1 Corinthians 3:3
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What Paul calls "of the flesh" here isn't just about sin in general, but specifically about behaving in ways that are driven by our own selfish desires and comparisons. The fact that there's jealousy and strife proves they're still operating from a purely human, earthly perspective, rather than God's.
for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is addressing divisions and arguments within the Corinthian church, with people aligning themselves with different leaders like Paul, Apollos, or Peter. This verse directly confronts them for acting like the unredeemed world, driven by petty rivalries and personal favoritances rather than spiritual maturity. He's pointing out that these behaviors reveal they haven't fully embraced their new identity in Christ, still operating on a purely human, fleshly level.
Paul calls out the Corinthians for jealousy and strife, but says it's more than just a bad mood. It's a whole way of living.
When Paul talks about being 'of the flesh,' he's not just pointing to occasional sinful actions. It describes a fundamental orientation of life – living according to your own fallen human desires, independent of God's Spirit.
This is a crucial distinction:
The Corinthians' jealousy and strife were clear indicators that their default operating system was still 'flesh,' not 'Spirit.'
The Corinthians were acting in ways that seemed normal to them, but Paul says it's just 'human.' What's the difference?
Paul uses the phrase 'behaving only in a human way' to describe actions that are governed solely by human standards, wisdom, and power. This stands in stark contrast to living by God's revealed truth and power through the Holy Spirit.
Think about it:
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Their jealousy and strife were products of a 'human way' of relating to each other, rather than a Spirit-empowered way of unity and love.
Understand the original words
zēlos · Greek Noun
A sinful attitude of resentment or envy toward the success or blessings of others, which is contrary to the spirit of love and unity commanded by Christ.
eris · Greek Noun
Refers to contention, rivalry, or discord among believers, which disrupts the peace and unity of the Body of Christ.
Paul is writing to a church in Corinth that is acting more like a typical Greco-Roman social club with its own internal rivalries than a unified body of Christ. The divisions and infighting he addresses reveal a deep-seated immaturity and a failure to grasp the transformative power of the Gospel.
c. AD 41-50
Paul's First Missionary Journey
The Apostle Paul, alongside Barnabas, evangelized various cities in Asia Minor and established early Christian communities.
c. AD 50-52
Council of Jerusalem
A significant meeting where early church leaders debated and decided on the inclusion of Gentiles into Christianity, affirming that salvation was by grace through faith, not adherence to Mosaic Law.
c. AD 53-57
Paul's Second and Third Missionary Journeys
Paul continued to spread the gospel, visiting and establishing churches, including the church in Corinth, a major Roman port city known for its wealth and moral laxity.
c. AD 55— this verse
Paul Writes 1 Corinthians
From Ephesus, Paul addresses serious issues within the Corinthian church, including divisions, immorality, and doctrinal misunderstandings, as reported by Chloe's household and through a letter from the church itself.
c. AD 55
Divisions in the Corinthian Church
The church in Corinth was fractured into factions, with some identifying with Paul, others with Apollos, and still others with Peter or Christ, leading to jealousy and strife.
This passage lists 'sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these' as the 'works of the flesh,' directly mirroring the disunity Paul addresses in Corinth.
Philippians 2:3Paul calls believers to 'do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves,' which is the exact opposite of the 'jealousy and strife' seen in the Corinthian church.
1 Corinthians 1:10-13This earlier section of the same letter highlights the Corinthians' divisions and factionalism ('I belong to Paul,' 'I belong to Apollos'), showing that their 'fleshly' behavior and partisanship were a long-standing problem.
Romans 8:5-8Paul contrasts the mindset of the flesh with the mindset of the Spirit, stating that 'those who are in the flesh cannot please God.' This provides theological depth to why 'jealousy and strife' are fundamentally incompatible with a Spirit-filled life.
What Paul calls "of the flesh" here isn't just about sin in general, but specifically about behaving in ways that are driven by our own selfish desires and comparisons. The fact that there's jealousy and strife proves they're still operating from a purely human, earthly perspective, rather than God's.
Paul is addressing divisions and arguments within the Corinthian church, with people aligning themselves with different leaders like Paul, Apollos, or Peter. This verse directly confronts them for acting like the unredeemed world, driven by petty rivalries and personal favoritances rather than spiritual maturity. He's pointing out that these behaviors reveal they haven't fully embraced their new identity in Christ, still operating on a purely human, fleshly level.
Paul is addressing divisions and arguments within the Corinthian church, with people aligning themselves with different leaders like Paul, Apollos, or Peter. This verse directly confronts them for acting like the unredeemed world, driven by petty rivalries and personal favoritances rather than spiritual maturity. He's pointing out that these behaviors reveal they haven't fully embraced their new identity in Christ, still operating on a purely human, fleshly level.
"for you are still of the flesh. For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way?" — What Paul calls "of the flesh" here isn't just about sin in general, but specifically about behaving in ways that are driven by our own selfish desires and comparisons. The fact that there's jealousy…
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Last reviewed October 2026
