1Cor 3:3 | JFB | STEP | 3. envying-- jealousy, rivalry. As this refers to their feelings, "strife" refers to their words, and "divisions" to their actions [Bengel]. There is a gradation, or ascending climax: envying had produced strife, and strife divisions (factious parties) [Grotius]. His language becomes severer now as He proceeds; in he had only said "contentions," he now multiplies the words (compare the stronger term, , than in ). carnal-- For "strife" is a "work of the flesh" ( ). The "flesh" includes all feelings that aim not at the glory of God, and the good of our neighbor, but at gratifying self. walk as men-- as unregenerate men (compare ). "After the flesh, not after the Spirit" of God, as becomes you as regenerate by the Spirit ( ; , ).

‏ 1 Corinthians 3:3

3. envying--jealousy, rivalry. As this refers to their feelings, "strife" refers to their words, and "divisions" to their actions [Bengel]. There is a gradation, or ascending climax: envying had produced strife, and strife divisions (factious parties) [Grotius]. His language becomes severer now as He proceeds; in 1Co 1:11 he had only said "contentions," he now multiplies the words (compare the stronger term, 1Co 4:6, than in 1Co 3:21).

carnal--For "strife" is a "work of the flesh" (Ga 5:20). The "flesh" includes all feelings that aim not at the glory of God, and the good of our neighbor, but at gratifying self.

walk as men--as unregenerate men (compare Mt 16:23). "After the flesh, not after the Spirit" of God, as becomes you as regenerate by the Spirit (Ro 8:4; Ga 5:25, 26).