Definition and Nature:
Envy, often referred to as "envies" in biblical texts, is a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, or possessions. It is considered a sin that stems from pride and selfishness, leading to resentment and bitterness. Envy is a destructive emotion that can disrupt personal relationships and community harmony.

Biblical References and Context:
The Bible addresses envy as a significant moral and spiritual issue. In the Old Testament, envy is first seen in the account of Cain and Abel, where Cain's envy of Abel's favor with God leads to the first murder (Genesis 4:3-8). Proverbs 14:30 warns, "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

In the New Testament, envy is listed among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God."

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Envy is seen as contrary to the Christian virtues of love, contentment, and humility. It is a barrier to spiritual growth and a hindrance to living a life that reflects the character of Christ. James 3:14-16 states, "But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such 'wisdom' does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice."

Examples and Consequences:
The Bible provides numerous examples of envy and its consequences. Joseph's brothers envied him for his father's favoritism and his dreams, leading them to sell him into slavery (Genesis 37:11, 28). King Saul's envy of David's success and popularity led to a relentless pursuit to kill him (1 Samuel 18:6-9).

Overcoming Envy:
Scripture encourages believers to overcome envy through love and humility. Romans 13:13-14 advises, "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh."

The antidote to envy is found in the practice of love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4: "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud." By focusing on love and gratitude, believers can cultivate a heart that rejoices in the blessings of others and finds contentment in God's provision.

Practical Application:
Christians are called to examine their hearts and rid themselves of envy by seeking the Holy Spirit's guidance and strength. Prayer, meditation on Scripture, and fellowship with other believers can help in overcoming envy. By fostering a spirit of thankfulness and focusing on one's own God-given gifts and calling, believers can live in peace and harmony with others, reflecting the love of Christ in their lives.(n.) Plural of Envy.5355. phthonos -- envy
... 5355 ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . .without longing to
raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5355.htm - 7k

Saul Envies David for his Glorious Success, and Takes an Occasion ...
... Saul Envies David For His Glorious Success, And Takes An Occasion Of Entrapping
Him, From The Promise He Made Him Of Giving Him His Daughter In Marriage; But ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 10 saul envies david.htm

But the Devil, who Hates and Envies what is Good...
... Life of Antony. Section 5. But the devil, who hates and envies what is
good? 5. But the devil, who hates and envies what is good ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 5.htm

That Sadness is Almost Always Useless, Yea Contrary to the Service ...
... thither in the understanding, he makes a charge upon the affections, bearing them
down with distrust, jealousies, aversions, envies, superfluous apprehensions ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter xxi that sadness is.htm

Whether Christ Should have Been Tempted in the Desert?
... of Adam's delivery from exile," who had been expelled from paradise into the desert,
and "set an example to us, by showing that the devil envies those who ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ should have been 5.htm

The Hope of Future Bliss
... own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly." "They are full of children, and leave
the rest of their substance to their babes." But David envies them not. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/the hope of future bliss.htm

Again on the Calamity of the City of Antioch. ...
... And this is not the only evil; but that he also often envies him who hath invited
him to the feast, and returns home having received no benefit at all. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xv again on the.htm

Entire Sanctification as Taught by Peter.
... "Wherefore, laying aside all malice and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies,
and all evil speakings, as newborn babes desire the sincere milk of the word ...
/.../clark/the theology of holiness/chapter viii entire sanctification as.htm

On the Perfection of Patience.
... or in the merit of munificence, so is a man excited by worse pricks of envy, because
he desires nothing less than the ruin or death of the man whom he envies. ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter xvi on the perfection.htm

Matt. xii. 9, 10
... time accomplishes his proper sin; but the envious man punishes himself, and takes
vengeance upon himself more than on the person whom he envies, and never ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily xl matt xii 9.htm

On the Difficulties and Duties of the Christian Life.
... is but to see, at a huge distance, that felicity which I am not able to reach; like
a man in a shipwreck, who discerns the land, and envies the happiness of ...
/.../scougal/the life of god in the soul of man/part iii on the difficulties.htm

Envies (2 Occurrences)
...Envies (2 Occurrences). ... 1 Peter 2:1 Putting away therefore all wickedness, all deceit,
hypocrisies, envies, and all evil speaking, (WEB KJV ASV BBE WBS). ...
/e/envies.htm - 7k

Envied (8 Occurrences)

/e/envied.htm - 8k

Guile (21 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, all evil speakings, (KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). ...
/g/guile.htm - 15k

Tricks (9 Occurrences)
... error; (BBE). 1 Peter 2:1 So putting away all wrongdoing, and all tricks
and deceits and envies and evil talk, (BBE). Numbers 25:18 ...
/t/tricks.htm - 9k

Evil-speakings (3 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore, laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, and all evil-speakings, (WBS). Revelation ...
/e/evil-speakings.htm - 7k

Enviest (1 Occurrence)

/e/enviest.htm - 6k

Deceits (9 Occurrences)
... Evil One. (BBE). 1 Peter 2:1 So putting away all wrongdoing, and all tricks
and deceits and envies and evil talk, (BBE). Psalms 10 ...
/d/deceits.htm - 9k

Malice (24 Occurrences)
... 1 Peter 2:1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, all evil speakings, (KJV DBY WBS NAS RSV NIV). ...
/m/malice.htm - 15k

Ax (12 Occurrences)
... He uses it for many purposes, where a foreigner would use a saw or chisel
or plane, and with a skill which the foreigner envies. ...
/a/ax.htm - 14k

Axe (19 Occurrences)
... He uses it for many purposes, where a foreigner would use a saw or chisel
or plane, and with a skill which the foreigner envies. ...
/a/axe.htm - 18k

Envies: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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