Jealousy and strife are two of the “social sins” that Paul mentions in Galatians 5:19-21 — enmity (hostility), strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, and envy. These deeds of the flesh are in direct opposition to the fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23). In fact, Paul says that the two are “against” each other (Gal 5:17).
This is relevant to the Corinthian church because they claimed to be “spiritual” people: believers who had progressed in wisdom and maturity such that they could challenge even Paul. He affirmed that they were believers, calling them “saints” and “brothers” and acknowledging that the testimony of Christ was confirmed in them due to the gospel coming in a “demonstration of the Spirit and of power.”
But Paul says that their claims are inherently contradictory. Something that they were doing was so contrary to the gospel, so contrary to the Spirit, so contrary to the cross of Christ, that he could not consider them “spiritual” in his instructions to them, but instead had to treat them as “fleshly” and “infants” in Christ. He says that they are being “merely human.”
What great offense earned this rebuke? Had they set up idols to worship? Had they denied the Trinity? Had they resorted to works-righteousness, as Peter did when he required Gentiles to get circumcised?
No, none of those.
They were “jealous” of one another and were “striving” with one another.
These attitudes of the heart came out in leader preferences: “I am of Apollos,” “I am of Paul.” These were power plays to see whose brand of ministry, whose personality, whose method of delivery was “right” and should have preeminence over the others. It was so bad that Paul said it was responsible for “divisions,” and called them instead to be united (1Co1:10),
We are not immune from the same heart sins. They might manifest themselves today in withholding your participation from the church body when leaders displease you, withholding your offerings because of a decision you don’t like, refusing to consider the instruction of all but your favorite teacher, and even disparaging your “opponents” through gossip and slander.
People might even think of themselves as “spiritual” when they do these things, but Paul says Not Possible. If you are engaging in these attitudes and behaviors, you are not spiritual, Paul says, you are not even healthy. Instead, your growth is stunted and you are still a spiritual infant. You are proclaiming your advanced spiritual state through a mouth full of spiritual junk food.
Are we considering ourselves “spiritual” while we engage in such unity-killing sin? Are we considering other believers “spiritual” even though they are engaging in jealousy and strife? Disciples can’t grow feeding themselves with such rotten fare. And the body — the congregation — suffers when one member’s growth is stunted, and pulls the body out of balance.
Paul tells us that disciples can never think of themselves as “merely human,” either to discourage the attempt to be holy, or as an excuse for not trying to be. Instead, disciples have the mind of Christ, operating with the Spirit of God, to think, feel, and do for the glory of God.