1 Corinthians 3:3

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Summary

For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

For whereas

James 4:1

And walk

1 Peter 4:2

General references

John 10:19

Galatians 5:15

Bible References

For whereas

For it has been reported to me about you, my brothers, by some of Chloe's family, that there is quarreling [going on] among you.

If any one of you has a complaint against someone, how can you dare to take it before non-Christian judges [to be decided], instead of before the saints [i.e., God's holy people]?

For first of all, I have been informed [Note: This was probably by Chloe's family. See 1:11] that divisions exist among you people when you assemble as a congregation. And I am inclined to believe it [is true].

For I am afraid that somehow, when I come [to you], I might not find you the way I want you to be, and you might not find me the way you want me to be. I am afraid there might be quarrelling, jealousy, angry outbursts, factious spirits, slander, gossip, arrogance and [other] disturbances [there].

But if you [unlovingly] bite and eat one another [i.e., figuratively], be careful that you do not totally consume one another.

For when jealousy and rivalry exist, there is [also] disorder and every [kind of] evil practice.

Where do conflicts and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your [desire for] pleasures which produces inner conflict?

And walk

For from within, out of people's hearts, proceed evil thoughts, sexual immorality, stealing, murder, extramarital affairs,

You practiced such things when you lived according to the evil ways of this world, and according to the ruler of the [spiritual] powers of the air. [Note: This refers to Satan, whose influence permeates life around us]. He is the [evil] spirit who is now at work in people who are disobedient [to God].

You were [taught] to put away [the conduct of] your former lifestyle, your old person who is being corrupted by deceitful desires,

For we [Christians] were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various kinds of [evil] desires and [sinful] pleasures. [We used to] live in malice and envy, hating people and being hated by them.

So then, you should no longer live the rest of your lives [to satisfy] the sinful desires of your body, but to do what God wants.

General references

The Jews who heard these words became divided again [i.e., over their meaning].

But if you [unlovingly] bite and eat one another [i.e., figuratively], be careful that you do not totally consume one another.