Enviously
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Definition and Meaning:
Enviously refers to the feeling or expression of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, or qualities. It is often associated with jealousy and a desire for what others have. In the biblical context, envy is considered a sin and is often linked with strife and discord.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses envy in various passages, highlighting its destructive nature and the moral imperative to avoid it. 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 states, "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones." This verse underscores the corrosive effect of envy on one's well-being, contrasting it with the peace that comes from contentment.

In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently warns against envy. In Galatians 5:19-21 , envy is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to living by the Spirit: "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."

James 3:14-16 also addresses the issue of envy, linking it to disorder and evil practices: "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."

Theological Implications:
Envy is seen as a violation of the Tenth Commandment, which instructs against coveting anything that belongs to one's neighbor (Exodus 20:17). It is a sin that arises from a lack of trust in God's provision and a failure to love one's neighbor as oneself. Envy can lead to other sins, such as theft, murder, and deceit, as individuals act on their covetous desires.

The Bible encourages believers to cultivate contentment and gratitude as antidotes to envy. Philippians 4:11-13 illustrates the Apostle Paul's contentment in all circumstances: "I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength."

Practical Application:
Christians are called to examine their hearts for envy and to seek the Holy Spirit's help in overcoming it. This involves recognizing the sovereignty and goodness of God, trusting in His perfect plan, and rejoicing in the blessings of others. Romans 12:15 encourages believers to "Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep," fostering a spirit of empathy and community rather than competition and envy.

By focusing on the eternal riches found in Christ and the unique calling God has for each individual, believers can find freedom from the bondage of envy and live in the joy and peace that comes from a heart aligned with God's will.
Library

Galatians Chapter iii.
... and wealth and sovereignty and pomp are perceived by the eye, therefore he calls
the eye evil; not as beholding merely, but as beholding enviously from some ...
/.../galatians chapter iii.htm

Marcellus, as Might Well be Expected, was Exceedingly Gratified by ...
... But about midnight sleep enviously and inopportunely crept upon us, and with necks
drooping and unstrung, and heads hanging down, it made our faces strike ...
/.../2 marcellus as might well.htm

Meditations of the Misery of a Man not Reconciled to God in Christ ...
... being unthankful for all the benefits which God bestowed on them, they became
malcontent with their present state, as if God had dealt enviously or stingy ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations of the misery of.htm

The Soul is not to Afflict it Self, nor Intermit Prayer, Because ...
... And to the end , thou mayest not suffer thy self to be transported, by the violent
suggestion of the Enemy, who will enviously perswade thee, that thou do'st ...
/.../the spiritual guide which disentangles the soul/chap iv the soul is.htm

Exhortation to the Cultivation of virginity; a Passage from the ...
... as when the moon brightly shining fills the heaven with its light, and all the air
becomes clear, but suddenly the clouds from the west, enviously rushing in ...
/.../chapter iv exhortation to the cultivation.htm

Whether we are to Believe that Angels, who are of a Spiritual ...
... reserved unto judgment." [845] I think he rather speaks of these who first apostatized
from God, along with their chief the devil, who enviously deceived the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 23 whether we are to.htm

Bad Ecclesiastics and Base Plots
... He had been fired to struggle out of his provincial obscurity by the success'"for
so he enviously regarded it"of Antiochus, Bishop of another Syrian town ...
/.../chapter xxxix bad ecclesiastics and.htm

Letter Lxxii. (AD 404. )
... It is not for one of my years to give the impression of enviously disparaging
one whom I ought rather to encourage by approbation. ...
/.../augustine/the confessions and letters of st/letter lxxii a d 404.htm

On Appeal.
... Most of us enter into life with a genius for doing everything in the wrong way,
and we can only look enviously upon our more richly endowed brethren and learn ...
/.../jackson/the message and the man/chapter iii on appeal.htm

How the Temple was Built While the Cutheans Endeavored in Vain to ...
... 9. [7] But the Samaritans, being evil and enviously disposed to the Jews, wrought
them many mischiefs, by reliance on their riches, and by their pretense that ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 how the temple.htm

Thesaurus
Enviously (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Enviously (1 Occurrence). James ... vain? Does the Spirit
which has taken his abode in us desire enviously? (DBY). ...
/e/enviously.htm - 6k

Envious (16 Occurrences)

/e/envious.htm - 11k

Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... direct and indirect objects. 2. (vt) To hold or harbor with malicioua
disposition or purpose; to cherish enviously. 3. (vi) To be ...
/g/grudge.htm - 13k

Environ (1 Occurrence)

/e/environ.htm - 6k

Abode (112 Occurrences)
... (KJV WBS). James 4:5 Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit
which has taken his abode in us desire enviously? (DBY). ...
/a/abode.htm - 36k

Speaks (109 Occurrences)
... James 4:5 Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which
has taken his abode in us desire enviously? (DBY NAS). ...
/s/speaks.htm - 34k

Resources
Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Concordance
Enviously (1 Occurrence)

James 4:5
Think ye that the scripture speaks in vain? Does the Spirit which has taken his abode in us desire enviously?
(DBY)

Subtopics

Enviously

Related Terms

Envious (16 Occurrences)

Grudge (11 Occurrences)

Environ (1 Occurrence)

Abode (112 Occurrences)

Speaks (109 Occurrences)

Envious
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