Definition and Characteristics of a Carnal Christian
The concept of a "carnal Christian" is rooted in biblical passages that describe believers who remain immature or unspiritual in their faith. The term "carnal" is derived from the Greek word "sarkikos," meaning "fleshly" or "pertaining to the flesh" [1]. In 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, the Apostle Paul addresses the Corinthian church, stating that he could not speak to them as spiritual people, but rather as carnal or fleshly, because they were still immature in their faith [3].
According to Paul, carnal Christians are characterized by their inability to receive or understand spiritual truths. They are like infants in Christ, needing milk rather than solid food (1 Corinthians 3:2). This condition is marked by jealousy, strife, and divisions within the church, as they focus on human leaders rather than Christ (1 Corinthians 3:3-4) [3].
The carnal mind is described as being in enmity against God, unable to be subject to His law (Romans 8:7). This mindset is not just a neutral or benign state, but rather an active opposition to God's will and purposes [2, 6]. John Gill notes that the carnal mind "reasons against" God's being, forms unworthy notions of Him, and endeavors to erase Him from memory [2]. Adam Clarke describes it as "irreconcilable and implacable hatred" towards God [6].
The characteristics of a carnal Christian include a focus on earthly and sinful things, a lack of spiritual discernment, and a failure to live a life that is subject to God's law. They are "strangers" to God, Christ, and the Spirit, lacking true knowledge, fear, and love of God (Ezekiel 44:7) [4]. The carnal mind is associated with death, as it is opposed to the life-giving Spirit of God (Romans 8:6) [5].
In the view of some early Church Fathers, such as Augustine, the carnal Christian is one who, despite being part of the Church, lacks the Spirit and is characterized by a natural, unspiritual understanding. Augustine cites Jude's declaration that those who separate themselves are "natural, having not the Spirit" (Jude 19), and Paul's warning that the natural man cannot perceive the things of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:14) [7].
The concept of a carnal Christian highlights the importance of spiritual growth and maturity in the life of a believer. It emphasizes the need for Christians to move beyond a superficial or fleshly understanding of their faith and to cultivate a deeper, more spiritual relationship with God.
The historical development of this doctrine is closely tied to the early Christian Church's struggles with divisions and immaturity. The patristic writers, such as Augustine, grappled with the issue of carnality within the Church, emphasizing the need for spiritual discernment and growth.
The understanding of a carnal Christian remains a significant aspect of Christian theology, with various traditions interpreting and applying it in different ways. While some traditions view carnal Christians as believers who are immature or unspiritual, others see them as potentially unregenerate or lacking true faith. The biblical passages and patristic writings continue to shape the ongoing discussion and debate surrounding this concept.
The biblical warnings against carnality serve as a reminder of the importance of pursuing spiritual maturity and living a life that is subject to God's will. As the Apostle Paul exhorts, believers must strive to be "spiritual," living by the Spirit and not gratifying the desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-25).
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Carnal — Unconverted men are so called (1 Cor. 3:3). They are represented as of a "carnal mind, which is enmity against God" (Rom. 8:6, 7). Enjoyments that minister to the wants and desires of man's animal nature are so called (Rom. 15:27; 1 Cor. 9:11). The ceremonial of the Mosaic law is spoken of as "carnal," because it related to things outward, the bodies of men and of animals, and the purification of the flesh (Heb. 7:16; 9:10). The weapons of Christian warfare are "not carnal", that is, they are not of man's device, nor are wielded by human power (2 Cor. 10:4).”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God,.... These words contain a reason why the issue of carnal mindedness is death; because the carnal mind, the wisdom of the flesh, is not only an enemy, but enmity itself against God: against his being; it reasons against it; it wishes he was not; it forms unworthy notions of him; thinks him such an one as itself; and endeavours to bury him in forgetfulness, and erase out of its mind all memorials of him: it is at enmity against his perfections; either denying his omniscience; or arraigning his justice and faithfulness; or de”
- 1 Corinthians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Corinthians 3 (introduction): PAUL COULD NOT SPEAK TO THEM OF DEEP SPIRITUAL TRUTHS, AS THEY WERE CARNAL, CONTENDING FOR THEIR SEVERAL TEACHERS; THESE ARE NOTHING BUT WORKERS FOR GOD, TO WHOM THEY MUST GIVE ACCOUNT IN THE DAY OF FIERY JUDGMENT. THE HEARERS ARE GOD'S TEMPLE, WHICH THEY MUST NOT DEFILE BY CONTENTIONS FOR TEACHERS, WHO, AS WELL AS ALL THINGS, ARE THEIRS, BEING CHRIST'S. (1Co. 3:1-23) And I--that is, as the natural (animal) man cannot receive, so I also could not speak unto you the deep things of God, as I would to the spiritual; but I was compelled”
- Ezekiel (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ezekiel 44:7: In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers,.... Unregenerate men, who are in a state of alienation and estrangement to divine and spiritual things: strangers to God; to the true knowledge of him in Christ; to the fear and love of God; to the true grace of God in conversion; and to communion with him: strangers to Christ, to his person and offices; to the way of peace, life, and salvation by him; to his righteousness; to faith in him, love of him, and fellowship with him: strangers to the Spirit; to his person, to regeneration and sanctification by him; to th”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:6: For to be carnally minded is death,.... The phrase the apostle here uses, includes the best part of corrupt man; the mind, the understanding, the judgment, the will, the affections, the thoughts, the reason, and reasonings of man; and may be rendered, "the wisdom", or "prudence of the flesh"; so called, to distinguish it from that wisdom which is from above; from that natural and civil wisdom, which is laudable; and it shows that the wisest part of man is but carnal: all sorts of persons destitute of the grace of God are concerned herein; or this is applicable to them ”
- Romans (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Romans 8:7: Because the carnal mind is enmity against God - Because it is a carnal mind, and relishes earthly and sinful things, and lives in opposition to the pure and holy law of God: therefore, it is enmity against God; it is irreconcilable and implacable hatred. It is not subject to the law of God - It will come under no obedience; for it is sin, and the very principle of rebellion; and therefore it cannot be subject, nor subjected; for it is essential to sin to show itself in rebellion; and when it ceases to rebel, it ceases to be sin. From this we learn that the design of ”
- Schaff ANF/NPNF (Patristic) “NPNF1 Vol 6: Augustine — Homilies on the Gospels — AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST." (part 26): Church have not this Spirit, the Apostle Jude has declared most plainly, saying, "Who separate themselves, natural, having not the Spirit."(13) Whence the Apostle Paul reproving those even in the Church itself, who by the names of men, though having a place in her unity, were raising a kind of schism, says amongst other things, "But the natural man perceiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."(14) This sho”