A Call to Spiritual Maturity

By Robb Brunansky

Published July 15, 2026

Immaturity is not merely a problem in society at large, but in the church as well. Churches are often filled with spiritual infants, which was true in Corinth when the apostle Paul addressed them.

Paul’s heart anguished when this church was not increasing in maturity. If these Christians could not grow spiritually, then no other problem among them could ever be fixed. The same is true of any church. If we want to solve issues of sin, marital strife, idolatry, misuses of spiritual gifts, and so on, churches must be filled with people making spiritual progress.

The Corinthians did not make spiritual progress because of their prideful hearts. They came together to show off their giftedness, to be praised by others, to gain status, to be admired, to have their own egos enlarged, and to have their itching ears tickled – but not to learn from God’s Word. They were like children who do what they do solely because they want to do it.

So, how do we move from spiritual infancy to adulthood? This passage (1 Corinthians 4:14-21) shows the way forward for Christians to advance in their spiritual walk. There are three steps here to assist believers grow to spiritual maturity.

First, if we want a greater spiritual maturity in our walks with Christ, we should heed biblical admonition (verses 14-15).

The Corinthians needed to not only hear what Paul said, but to put those principles into action.

Paul’s previous statements about the Corinthians being weak, infants, and nobodies were not said to beat them into despair. Instead, Paul sought to admonish them as his beloved children. After all, God had used his ministry to bring many of the Corinthian believers to faith in Christ. They had seen his love firsthand through his tireless work among them.

Paul’s goal, then, was not to shame the Corinthians, but to lovingly admonish them. The Greek word for admonish has the idea of persuading another with truthful reason to cease an improper course of conduct. It is often used in a negative context, warning one to stop doing something that will lead to disaster. It can also simply mean to instruct. For example, Paul used this term as a warning against a wrong way of thinking or living (Colossians 1:28). Church leaders have the job of admonishing the body of Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:12). Also, believers are to admonish one another in the body (Romans 15:14).

So, when Paul tells the Corinthians he is admonishing them, he is not doing anything extraordinary. Believers often get sideways or stuck spiritually in their walks, needing help to move toward maturity again, which is what Paul is doing for the Corinthians.

To show the Corinthians his motives are to help get them back on track, Paul highlights their special relationship. Paul had a unique partnership with the members of this church because he led them to Christ. He loved the Corinthians, as a father loves his own children.

How do we respond when the people who love us admonish us about concerns they see? Do we heed biblical admonition, or do we get defensive? If we get offended when someone points out our spiritual immaturities, we’ll never grow! Now, we shouldn’t listen to any and all criticism coming our way; however, when people God has placed in our lives in certain relationships and roles offer admonition, it is wise to listen and heed their words.

Second, we should imitate godly examples (verses 16-17).

The power of admonition hits hard when that person lives out the maturity we desire to attain. Paul has told the Corinthians how to live throughout this section of his letter – in humility, dependence on Christ and the gospel, reliance on the Spirit, and weakness.  Paul, though, has not merely uttered those truths from his ivory tower as great theoretical advice. Rather, he embodied these admonitions.

As their spiritual father, Paul pleads with the Corinthians to imitate him in his lack of concern for worldly status, prestige, power, riches, nobility, honor, and comforts, and to live their lives shaped solely by the word of the cross. All believers are challenged to let the cross shape our thoughts, priorities, resources, considerations, and responsibilities in our families, churches, and workplaces. For some, that calling might take them around the world as missionaries. For most Christians, however, that calling entails being faithful in the ordinary, mundane, normal tasks of everyday life for God’s glory.

Because Paul could not visit Corinth to embody this example, he sent Timothy. Timothy would teach the Corinthians what he shared in every church, because there was nothing unique about the instructions to this particular body of believers. Paul did not give the Corinthians any information that only applied to them, nor was he harder or easier on them than other churches. God’s standard is universal for every church.

Do we know people who are further along in spiritual maturity than us, and do we seek to imitate their gospel-shaped lives? Also, who are these individuals speaking into our lives? We can certainly learn from preachers we’ve never met, but the people we should want to imitate are those God has put in our lives, where we can directly observe how they live out their faith.

Third, we must pursue kingdom power (verses 18-21).

Paul still plans to visit Corinth, if the Lord wills, deal with anyone who continues to live for the flesh and abuse the church. However, Paul is probably not saying he will put on some kind of display of supernatural signs to manifest God’s power. Rather, he is referring to God’s power that changes lives. The Lord’s kingdom does not consist in words, talk, fancy speeches, or external displays of giftedness, but in the gospel-power of a transformed life. Paul desires to see the fruit of the talk.

Christians are easily content with words rather than kingdom power. We can relate to the Pharisees who outwardly looked clean, but inwardly were comprised of dead bones like whitewashed tombs. Many churches today are tragically full of words but devoid of power. Countless people at these churches are confirmed in their sins and told they saved because of a prayer or baptism, but they don’t really know Christ and on their way to destruction.

Because of this danger, true believers shouldn’t want preaching that entertains or makes us feel good, or programs that are inwardly devoid of power. We should instead crave nothing less than what the Spirit uses to transform us into Christlikeness. How do we know if a preacher is a powerful man of God? The answer is if his life is transformed by the message he preaches, and if the lives of his listeners are also being transformed. Transformation is kingdom power.

Paul ends this passage with a question, asking the Corinthians which path they would prefer. Would they want him to compel them to maturity with discipline? Or would they prefer to heed his words, move on from spiritual infancy, and enjoy a time of mutual affection and fellowship?

The same question is put before all Christians today. It’s not always a person who comes to discipline us, but the Lord, who often corrects His sons and daughters to get them moving in the right direction through providential events in our lives. However, our walk is much more enjoyable when we obey willingly and seek to grow to greater likeness to Jesus. May we all heed this call to spiritual maturity – both in ourselves and our church families.