The Corinthians have reproached Paul for failing to provide sufficiently advanced instruction in wisdom. Paul replies with a direct shot at their self-proclaimed status as pneumatikoi: “I could not speak to you as spiritual people, but rather as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.” The metaphors used here (adults vs. infants and solid food vs. milk) are stock language in relation to philosophical and religious instruction throughout the ancient world. The assumption is that spiritual progress