Note 5 at 1 Cor. 3:3: Paul cites envy, strife, and divisions as sure signs of carnality (see note 13 at Rom. 8:6, p. 794). As explained in notes 1 and 2 at 1 Corinthians 1:10, page 860, this is very different than the typical mindset of Christians today. The church today has focused its attention on the sins of immorality and largely ignored things like unity among the believers.

The church at Corinth had the entire spectrum of sins present among its members. Paul deals with the sins of immorality (ch. 7), but his emphasis is on the division among the believers. James 3:16 says, "For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." Strife opens up a door to every evil work that the enemy wants to do in our lives. Envy, strife, and division within the body of believers is even more deadly than the sins of immorality.