1 Corinthians 13:11 A Multitude of Children & A Need for Men

1 Corinthians 13:11

A Multitude of Children & A Need for Men

(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.”

In this portion of chapter 13 in 1 Corinthians we see a conclusion to what is often referred to as the love chapter. Charity is delivered to us in the sincerest form “agape”, the sacrificial and giving love of Jesus Christ. Charity is the greatest even among faith and hope. All prophecies and gifts are only in part as we have a portion of what will fully be given to us in the glories of Heaven. When the perfection of new bodies is given to us in that holy resurrection, all partialities shall be gone. The mystery of Christ has been revealed to us, but the total depths of knowing God are withheld from full measure to us until we shall see Him for ourselves. Therefore, the example is used in this particular verse to show whatsoever be childlike or of the flesh shall be tossed aside when one becomes a man (as in maturity) or made perfect (as in the resurrection). The usage is linked with all previous verses to amplify the longevity of love and its importance in comparison to spiritual gifts (v.8-9).

The proper meaning of verse 11 is also to show the transition from childhood to maturity. It is clear that the two elements: childhood and manhood cannot be linked together simultaneously. For it saith, “when I became a man, I put away childish things.” A child speaks as a child, understands as a child, and thinks as a child. However, when one matures into manhood the entire framework transitions to speak as a man, understand as a man, and think as a man. One is not born into manhood. There is a great deal of dependence and learning that rests upon the responsibility of mothers and fathers. The Scripture gives sufficient layout for this God ordained process of maturity. In the account of creation, He institutes marriages and sanctifies it for a special purpose. Throughout The New Testament, the holiness of Biblical marriage is explained thoroughly and elevated even as fundamental to the great mystery of Christ and His Church. The Mosaic Law is filled with strict ordinances for children and parents. Ephesians 6:1-3 again instructs children to obey and honor their parents. Likewise, for the fathers to not provoke their children but to “bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” So, it cannot be stated that marriage, rearing of children, and proper maturity are impossible tasks. On the counter part, they are totally possible if Scripture was taught and obeyed within the homes of today.

Now, it is surely appropriate to examine the “Need of Men” from the starting point of marital and parental examination. This is where the responsibility does lie. Also, when we say “Need of Men” we speak to the men of sound faith and righteous living. Not as the men of Hollywood who are ladies’ men and are on the cover of magazines for possessing innumerable riches. We should also point out that there is a significant need for Godly women as well among the need for Godly men. However, for the purpose of this discussion let us look at how this issue takes place from the perspective of the young males of our day in two areas.

1.) The Daily Practices of Many Youth-

If we thoroughly examine the cultural and day to day life of Biblical History as well as the early days of our own country, we will find drastic difference in the daily practice compared to today. Young boys often took up the trade of their fathers. This meant a great deal of interaction with their father as they were reared up in the practices and knowledge of the trade soon to approach them. We also see that boys would take care of essential responsibilities at home while the father accomplished the days’ wages for the family. This was for the most part a necessity rather than a cultural desire to invest time to children as their development was crucial to the aid of the family as well as the continued life of the children. Much more could be said of the reality of such culture for young boys, but we can admittingly declare the difference. It seems that the young males of our day are free to explore hours of video games and online communications. How many teachers must deal with young students both male and female who cannot take notes during class without falling asleep? When the teacher investigates the child’s issue, a spurt of honesty arises in “I was up all night playing video games.” There are a host of elements that make up the thieves of time to young boys of the day. Of course, we cannot stereotype all male youth of our day. Yet, we can surely say the avenues of entertainment creep in numerous homes and diminish the essential components in a young man’s maturity.

2.) Company & Influence-

Proverbs tells the young man if he will be a man of understanding he “shall attain unto wise counsels:” (Proverbs 1:5b) Staying true to the perspective of the young boy, we must say briefly that a lack of Biblical instruction is the primary cause for this issue of famine in boys becoming men. Primarily, it is with the fathers or the lack thereof. Secondarily, it is with the local church. To keep young boys happy and “interactive” we place them among other young boys to make them happy. Where is the model and wise counsel for the young boy? It is nowhere. All that remains in that daily circle is boys continually learning how to act like boys until they are grown in the physical appearance of a man but have no Biblical character of manhood in them. Friendships are gifts from God. However, a young boy’s best friend cannot teach him the sound faith of Christ, to work with his hands, love a wife sacrificially, provide a precedent for raising children, integrity, stewardship, and the Biblical doctrines of manhood. What should we expect of the teenage boys whose eyes are either willingly or circumstantially fixated on the lifestyle of those who have the same level of maturity as themselves? He that walks with the wise shall become wise. He that walks with fools shall remain a fool.

Conclusion: The Need-

In the wickedness of such a dreadful age among Israel, God “sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30) We see the examinations of psychologists and sociologists take center stage in portraying to us the solutions of many of the universal issues. Those of us that have been born again by The Holy Spirit have the discernment to see that there is a lack of men of sound faith and Christian practice. We need men who have put away the childish things of the flesh and who have been quickened by The Spirit to righteousness in order that they may lead Godly homes that produce the same.

Sources Cited

The Holy Bible Authorized King James Version. R.L. Allan & Son Publishers.