Definition and Nature:
Envy, often synonymous with jealousy, is a feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, or possessions. In the biblical context, envy is considered a sin that stems from pride and selfishness, leading to discord and strife among individuals and communities.

Biblical References:

1. Old Testament:
· Genesis 37:11: "And his brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind." This verse refers to Joseph's brothers, who envied him for his dreams and their father's favoritism, leading to their betrayal of him.
· Proverbs 14:30: "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones." This proverb highlights the destructive nature of envy, contrasting it with the peace and health that come from a content heart.

2. New Testament:
· Mark 15:10: "For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over." This passage reveals that the religious leaders' envy of Jesus' influence and authority contributed to their decision to seek His crucifixion.
· 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." Envy is listed among the works of the flesh, indicating its incompatibility with a life led by the Spirit.

Theological Insights:

· Root of Envy: Envy often arises from a lack of trust in God's provision and a failure to appreciate one's own blessings. It reflects a heart that is not content with God's will and timing.

· Consequences of Envy: Envy can lead to a host of other sins, including hatred, deceit, and violence. It disrupts relationships and communities, as seen in the account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:3-8) and the division among the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 3:3).

· Overcoming Envy: Scripture encourages believers to cultivate contentment and gratitude as antidotes to envy. Philippians 4:11-13 speaks to learning contentment in all circumstances through Christ's strength. Additionally, love, as described in 1 Corinthians 13:4, "does not envy," suggesting that genuine love for others can overcome envious feelings.

Practical Application:

· Self-Examination: Believers are called to examine their hearts for envy and confess it as sin. James 3:14-16 warns against harboring bitter envy and selfish ambition, which lead to disorder and evil practices.

· Cultivating Contentment: Practicing gratitude and focusing on God's faithfulness can help believers resist envy. Hebrews 13:5 advises, "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, for God has said: 'Never will I leave you, never will I forsake you.'"

· Encouraging Others: Instead of envying others, Christians are encouraged to rejoice with those who rejoice (Romans 12:15) and to build each other up in love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24).

Envy, as depicted in the Bible, is a destructive force that believers are urged to overcome through the power of the Holy Spirit, fostering a life marked by love, contentment, and gratitude.1. (a.) Malignant; mischievous; spiteful.

2. (a.) Feeling or exhibiting envy; actuated or directed by, or proceeding from, envy; -- said of a person, disposition, feeling, act, etc.; jealously pained by the excellence or good fortune of another; maliciously grudging; -- followed by of, at, and against; as, an envious man, disposition, attack; envious tongues.

3. (a.) Inspiring envy.

4. (a.) Excessively careful; cautious.

4190. poneros -- toilsome, bad
... Word Origin from poneo (to toil) Definition toilsome, bad NASB Word Usage bad (5),
crimes (1), envious (1), envy* (1), evil (50), evil one (5), evil things (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4190.htm - 8k

2206. zeloo -- to be jealous
... NASB Word Usage am jealous (1), becoming jealous (1), desire earnestly (2), eagerly
seek (1), eagerly sought (1), earnestly desire (1), envious (1), jealous (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2206.htm - 7k

7065. qanah -- to be jealous or zealous
... Word Origin denominative verb from qinah Definition to be jealous or zealous NASB
Word Usage became envious (1), became jealous (1), been very zealous (2 ...
/hebrew/7065.htm - 6k

How the Kindly-Disposed and the Envious are to be Admonished.
... THE Book of Pastoral Rule, and Selected Epistles, OF GREGORY THE GREAT BISHOP OF
ROME, Chapter X. How the kindly-disposed and the envious are to be admonished. ...
/.../leo/writings of leo the great/chapter x how the kindly-disposed.htm

Whether Envy is a Mortal Sin?
... i): "I myself have seen and known even a baby envious, it could not speak, yet it
turned pale and looked bitterly on its foster-brother." Therefore envy is not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether envy is a mortal.htm

Whether Envy is a Kind of Sorrow?
... v, 46) of the envious man that "self-inflicted pain wounds the pining spirit, which
is racked by the prosperity of another." Therefore envy is not a kind of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether envy is a kind.htm

Psalm XXXVII.
... 3. "Be not envious because of evil-doers, neither be envious against the workers
of iniquity" (ver.1). "For they shall soon wither like the grass, and shall ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxvii.htm

Letter xvi. Charity.
... themselves. This is a sure indication of an envious disposition. ... tyrannical.
An envious disposition argues, 1. A want of self-respect. ...
/.../a practical directory for young christian females/letter xvi charity.htm

The Ending of the Book Brings an Exhortation to Avoid Ill-Will...
... 152. My sons, avoid wicked men, guard against the envious. There is this
difference between a wicked and an envious man: the wicked ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx the ending of.htm

Treatise x. On Jealousy and Envy.
... 1. To be jealous of what you see to be good, and to be envious of those who are
better than yourself, seems, beloved brethren, in the eyes of some people to be ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise x on jealousy and.htm

Of the Advantage and Use of the World and of the Seasons.
... If He is willing and is unable, He is feeble, which is not in accordance with the
character of God; if He is able and unwilling, He is envious, which is ...
/.../chap xiii of the advantage and.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... been fulfilled? So it was in the beginning. Cain, for instance, was envious
of his brother Abel, and slew him. Enoch walked with ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

The New Commandment
... she becomes like to a hostess dying of starvation at a well-spread table, while
her guests enjoy the richest fare, and perhaps case envious glances at the ...
/.../martin/the story of a soul/chapter x the new commandment.htm

Envious (16 Occurrences)
... etc.; jealously pained by the excellence or good fortune of another; maliciously
grudging; -- followed by of, at, and against; as, an envious man, disposition ...
/e/envious.htm - 11k

Envy (56 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) Public odium; ill repute. 5. (n.) An object of envious notice or feeling. ...
"We are jealous of our own; we are envious of another man's possessions. ...
/e/envy.htm - 28k

Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... 3. (vi) To be covetous or envious; to show discontent; to murmur; to complain; to
repine; to be unwilling or reluctant. 4. (vi) To feel compunction or grief. ...
/g/grudge.htm - 13k

Doers (34 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Psalms 37:1 By David. Don't fret because of evildoers,
neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness. ...
/d/doers.htm - 15k

Fret (9 Occurrences)
... Psalms 37:1 By David. Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against
those who work unrighteousness. (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). ...
/f/fret.htm - 13k

Evildoers (46 Occurrences)
... (See RSV NIV). Psalms 37:1 By David. Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be
envious against those who work unrighteousness. (WEB KJV NAS). ...
/e/evildoers.htm - 18k

Evil (1503 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Evil eye. (Proverbs 23:6), figuratively, the envious or
covetous. (Comp. Deuteronomy 15:9; Matthew 20:15.). Noah Webster's Dictionary. ...
/e/evil.htm - 47k

Evil-doers (122 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Psalms 37:1 Fret not thyself because of evil-doers, Neither be thou envious
against them that work unrighteousness. (ASV DBY JPS). ...
/e/evil-doers.htm - 33k

Generosity (6 Occurrences)
... Generosity (6 Occurrences). Matthew 20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose
with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?' (See RSV). ...
/g/generosity.htm - 8k

Generous (17 Occurrences)
... Generous (17 Occurrences). Matthew 20:15 Have I not a right to do what I choose
with my own property? Or are you envious because I am generous?' (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/g/generous.htm - 11k

Why is God a jealous God? | GotQuestions.org

What is the difference between envy and jealousy, biblically speaking? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about envy? | GotQuestions.org

Envious: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus