exist. The first person singular present indicative; a prolonged form of a primary and defective verb; I exist.a child,νήπιος (nēpios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 3516: From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.I talkedἐλάλουν (elaloun)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person SingularStrong's 2980: A prolonged form of an otherwise obsolete verb; to talk, i.e. Utter words.likeὡς (hōs)AdverbStrong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.a child,νήπιος (nēpios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 3516: From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.I thoughtἐφρόνουν (ephronoun)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 1st Person SingularStrong's 5426: (a) I think, (b) I think, judge, (c) I direct the mind to, seek for, (d) I observe, (e) I care for. likeὡς (hōs)AdverbStrong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.a child,νήπιος (nēpios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 3516: From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.I reasonedἐλογιζόμην (elogizomēn)Verb - Imperfect Indicative Middle or Passive - 1st Person SingularStrong's 3049: To reckon, count, charge with; reason, decide, conclude; think, suppose. likeὡς (hōs)AdverbStrong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.a child.νήπιος (nēpios)Adjective - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 3516: From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.Whenὅτε (hote)AdverbStrong's 3753: When, at which time. From hos and te; at which too, i.e. When.I becameγέγονα (gegona)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person SingularStrong's 1096: A prolongation and middle voice form of a primary verb; to cause to be, i.e. to become, used with great latitude.a man,ἀνήρ (anēr)Noun - Nominative Masculine SingularStrong's 435: A male human being; a man, husband. A primary word; a man.I set asideκατήργηκα (katērgēka)Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person SingularStrong's 2673: From kata and argeo; to be entirely idle, literally or figuratively.childish ways.νηπίου (nēpiou)Adjective - Genitive Masculine SingularStrong's 3516: From an obsolete particle ne- and epos; not speaking, i.e. An infant; figuratively, a simple-minded person, an immature Christian.Links1 Corinthians 13:11 NIV1 Corinthians 13:11 NLT1 Corinthians 13:11 ESV1 Corinthians 13:11 NASB1 Corinthians 13:11 KJV1 Corinthians 13:11 BibleApps.com1 Corinthians 13:11 Biblia Paralela1 Corinthians 13:11 Chinese Bible1 Corinthians 13:11 French Bible1 Corinthians 13:11 Catholic BibleNT Letters: 1 Corinthians 13:11 When I was a child I spoke (1 Cor. 1C iC 1Cor i cor icor) |
