1 CORINTHIANS 14:20 — KING JAMES VERSION 0
“Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.”
Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults — Paul reframes the Corinthians' glossolalia-enthusiasm as immaturity. Childish thinking pursues private spiritual thrills. Adult thinking asks: does this build the body? The call to grow up morally while remaining innocent toward evil invokes both moral seriousness and simplicity.
Church Fathers on 1 Corinthians 14:20
As might be expected, after his long argument and demonstration he adopts a more vehement style and abundance of rebuke; and mentions an example suited to the subject. For children too are wont to gape after trifles and to be fluttered, but of things very great they have not so much admiration. Since then these also having the gift of tongues, which was the lowest of all, thought they had the whole; therefore he says, “Be not children,” i.e., be not without understanding…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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