BABY/INFANT/CHILD

Definition:

Unlearned, lacking knowledge, immature (“Adult” therefore, would mean “fully knowledgable”)

• It’s important to note that the terms “son, daughter, or offspring” mean “to partake of someone’s likeness” (see Son/Daughter/Offspring). Only the terms “infant” or “young child” represent lack of understanding. 
• Unfortunately, in most translations these words are all translated “child.” This is somewhat understandable because the word “child” could be referring to a person in their youth, as in “a child, not an adult,” or it could be used as the offspring of someone, as in “my child.” Most of the time you will need a Bible concordance to tell the difference, or you can refer to a literal translation (LSV, YLT) which typically translates them correctly.

Scripture:

Baby/Infant

• An adult (full-grown man) is used for those who have full knowledge of Jesus. An infant is used for those who have not arrived at full knowledge.

Ephesians 4:13-14 (MKJV) And this until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 so that we no longer may be infants, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine…

• Infant is used for “not knowing God.”

Galatians 4:1, 8 (MKJV) But I say, Over so long a time the heir is an infant, he does not differ from a slave, though being lord of all;  Verse 8) But then, indeed, not knowing God, you served as slaves to those not by nature being gods.

• Baby is used interchangeably with “foolish, blind, those in darkness.”

Romans 2:19-20 (MKJV) and persuading yourselves to be a guide of the blind, a light to those in darkness [not seeing]; 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes..

• Infant is used for not seeing Jesus (our mirror, 2 Cor. 3:18) clearly. A man (adult) is used for someone who sees Jesus fully.

1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (MKJV) When I was an infant, I spoke as an infant, I thought as an infant, I reasoned as an infant. But when I became a man, I did away with the things of an infant. 12 For now we see in a mirror [Jesus] dimly [like an infant], but then face to face [fully, like a man]. Now I know in part [like an infant], but then I shall fully know [like a man] even as I also am fully known.

• Baby is used for those who are not spiritually minded, but needing simple truths.

1 Corinthians 3:1-2 (MKJV) And I, brothers, could not speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly, as to babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with milk [meaning simple] and not with solid food, for you were not yet able to bear it; nor are you able even now.

• Baby is used as the opposite of “wise and prudent.”

Luke 10:21 (NKJV) In that hour Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit and said, “I thank You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to babes. 

Young Child

Childlike Ignorance:

• Here, the word for “infant” and even the word for “young child” are both used. The first word is paidion, which means a “childling (young child) – either an infant or a half grown child”. The second word is nēpiazō, which means “infant.” Both words are used to describe a lack of understanding.

1 Corinthians 14:20 (LSV) Brothers, do not become children [lit. childling –infant or half-grown child] in the understanding, but in the evil be children [lit. infant], and in the understanding become perfect;

• Knowing that Paul uses the word “child” for lack of knowledge, the same way that he uses the word “infant,” this sheds light on Jesus saying that we need to become as a child before we can inherit the kingdom of heaven. This passage is almost exclusively interpreted to mean that we need to have “faith as a child” or “childlike faith.” While Jesus does refer to “these little ones that believe in me,” being “a child” is not referring to our faith, but rather our ignorance. He’s saying that we need to recognize our own lack of understanding (become as a child) first, in order to learn from Him and enter the kingdom (it’s important to know that this term “childlike faith” is not found in the Bible).

Matthew 18:3-6 (KJV) And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children [paidion], ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. 4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child [describes being a child as a lowly position], the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. 6 But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

• The same word “paidion” that Paul uses in 1 Corinthians 14:20 for lack of understanding is the same word Jesus uses here. According to Jesus, we need to become as a child in our own eyes, recognizing our own ignorance, if we want to learn from Him and enter the kingdom. But Paul advices that we not stay that way! We do need to first recognize our own ignorance (become as a child), but we should not stay in ignorance. We need to learn from the Lord and no longer be children in the understanding, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 14:20.
• Notice that Jesus says we need to “humble ourselves and become as a child.” That means that being a child is a lowly position. This makes sense because child means ignorant. He’s asking us to admit that we don’t know the truth for ourselves. This is why He says being a child is a “humble” position. 
• The only people that can learn from the Lord are those that first admit that they lack understanding (become as a child in their own eyes). This is exactly what Paul says in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool [i.e. become a child], that he may be wise.

• We should not stay children in our understanding, but learning from the Lord all starts with recognizing that we are foolish without Him. We need to become a fool in our own eyes if we want to receive His wisdom. In other words, “we need to humble ourselves and become as a child to inherit the kingdom.” 
• This is exactly what Solomon did. He acknowledged his own ignorance (became as a child in his own eyes) and therefore positioned himself to ask the Lord for his wisdom.
• One may dispute that when Solomon says, “I am but a little child,” he is referring to his age, but seeing that he follows it up with, “I know not,” and then proceeds to ask the Lord for understanding, it seems apparent what he means when comparing it to the verses above.

1 Kings 3:7 (KJV) And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.
Verse 9) Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people?

• As Paul said, Solomon became a fool in his own eyes, which made him teachable, and positioned him to receive wisdom from the Lord. And as Jesus said, he humbled himself and became as a child, to be great in the kingdom of heaven.