Lexical Summary phthonos: Envy, jealousy Original Word: φθόνος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance envy. Probably akin to the base of phtheiro; ill-will (as detraction), i.e. Jealousy (spite) -- envy. see GREEK phtheiro HELPS Word-studies 5355 phthónos (a primitive word, perhaps akin to 5351 /phtheírō, "decay, break-down, corrupt") – properly, strong feeling (desire) that sours, due to the influence of sin; (figuratively) the miserable trait of being glad when someone experiences misfortune or pain. 5355 /phthónos ("the feeling of ill-will") refers to the jealous envy that negatively "energizes" someone with an embittered mind. 5355 /phthónos ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . . . without longing to raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to depress the envied to his own level" (R. Trench, 90). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Origina prim. word Definition envy NASB Translation envy (7), envying (1), jealously (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 5355: φθόνοςφθόνος, φθόνου, ὁ, from (Pindar and) Herodotus down, envy: Romans 1:29; Galatians 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1; διά φθόνον, for envy, i. e. prompted by envy (see διαφθονος B. II. 2b.), Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:10; Philippians 1:15 (Dio Cassius, 44, 36); πρός φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τό πνεῦμα ὁ κατῴκησεν (but see κατοικίζω) ἐν ἡμῖν; doth the Spirit which took up its abode within us (i. e. the Holy Spirit) long enviously? (see πρός, I. 3 g.), James 4:5 (but T (WH in second marginal reading) drop the interrogative); see on the passage Grimm in the Theol. Studien und Kritiken for 1854, p. 934ff. (Synonym: see ζῆλος, 2 at the end.) Topical Lexicon Concept and Nature Envy is the resentful longing that another person should not possess a good which one desires for oneself. Unlike godly jealousy, which protects covenant fidelity, envy springs from discontentment and distorted self-love. Scripture consistently treats it as a destructive heart-attitude that fractures fellowship with God and neighbor. Distribution in the New Testament The noun appears nine times. Two references describe the motive behind delivering Jesus to Pilate (Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:10). Four passages warn churches against harboring envy in their midst (Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 1:15; 1 Timothy 6:4; 1 Peter 2:1). Two list it among the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:21; Titus 3:3), and James 4:5 contrasts human envy with the divine yearning of the indwelling Spirit. In every case the term is negative, standing in irreconcilable opposition to the fruit of the Spirit and to Christlike love. Envy and the Passion of Christ Pilate “knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him” (Matthew 27:18). Religious leaders who prided themselves on the Law coveted the Lord’s authority and popularity; envy became the incubator for judicial murder. The episode exposes how religious externals can veil a heart that despises God’s grace toward others. Envy Listed among the Works of the Flesh Galatians 5:21 embeds envy in a catalog that bars practitioners from inheriting the kingdom. Romans 1:29 places it in the downward spiral of Gentile rebellion: “They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice.” Titus 3:3 recalls the pre-conversion life: “living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.” Envy is therefore simultaneously a fruit of fallenness, a social toxin, and a disqualifier from kingdom life. Envy in Church Life and Ministry Philippians 1:15 concedes that “some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry.” Even orthodox proclamation can be corrupted by a competitive spirit. 1 Timothy 6:4 warns that false teachers, puffed up by controversy, generate “envy, strife, slander, evil suspicions.” Peter instructs believers to “rid yourselves of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander” (1 Peter 2:1), linking its removal to growth in the “pure milk of the word.” Divine Jealousy versus Human Envy James 4:5 raises the rhetorical question whether Scripture speaks “that the Spirit He caused to dwell in us yearns with envy.” The point is not that God displays sinful envy but that His holy jealousy opposes the worldly covetousness that foments quarrels (James 4:1-4). The contrast highlights how envy is a perversion of rightful zeal: God’s jealousy seeks our undivided devotion for our good, whereas human envy begrudges others’ blessing. Historical Witness Early Christian writers treated envy as a “gateway sin.” Tertullian called it “the root of all evils,” noting its role in Cain’s murder of Abel and Joseph’s enslavement by his brothers. The Patristic consensus viewed envy as a direct assault on divine providence, because it questions God’s right to distribute gifts as He wills. Pastoral and Discipleship Implications 1. Cultivate gratitude. Regular thanksgiving displaces envy by acknowledging God’s generosity. Summary Envy (Strong’s Greek 5355) is portrayed in the New Testament as a root sin that crucified the Lord, divides churches, and excludes from God’s kingdom. Its antidotes are gratitude, love, and a Spirit-filled life that rejoices in the grace given to others. Forms and Transliterations φθονοι φθόνοι φθονον φθόνον φθονος φθόνος φθονου φθόνου φθονους φθόνους φθονω φθόνω φθόνῳ phthono phthonō phthonoi phthónoi phthónōi phthonon phthónon phthonos phthónos phthonou phthónou phthonous phthónousLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 27:18 N-AMSGRK: ὅτι διὰ φθόνον παρέδωκαν αὐτόν NAS: that because of envy they had handed KJV: that for envy they had delivered him. INT: that through envy they delivered up him Mark 15:10 N-AMS Romans 1:29 N-GMS Galatians 5:21 N-NMP Philippians 1:15 N-AMS 1 Timothy 6:4 N-NMS Titus 3:3 N-DMS James 4:5 N-AMS 1 Peter 2:1 N-AMP Strong's Greek 5355 |
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