he is conceited, knowing nothing, but obsessed with arguments, disputes, and word battles, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions,
The behavior of questioning, raising irrelevant issues, and being drawn to make much of nothing was common among these teachers not grasping the role of the law and the gospel. The reason for such behavior was pride, a deeper problem and one that all men must check. "The symptoms of this disease of pride," Kent says, "are listed by Paul. Questionings, warring over words, envy, strife, blasphemies, evil suspicions, constant wrangling--these are the indications of men proud of their schemes and intellect" (192-193). Paul’s feelings and convictions about such men are extremely strong as his characterization is almost vituperate in nature.