Rivalry, a theme woven throughout the biblical narrative, often serves as a backdrop for exploring human nature, sin, and divine intervention. The Bible presents rivalry in various forms, from familial disputes to national conflicts, highlighting both its destructive potential and the lessons that can be drawn from it.

Old Testament Examples

1. Cain and Abel: The first recorded instance of rivalry in the Bible is between Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Genesis 4:3-8 describes how Cain's jealousy over God's favor toward Abel's offering led to the first murder. This tragic event underscores the destructive power of unchecked rivalry and jealousy.

2. Jacob and Esau: The account of Jacob and Esau, found in Genesis 25-33, is a classic example of sibling rivalry. From their struggle in the womb to Jacob's deceit in obtaining Esau's birthright and blessing, their relationship is fraught with tension. Despite their eventual reconciliation, the narrative illustrates the long-lasting impact of rivalry and deception.

3. Joseph and His Brothers: Joseph's account, detailed in Genesis 37-50, highlights the dangers of favoritism and envy. Joseph's brothers, envious of their father's preferential treatment and Joseph's dreams of supremacy, sell him into slavery. This act of rivalry sets the stage for God's providential plan to save Israel during a famine, demonstrating how God can use human conflict for His purposes.

4. Saul and David: The rivalry between King Saul and David is a significant theme in 1 Samuel. Saul's jealousy of David's military success and popularity leads to a relentless pursuit to kill him. Despite Saul's hostility, David's refusal to harm the Lord's anointed (1 Samuel 24:6) exemplifies restraint and respect for God's sovereignty.

New Testament Insights

1. The Disciples: Even among Jesus' disciples, rivalry was present. In Mark 9:33-34, the disciples argue about who among them is the greatest. Jesus addresses this by teaching them about humility and servanthood, emphasizing that true greatness in the kingdom of God is measured by one's willingness to serve others (Mark 9:35).

2. Paul's Writings: The Apostle Paul frequently addresses rivalry within the early church. In Philippians 2:3, he admonishes believers, "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves." Paul warns against the divisive nature of rivalry and encourages unity and humility.

3. James on Envy and Strife: The Epistle of James speaks directly to the issue of rivalry, linking it to envy and selfish ambition. James 3:16 states, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This passage highlights the chaos and moral decay that result from unchecked rivalry.

Theological Reflections

Rivalry in the Bible often stems from human sinfulness, including jealousy, pride, and ambition. It serves as a reminder of the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine grace and redemption. The biblical response to rivalry is rooted in humility, love, and reconciliation, as exemplified by Christ's teachings and actions. Through the lens of Scripture, believers are called to rise above rivalry, seeking peace and unity within the body of Christ and the broader community.Philippians 1:15
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will:
Topicalbible.org

(n.) The act of rivaling, or the state of being a rival; a competition.2052. eritheia -- rivalry, hence ambition
... rivalry, hence ambition. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: eritheia
Phonetic Spelling: (er-ith-i'-ah) Short Definition: ambition, rivalry ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2052.htm - 7k

2205. zelos -- to have warmth of feeling for or against, to be ...
... Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine; Noun, Neuter Transliteration: zelos Phonetic Spelling:
(dzay'-los) Short Definition: eagerness, zeal, rivalry Definition: (a ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2205.htm - 7k

3863. parazeloo -- to provoke to jealousy
... provoke to jealousy. From para and zeloo; to stimulate alongside, ie Excite to rivalry
-- provoke to emulation (jealousy). see GREEK para. see GREEK zeloo. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3863.htm - 7k

7068. qinah -- ardor, zeal, jealousy
... Word Origin from an unused word Definition ardor, zeal, jealousy NASB Word Usage
anger (1), envy (1), jealousy (24), passion (1), rivalry (1), zeal (14). ...
/hebrew/7068.htm - 6k

Damasus Ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and Loss of Life Caused ...
... Book IV. Chapter XXIX."Damasus ordained Bishop of Rome. Sedition and
Loss of Life caused by the Rivalry of Ursinus. While the ...
/.../chapter xxix damasus ordained bishop of.htm

God is not a Being of Simple Goodness; Other Attributes Belong to ...
... Again, [2648] nothing will ever run its course without hostile rivalry,
[2649] which shall not (itself) be without a hostile aspect. ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxv god is not a.htm

Letter viii . --To a Student of the Classics.
... And the special theme of his exultation is the rivalry between the two, Ulysses
and Telemachus, for the highest meed of valour, though it is true that the ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/letter viii to a student.htm

The Wide Range of God's Grace
... There is rivalry, but you know as well as I do that, shabby and shameful as it is,
it is a kind of commercial rivalry between contiguous places of worship, be ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/the wide range of gods.htm

Having done Enough, Then, as we have Said, in Regard to that ...
... since where there is pleasure, there is keenness of feeling giving pleasure its
zest; and where there is keenness of feeling, there is rivalry giving in turn ...
/.../tertullian/the shows or de spectaculis/chapter xv having done enough.htm

For this Deep and Disabling Reason Therefore, Its Cynical and ...
... Just as the rivalry of armaments is only a sort of sulky plagiarism, so
the rivalry of parties is only a sort of sulky inheritance. ...
/.../chesterton/whats wrong with the world/chapter 39 for this deep.htm

Each Side Claims to Possess the True Gospel Antiquity the ...
... error. A thing must exist prior to its suffering any casualty; [3566] and
an object [3567] must precede all rivalry to itself. Else ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter iv each side claims to.htm

Warp-Threads.
... This is used to make trouble. It stirs up gossipy disputings. It is made
to look like a jealous rivalry between the two men. And ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on johns gospel/warp-threads.htm

Chapter xxx
... On the one hand, though, indeed, it merely looks like rivalry between two sisters,
there is a higher element involved on the part of both: they strive with one ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xxx.htm

John iii. 22
... Why then did he baptize?" It was that he might not excite his disciples to
even stronger rivalry, and make them more contentious still. ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xxix john iii 22.htm

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)
...Rivalry (8 Occurrences). ... Philippians 1:16 the one, indeed, of rivalry the Christ
do proclaim, not purely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds, (YLT). ...
/r/rivalry.htm - 8k

Jealous (43 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Apprehensive; anxious; suspiciously watchful. 3. (a.) Exacting
exclusive devotion; intolerant of rivalry. 4. (a.) Disposed ...
/j/jealous.htm - 20k

Vie (2 Occurrences)
... See Revie. 3. (vt) To stake; to wager. 4. (vt) To do or produce in emulation,
competition, or rivalry; to put in competition; to bandy. ...
/v/vie.htm - 7k

Emulation (5 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The endeavor to equal or to excel another in
qualities or actions; an assiduous striving to equal or excel another; rivalry. ...
/e/emulation.htm - 9k

Maccabaeus
... mak-a-be'-us (Makkabaios), mak'-a-bez (hoi Makkabaioi): I. PALESTINE UNDER KINGS
OF SYRIA 1. Rivalry of Syria and Egypt 2. Palestine Seized by Antiochus the ...
/m/maccabaeus.htm - 17k

Maccabees
... mak-a-be'-us (Makkabaios), mak'-a-bez (hoi Makkabaioi): I. PALESTINE UNDER KINGS
OF SYRIA 1. Rivalry of Syria and Egypt 2. Palestine Seized by Antiochus the ...
/m/maccabees.htm - 52k

Zeal (45 Occurrences)
... opposers; (YLT). James 3:14 and if bitter zeal ye have, and rivalry in your
heart, glory not, nor lie against the truth; (YLT). James 3 ...
/z/zeal.htm - 21k

Judah (802 Occurrences)
... resources (49:22;). The rivalry between the two tribes, thus early visible,
culminated in the disruption of the kingdom. To Judah ...
/j/judah.htm - 101k

Proclaim (172 Occurrences)
... Philippians 1:16 the one, indeed, of rivalry the Christ do proclaim, not
purely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds, (YLT). ...
/p/proclaim.htm - 36k

Proverbs (11 Occurrences)
... of men and commending to them her ways (Proverbs 1:20-33; Proverbs 8:1-21, 32-36);
she condescends, for right and purity's sake, to enter into rivalry with the ...
/p/proverbs.htm - 43k

What does the Bible say about how to handle a sibling rivalry? | GotQuestions.org

What does the Bible say about family conflict? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Zebulun in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Rivalry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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