Spiritual babies

After two long chapters discussing some theological points with the Corinthians, Paul started scolding them for factionalism. Near the end of chapter 2, Paul talked about the 'spiritual' man who had received the gift of the Spirit of God. They judged all things and were not judged by anyone (1 Corinthians 2:14-15) Here in chapter 3, Paul passed judgment on them.
But I, brethren, could not address you as spiritual men, but as men of the flesh, as babes in Christ (1 Corinthians 3:1).
Pay attention to his writing skills. Paul did not directly call them "unspiritual". He indirectly said that he could not talk to them on a par like spiritual men. He had to treat them as men of the flesh (i.e. ordinary men who followed their desires) and teased them as babies.
This world is not a world of blacks and whites. There are gradations. Total white and total black form a continuum. Therefore, there are gradations of being spiritual/unspiritual. Of course, for the sake of argument, it is convenient to divide the whole (world) into two camps: we-they, spiritual-unspiritual etc. Starting from chapter 3, Paul introduced a new concept: man of flesh. It is not obvious that this concept of "man of flesh" is identical with "unspiritual man"; nor with "babies in Christ".
Paul did not simply tease the Corinthians as babies. He skillfully overcame the weaknesses of dichotomy by introducing this baby image. Babies grow. Therefore, men of flesh may develop, may grow through different stages, to mature, to reach the stage of being spiritual.
By what criterion did Paul judge them as men of flesh, as babies?
Paul was concerned about factionalism of the Corinthians. He had mentioned this in chapter 1. Of course there were other worries such as sexual immorality which he would handle later. So, for the moment, Paul dealt with factionalism and equated it with spiritual immaturity (1 Corinthians 3:4).
To deal with factionalism, Paul made use of the image of planting. He and Apollos were servants doing different tasks. But only God produced fruits.
I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Still, there are differences in the job nature. If their jobs are different, they cannot be of the same importance. Which means some jobs are more important, more fundamental than the others. Here, Paul did not shy away from taking the credits. He claimed that with God's grace, he laid the foundation for the others to build on.
According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and another man is building upon it. Let each man take care how he builds upon it (1 Corinthians 3:10).
If the work which any man has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward.
If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
The Catholic Church is an apostolic church. The foundation has been laid down by the apostles. How well we build this church will determine where we go at the end. Moreover, the Church is a church of sinners. We need God's grace to forgive our sins, to sanctify us and to empower us to grow up spiritually.

My dear Advocate, I am literally a clumsy and inflexible builder. Much of the time, I insist on principles that others do not quite appreciate. Guide me so that my insistence is not a stubbornness that is a stumbling block for myself and for the others. Amen.