Jealousy and envy in the Bible. There are so many verses about these topics. Many are about God’s jealousy for you. Then the remaining are about the results of these two words which aren’t pretty at all so I am calling them contentment crashers.
God’s Jealousy of You
In the previous post, we talked about God’s jealousy for you. This is because of His extreme love for you. He wants you to spend time with Him. And two of the ten commandments are specific to this. Even one of His names is called Jealous (Exodus 34:14 ESV).
But what does jealousy mean for us? And where does envy come in? What are the examples of envy in the Bible? Let’s define jealousy and envy and check out the other examples in the Bible.
Meaning of Jealousy and Envy in the Bible
Jealousy, ‘qinah‘ in Hebrew or ‘zelos‘ in Greek*, is translated as ardor or zeal. This devotion can be like the careful guard or keeping of something that is yours, as a husband has for his wife, or of God has for his people. It could be ardent passion or anger depending on the situation.
The word for envy in Hebrew is the same word, qinah. In Greek, the word for envy is different. It is phthonos, which translates to envy, ill-will, or spite.
These two words appear to be somewhat different. But at times, they are used in the same way and with the same word. While the English language tends to see these words differently – jealousy is zeal or devotion and envy is desiring what others have, the Bible uses these two words interchangeably most of the time.
What Jealousy and Envy are not
Jealous and envy are not words for love. A person who is loving will show love for all people around them. When we love a person, we are not envious of them or their gifts.
Paul describes love this way in 1 Corinthians.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant
1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV
We should praise God for the gifts that God has given those around us. Pray for them. If they are in a position of power or influence for the Gospel, the enemy does not want them to succeed. Pray for their protection and to keep their eyes only on God. And not themselves or anyone else.
Examples of Jealousy and Envy in the Bible
There are many different examples in the Bible that I could choose from. Here are some of them.
Jealousy in the Church
Unfortunately, there can be jealousy in the church. It really all comes down to being human. And in this case, Paul was wondering if the Corinthians had repented of their previous sins. He was coming for a third visit and he hoped that he wouldn’t find them acting this way. To be crystal clear that they were all on the same page, he spelled out his expectations of what he hoped that he would not find.^
For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find you not as I wish, and that you may find me not as you wish—that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder.
2 Corinthians 12:20 ESV
If we do find ourselves jealous of another in the church, we should take inventory of our feelings. Are we thinking properly? Should we feel this way? If our thoughts cause us to be angry or spiteful, then we need to repent of those thoughts.
Envy of Jesus
During the Passover Feast, it is tradition to release one prisoner. The people chose to have Barabbas released over Jesus. Pilate knew that the religious leaders were envious of Jesus.
For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up.
Matthew 27:18 ESV
I find it interesting that, Pilate, a political man in power, could tell the religious leaders were envious of Jesus from their words and actions. He had this thought and then his wife sent word to him to have nothing to do with harming Jesus because of a dream she had (Matthew 27:19 ESV).
Even Jesus had others who were envious and spiteful towards him. We are not alone when we have people around us who are envious of us.
Jealousy of Others
With the rise of the Christian church, the apostles were performing miracles and many believers were coming to the Lord. However, this didn’t please the Jews in the upper ranks.
But the high priest rose up, and all who were with him (that is, the party of the Sadducees), and filled with jealousy
Acts 5:17 ESV
The Sadducees were jealous of what the apostles could do. Out of this spite, they iput them in prison and told them not to speak about Jesus again. When an angel of the Lord broke them out of prison, they went back to the courtyard to continue preaching about Jesus. When the high priest came and asked why they were teaching when they told them not to. They responded,
“We must obey God rather than men.”
Acts 5:29 ESV
Even though I talked about this story regarding obedience to God, it is such a great story to repeat again from another person’s point of view.
And usually, when people are jealous, there is another point of view. We need to stop and consider when we are being jealous is there another viewpoint that we did not consider. In this case, could the apostles have something that the Sadducees needed to consider? Since we are reading these verses centuries later, the answer is YES! They were looking for a Messiah who would save them from Roman rule. But they needed to look at Jesus the Messiah, as their Savior for their sins who would release them from the law, so they’d never have to give sacrifices again.
Envy of Others
There are two commandments that speak to God’s jealousy – or ardent devotion to us and how he wants us to not be devoted to other gods or build idols to them. The tenth commandment is another one specific to this topic.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
Exodus 20:17 ESV
God knew that envy of others would be a problem for everyone so he made it a commandment for ALL of us. When we look at what others have and want what they possess, the thoughts that we encounter day by day lead us down a path that is away from Him.
For me personally, the envy of a co-worker years ago who got promoted took me down a slippery path. I wanted to get promoted and I didn’t seek God’s will for me.
The thoughts that plagued me: Should I seek a senior-level position? How can I do that?
So I thought the best path was heading off to graduate school again. While I did achieve my graduate degree in IT Management, I didn’t get the promotion I desired. Why not? Because I was envious and chose to not listen to what God wanted me to do.
Result of Jealousy and Envy in the Bible
1. Envy affects our health.
When we are envious of others and jealous of what others have, our bones will literally start to rot.
A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Proverbs 14:30 ESV
2. Envy doesn’t get us anywhere – We all will die
Solomon, the wise king who wrote Ecclesiastes, came to the conclusion that no matter what we do on this earth – good or evil, we have the same ending. And that is death.
Their love and their hate and their envy have already perished, and forever they have no more share in all that is done under the sun.
Ecclesiastes 9:6 ESV
We can search all we want and see after all the riches we desire, but we can’t take any of this with us. When we desire to follow God and do what He wants for our lives, all the extra stuff that others have doesn’t matter. God will fulfill us. He will give us what we need and provide for us.
3. Works of the Flesh Lead to Eternal Death
If a person chooses to not repent and continue in their sin, they will not inherit God’s kingdom.
Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, imity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 ESV
Jealousy and Envy in the Bible: Contentment Crashers
Jealousy and envy are feelings that we have when we focus on others, instead of focusing on God. These thoughts can consume us and take us down a path that leads us to something that is contrary to God’s will.
When we focus on what others have instead of all the wonderful gifts that God has given us, we are discontented with what we do have. I know that I didn’t thank God as much for what I had when I was looking at what others had.
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change.
James 1:17 ESV
Don’t let jealousy and envy crash your contentment. Keep your focus on God, what His purpose is for you, and thank Him for what you do have.
*Note: All Hebrew or Greek words are translated from the Strongs Dictionary, BlueLetterBible, StudyLight.org.
^David Gutzik Commentary on 2 Corinthians, Blue Letter Bible, Studylight.org
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Resource Library
Have you checked out the Resource Library yet? There are free Bible resources: monthly Bible reading plans that go along with the topic for the month, Bible verse cards, and some bookmarks. And other resources: the READ Bible study method, and more.
Christmas Advent: Prepare Him Room by Susie Larson
This advent devotional by Susie is different than others. Most Christmas time devotionals are short and focus on the Scriptures one reads at Christmas time. But this devotional contains the whole book of Luke – from birth to resurrection. Her writing is easy to read and it makes me feel like I am sitting in the room listening to every word.
While I received an Advanced Reader Copy of the book from the publisher, I am looking forward to soaking in every word during the advent season so I can prepare more room for Him in my heart.
