Definition and Nature:
Envyings, as referenced in the Bible, refer to feelings of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another. It is a sin that stems from a lack of contentment and gratitude, often leading to further sinful actions and attitudes. Envy is closely related to jealousy but is distinct in its focus on coveting what others have.

Biblical References:
The Bible addresses envy in various contexts, often warning against its destructive nature. In Galatians 5:19-21, envy is listed among the "acts of the flesh," which are contrary to the Spirit: "The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, rage, rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God" .

In the Old Testament, envy is depicted as a source of strife and conflict. Proverbs 14:30 states, "A tranquil heart is life to the body, but envy rots the bones" , illustrating the internal decay and turmoil that envy can cause. Similarly, in the account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-8), Cain's envy of Abel's favor with God leads to the first murder, highlighting the severe consequences of unchecked envy.

Moral and Spiritual Implications:
Envy is considered a grave sin because it directly opposes the virtues of love and contentment. It is a violation of the Tenth Commandment, which instructs, "You shall not covet your neighbor’s house. You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor" (Exodus 20:17). Envy undermines community and fellowship, fostering division and hostility.

The New Testament further emphasizes the need to rid oneself of envy. In 1 Peter 2:1, believers are urged to "rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind" . This call to action underscores the importance of cultivating a heart aligned with the Spirit, characterized by love, joy, peace, and other fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Examples and Lessons:
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). This act of envy set off a chain of events that, while ultimately used by God for good, caused significant suffering and family discord.

In the New Testament, the chief priests and elders handed Jesus over to Pilate out of envy (Matthew 27:18). Their envy of Jesus' influence and authority blinded them to His true identity and mission, leading to the crucifixion.

Overcoming Envy:
Scripture offers guidance on overcoming envy through the cultivation of love and humility. Romans 12:15 encourages believers to "rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep" , promoting empathy and shared joy rather than competition and resentment. Additionally, Philippians 2:3 advises, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves" , fostering a spirit of selflessness and contentment.

By focusing on gratitude and the blessings God has provided, believers can combat envy and cultivate a heart that reflects the love and peace of Christ.

Of Carnal Life, which is to be Understood not Only of Living in ...
... fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 2 of carnal life which.htm

Fruits and the Two Works.
... fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulation, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /chapter vi fruits and the.htm

On Human Temptations.
... idolatry, poisonings, [2625] hatred, contentions, emulations, wrath, quarrelling,
dissensions, heresies, sects, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and the like ...
/.../origen/origen de principiis/chapter iv on human temptations.htm

The Battle of Life
... after mere animal pleasure, but 'hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions,
heresies'"ie, factions in Church or State"'envyings, murders, and ...
/.../kingsley/the water of life and other sermons/sermon vii the battle of.htm

The Holy Spirit Bringing Forth in the Believer Christlike Graces ...
... uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths,
factions, divisions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings and such ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter xiii the holy spirit.htm

Judged by Fruit
... fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness ...
/.../howard/standards of life and service/xi judged by fruit.htm

The Sixth Commandment
... Genesis 37:20. Envy and murder are near akin, therefore the apostle puts
them together. Envyings, murders.' Galatians 5:21. Envy ...
/.../watson/the ten commandments/2 6 the sixth commandment.htm

Protesting Our Innocence?
... adultery, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, divisions, parties, envyings, murders, drunkenness ...
/.../hession/the calvary road/chapter 10 protesting our innocence.htm

And Also, when He Exhorts Us, that we Live not after the Flesh...
... fornications, uncleannesses, luxuries, idolatry, witchcrafts, hatreds, contentions,
emulations, wraths, strifes, heresies, envyings, drunkennesses, revellings ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 9 and also when.htm

Fourteenth Sunday after Trinity Works of the Flesh and Fruits of ...
... uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies,
wraths, factions, divisions, parties, 21 envyings, drunkenness, revellings ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/fourteenth sunday after trinity works.htm

Envyings (3 Occurrences)
...Envyings (3 Occurrences). Galatians 5:20 enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts
of passion, intrigues, dissensions, factions, envyings; (WEY). ...
/e/envyings.htm - 7k

Envying (8 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice ...
/e/envying.htm - 8k

Envy (56 Occurrences)
... 106:16 Proverbs 3:31, etc.; in the New Testament it is the translation of phthonos,
"envy" (Matthew 27:18 Romans 1:29 Galatians 5:21, "envyings," etc.); of ...
/e/envy.htm - 28k

Orgies (4 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice ...
/o/orgies.htm - 8k

Warned (63 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice ...
/w/warned.htm - 25k

Warn (35 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice ...
/w/warn.htm - 17k

Intrigues (4 Occurrences)
... Intrigues (4 Occurrences). Galatians 5:20 enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts
of passion, intrigues, dissensions, factions, envyings; (WEY). ...
/i/intrigues.htm - 7k

Inherit (98 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice ...
/i/inherit.htm - 38k

Forewarn (9 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of
which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice ...
/f/forewarn.htm - 9k

Factions (5 Occurrences)
... NIV). Galatians 5:20 enmity, strife, jealousy, outbursts of passion, intrigues,
dissensions, factions, envyings; (WEY ASV NAS NIV). 1 ...
/f/factions.htm - 7k

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