Paul charged his brethren to beware lest in trying to correct the faults of others they should commit sins equally great themselves. He warns them that hatred, emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, and envyings are as truly the works of the flesh as are lasciviousness, adultery, drunkenness, and murder, and will as surely close the gate of heaven against the guilty. {5T 244.2}

Paulus pålagde sine brødre at tage sig i agt, at de ikke under forsøg på at rette på andres fejl selv begik lige så store synder. Han gør dem opmærksom på, at fjendskaber, kiv og nid, hidsighed, egennytte, splittelser, partier og misundelse lige så vist er kødets gerninger som løsagtighed, utugt, drukkenskab og mord og lige så vist vil lukke himmelens port for de skyldige.