Sermons on 1 Corinthians 14:20
The various sermons below converge on the interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:20 as a call to a balanced Christian maturity that combines intellectual rigor with childlike innocence toward evil. They emphasize that true spiritual maturity involves thoughtful, rational engagement with faith rather than mere emotionalism or rote formalism. A common thread is the distinction Paul makes between being “infants in evil” and “mature in understanding,” which is unpacked to mean innocence from sin coupled with a robust, discerning mind. Several sermons use vivid analogies—such as the contrast between chaotic, sensation-driven worship and lifeless ritual, or the bank teller’s familiarity with genuine currency versus counterfeit bills—to illustrate how Christians should be deeply grounded in truth to recognize and resist error without becoming preoccupied with evil itself. Theologically, these messages highlight that intellectual maturity is not only a safeguard against deception but also an act of worship that honors God’s supremacy over the mind. Additionally, humility and self-forgetfulness emerge as key virtues tied to the “infants in evil” motif, with childlike qualities like lack of self-defense, absence of ambition, and forgiveness being presented as marks of true greatness in God’s kingdom.
Despite these shared emphases, the sermons diverge in their focal points and applications. Some stress the corporate dimension of maturity, warning against false teaching and spiritual deception within the church community, while others focus more on individual cognitive and spiritual disciplines. One approach cautions against an unhealthy curiosity about evil, advocating for a faith that immerses itself primarily in truth rather than error, whereas another sermon highlights the necessity of humility in interpersonal relationships as the primary “evil” to avoid. The degree of engagement with the original Greek text varies, with some sermons drawing directly on the nuances of the terms for “mature” and “infants,” while others build their arguments more from pastoral analogy and practical theology. Furthermore, the role of worship is framed differently: some see mature thinking as a prerequisite for authentic worship, while others view intellectual maturity itself as a form of worshipful obedience. The tension between childlike innocence and mature understanding is explored through different lenses—some emphasizing innocence as protective and others as a posture of trust and dependence on God.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Interpretation:
Engaging in True Worship: Spirit and Truth (Alistair Begg) interprets 1 Corinthians 14:20 as a call for rational, mature engagement in worship, emphasizing that true worship must involve the mind and not just emotions or sensations. Begg uniquely frames the verse as a corrective against both mindless enthusiasm and dead formalism, using the verse to argue that worship must be a conscious, thoughtful activity. He does not delve into Greek or Hebrew, but his analogy of the “carnival” (chaotic, sensation-driven worship) versus the “crematorium” (lifeless, purely intellectual worship) is a notable metaphor, positioning 1 Corinthians 14:20 as a scriptural anchor for balanced, mature worship that is both biblically grounded and intellectually engaged.
Embracing the Supremacy of God in Our Minds (Desiring God) offers a distinctive interpretation by using 1 Corinthians 14:20 as a foundational command for the Christian intellectual life. The sermon highlights the imperative to “be mature in your thinking” as a biblical mandate for robust, God-centered intellectual engagement, not just for scholars but for all believers. The preacher draws out the contrast in the verse—be infants in evil, but adults in thinking—to argue that Christian maturity requires both innocence regarding evil and rigorous, mature thought. This is further developed through a series of analogies about the life of the mind, including the faculties of observation, cogitation, imagination, and memorization, all under the supremacy of God. The sermon does not reference the Greek text directly but builds a comprehensive theology of the mind from the verse.
Equipping the Saints for Spiritual Maturity and Unity (Desiring God) interprets 1 Corinthians 14:20 as a direct exhortation against spiritual and intellectual immaturity within the church. The preacher uses the verse to distinguish between the commendable childlike qualities of trust and the negative aspects of childishness, such as vulnerability to deception and instability. The analogy of children being tossed by waves is used to illustrate the dangers of immature thinking, and the verse is positioned as a call for discernment and doctrinal stability. The sermon also explores the nuance that being “infants in evil” does not require experience with evil to avoid it, but rather a deliberate innocence, while maturity in thinking is essential for resisting false teaching.
Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith (SermonIndex.net) offers a distinctive interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:20 by focusing on the phrase "be infants in evil." The preacher uses the analogy of bank tellers who handle real currency to explain that Christians should immerse themselves in what is true and good, rather than spending excessive time studying or exposing evil, false religions, or heresies. The sermon argues that maturity in faith is not about being experts in evil or error, but about being so familiar with the truth that falsehood is immediately recognizable. This is illustrated through the story of bank workers who can spot counterfeit bills not by studying fakes, but by their deep familiarity with genuine currency. The preacher also discusses the balance between being informed for evangelistic or protective purposes and the danger of developing a "strange curiosity" about evil, which can be spiritually unprofitable.
Embracing Humility and Forgiveness in God's Kingdom (SermonIndex.net) interprets 1 Corinthians 14:20 by connecting the call to "be infants in evil" with humility and the absence of comparison or pride. The preacher draws a vivid analogy between a baby in a cradle—who has no thought of being better than another—and the Christian's call to humility. The sermon uniquely applies the verse to the context of church relationships, arguing that any attempt to exalt oneself or compare oneself to others is "evil" in the sense Paul means. The metaphor of the hidden maidservant is also used to illustrate the virtue of serving without seeking recognition, paralleling the childlike innocence in evil with humility and self-forgetfulness.
Childlike Humility: The True Greatness in Heaven (SermonIndex.net) provides a nuanced interpretation by distinguishing between areas where Christians should be childlike and where they should be mature, directly referencing the Greek text of 1 Corinthians 14:20. The preacher emphasizes that "in your understanding be mature" (using the Greek term for mature/teleioi) but "in evil be infants" (nepioi), and then unpacks what it means to be like a "one-week-old baby"—utterly innocent, without self-defense, ambition, or stored-up anger. The sermon is notable for its detailed list of childlike qualities, such as lack of self-defense, absence of offense, and no memory of past wrongs, and for its insistence that cleverness and intelligence are to be left at the door when approaching God and Scripture. The preacher also draws a direct line between Jesus' greatness and his childlike spirit, arguing that the greatest in the kingdom is the most childlike in innocence toward evil.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Theological Themes:
Engaging in True Worship: Spirit and Truth (Alistair Begg) introduces the theme that mature, rational thinking is not antithetical to spiritual worship but is essential for it. He adds the fresh angle that worship without intellectual engagement is susceptible to error and manipulation, and that the maturity called for in 1 Corinthians 14:20 is a safeguard against both emotional excess and sterile ritualism. Begg’s emphasis on preparation and concentration as prerequisites for worship is a nuanced application, suggesting that mature thinking involves intentionality before and during worship.
Embracing the Supremacy of God in Our Minds (Desiring God) presents the unique theological theme that the pursuit of intellectual maturity is itself an act of worship and a means of displaying the supremacy of God. The sermon develops the idea that God’s own mind is supremely focused on his glory, and thus, Christians are called to mirror this by making God supreme in their intellectual pursuits. The preacher’s argument that “thrilling truth in a boring way is sin” is a novel application, connecting the maturity of thought to the imaginative and creative expression of God’s truth.
Equipping the Saints for Spiritual Maturity and Unity (Desiring God) adds a distinct facet by connecting 1 Corinthians 14:20 to the corporate life of the church, arguing that the maturity Paul calls for is not just individual but communal. The sermon explores the demonic dimension of false teaching, suggesting that even sincere teachers of error may be unwittingly influenced by spiritual deception, thus requiring the church to be collectively mature and discerning.
Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith (SermonIndex.net) introduces the theme that spiritual maturity is not measured by knowledge of evil or error, but by depth of knowledge in what is good and true. The sermon adds the unique angle that curiosity about evil can become a spiritual distraction or even a form of pride, and that Christians should resist the urge to become "experts" in falsehood for its own sake. The preacher also explores the tension between necessary knowledge for evangelism or protection and the danger of being consumed by the study of evil, suggesting that the default should be innocence unless a specific ministry need arises.
Embracing Humility and Forgiveness in God's Kingdom (SermonIndex.net) develops the theme that the true evil Paul warns against is pride, comparison, and the desire for prominence within the church. The sermon adds a fresh facet by connecting childlike innocence in evil to the absence of self-exaltation and the presence of humility, arguing that the greatest danger in the church is not overt sin but the subtle evil of seeking to be greater than others. The analogy of the hidden maidservant further deepens the theme by highlighting the virtue of unnoticed service.
Childlike Humility: The True Greatness in Heaven (SermonIndex.net) presents the theological theme that the kingdom of God is fundamentally upside-down compared to worldly values: greatness is measured by childlikeness, not achievement or cleverness. The sermon uniquely insists that the Holy Spirit reveals truth to those who approach God as infants, not as the wise or learned, and that the fullness of the Spirit is evidenced by a childlike trust in God as "Daddy." The preacher's detailed list of childlike attributes—lack of self-defense, absence of ambition, no stored-up anger, and no judgment of others—offers a comprehensive vision of Christian maturity as paradoxically rooted in childlike innocence.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Historical and Contextual Insights:
Engaging in True Worship: Spirit and Truth (Alistair Begg) provides historical context by referencing the practices of the early Scottish church, specifically the use of a “gathering service” before the main worship service to prepare minds and hearts for worship. This practice is presented as a historical embodiment of the principle in 1 Corinthians 14:20, emphasizing the necessity of mental preparation and focus as part of mature worship. Begg also references the Reformation principle that the symbols of the gospel should never be isolated from the proclamation of the gospel, grounding his argument for rational worship in historical church practice.
Childlike Humility: The True Greatness in Heaven (SermonIndex.net) provides historical context by explaining that in the Old Testament, the promises to Israel were entirely earthly—land, prosperity, and physical blessings—whereas the New Covenant, inaugurated at Pentecost, introduced the "kingdom of heaven" as a spiritual reality. The preacher notes that in Jesus' time, children were not considered great or important in society, making Jesus' elevation of childlikeness as the standard for greatness in the kingdom radically countercultural. The sermon also references the cultural context of trade unions and rights movements to contrast worldly and kingdom values.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Cross-References in the Bible:
Engaging in True Worship: Spirit and Truth (Alistair Begg) references several passages to support his interpretation of 1 Corinthians 14:20. He cites Acts 17, where Paul reasons with the Athenians, to illustrate the necessity of rational, expository preaching as the foundation for worship. He also references Ephesians 5:18 and Colossians 3:16 to show the interplay between being filled with the Spirit and letting the word of Christ dwell richly, both resulting in mature, active worship. Revelation 4:11 is used to emphasize that worship begins with God’s glory, not human need.
Embracing the Supremacy of God in Our Minds (Desiring God) uses 1 Corinthians 8:1 (“knowledge puffs up, but love builds up”), Ecclesiastes 12:12 (“much study is a weariness of the flesh”), 1 Corinthians 1:19, 1:27 (God destroying the wisdom of the wise), 2 Timothy 2:7 (“think over what I say”), 1 Peter 1:13 (“gird up the loins of your minds”), and the Great Commandment (“love the Lord your God with all your mind”) to build a biblical case for the necessity and danger of intellectual engagement. The sermon also references 1 Corinthians 10:31 (“do all to the glory of God”), Romans 3:23, 2 Corinthians 4:4, and Habakkuk 2:14 to show that the supremacy of God’s glory is the ultimate aim of all intellectual and spiritual endeavor.
Equipping the Saints for Spiritual Maturity and Unity (Desiring God) cross-references Matthew 18:3 (“unless you turn and become like children”), Ephesians 6:11 (“schemes of the devil”), and 2 Corinthians 11:3 (the serpent’s cunning) to expand on the dual nature of childlikeness and the dangers of immaturity. The sermon uses these passages to argue that the cunning and deceit Paul warns against in 1 Corinthians 14:20 may be both human and demonic in origin, requiring spiritual as well as intellectual maturity.
Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Romans 16:19 ("I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil"), Psalm 16 (David refusing to even name false gods), and Ephesians 5:12 ("it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret") to reinforce the biblical pattern of avoiding deep engagement with evil. The preacher uses these passages to argue that Christians should not immerse themselves in the study of false religions or evil practices, but rather focus on what is good and true. John 21 is also referenced to illustrate Jesus' call to personal focus ("What is that to you? You follow me"), and Philippians 1:9 is mentioned in the context of discernment.
Embracing Humility and Forgiveness in God's Kingdom (SermonIndex.net) references Matthew 18 (the entire chapter), Genesis 3 and 4 (contrasting Adam's sin, which hurt himself, with Cain's sin, which hurt another), Luke 15 (the parables of the lost sheep and the prodigal son), Galatians 6:1 (restoring a brother in a spirit of gentleness), Psalm 66:18 (regarding iniquity in the heart), and John 14 and Romans 8 (the Holy Spirit as the one who assures us we are not orphans). These references are used to build a comprehensive theology of humility, forgiveness, and spiritual family, all rooted in the childlike spirit commended by Jesus and Paul.
Childlike Humility: The True Greatness in Heaven (SermonIndex.net) cross-references Matthew 18 (Jesus' teaching on childlikeness), Matthew 11:25 (God revealing truth to babes), Isaiah 11:6 (a child leading in the messianic kingdom), John 14:16-18 (the Holy Spirit as the one who delivers from the orphan spirit), and Romans 8:15 (the Spirit crying "Abba, Father"). The preacher uses these passages to show that the theme of childlikeness and trust runs throughout Scripture and is central to understanding the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 14:20 Illustrations from Secular Sources:
Embracing the Supremacy of God in Our Minds (Desiring God) provides a detailed secular illustration by quoting Charles Meisner on Albert Einstein’s view of organized religion. Meisner suggests that Einstein found most religious leaders lacking in awe and respect for the majesty of the universe, which he saw as essentially a religious question. The preacher uses this as a rebuke to Christian scholars and pastors, arguing that the failure to approach God and creation with true wonder is a failure of mature, God-centered thinking. The sermon also references G.K. Chesterton’s observations about childlike wonder and the tendency of adults to lose their sense of amazement, using this as an analogy for the imaginative faculty of the mind and the need to continually renew one’s sense of awe before God. Additionally, the preacher mentions the Hubble telescope and the vastness of the universe as a means to illustrate the magnitude of the Creator, arguing that the purpose of such immensity is to provoke worshipful, mature thought about God rather than self-importance.
Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith (SermonIndex.net) uses the detailed secular analogy of bank tellers and counterfeit detection to illustrate 1 Corinthians 14:20. The preacher explains that bank workers are trained to recognize counterfeit bills not by studying fakes, but by handling genuine currency so extensively that any deviation is immediately apparent. This analogy is used to argue that Christians should focus on deep familiarity with the truth, rather than becoming experts in error or evil. The illustration is extended to government agencies training agents to spot counterfeits by immersing them in the real thing, reinforcing the sermon's call to be "infants in evil" by being saturated in what is good and true.