C. The Problem (2:6-3:4)

Paul’s diagnosis of the Corinthians' problem challenges their arrogant selfestimate by means of irony. They are not as mature or spiritual as they imagine. Paul should not be taken to imply that there are two orders of Christians: the mature (2:6) or spiritual (3:1), and the worldly or infants (3:1). He apparently adopts Corinthian language here to challenge their arrogant self-image. In the mystery religions the word mature (teleios, “perfect”) referred to the fully initiated as opposed to merely casual adherents (see Php 3:12-15). The claim to be spiritual may have involved an inflated notion of one’s status and security as a Christian, like the one who mistakenly “thinks he knows something” (1Co 8:2) or who thinks he is standing firm (10:12; see Gal 6:1-5).