Envy

Wayne Galloway
02/09/13 - N/A

Series: Additional Studies

Introduction:

1.  In the NASB the words “envy” and “envying” occur 14 times.

a.  4 times in the O.T.

b.  10 times in the N.T.

2.  In addition “envied” and “envious” occur another 8 times.

a.  6 times in the O.T.

b.  2 times in the N.T.

3.  Envy is always spoken of in the negative. 4.  It is used in lists of sins alongside of murder, sensuality, deceit, strife, malice, slander, drunkenness and carousing. 5.  What is envy?  What does the Bible say about it?  How can I avoid it?

Discussion:

I.  In an attempt to try to understand what it is and what the Bible says about it let us consider all 22 passages where the term occurs.

A.  The very first occurrence is in Gen. 26:14.

1.  Isaac worked as a farmer and had become very wealthy.

a.  His crops produced abundantly.

b.  His flocks and herds multiplied.

c.  He grew richer and richer for the Lord blessed him.

2.  The Philistines envied him.

a.  As a result they stopped up his wells.

b.  Isaac moved.

3.  This account pretty much sets the tone for our understanding of the concept of envy.

a.  The English dictionary defines envy as “discontent or ill will at another’s good fortune because one wishes it had been his” (WBD).

b.  WBD uses the word “covet” as a synonym to refer to the wish that the other’s good fortune had been one’s own.

c.  Resentment, jealousy, and even hatred can characterize the craving for the good fortune others have experienced.

d.  How often have you heard someone express envy?  “They built a house on ‘Snob  Hill.’” “He worked over there at the gas station and then built that big house.  I don’t do business with him any more.”  One man objected to giving a preacher a pay raise because he had not gotten one from his company.  Another did not want the preacher to get paid more than him.  One woman was angry when another woman had a child and she could not.

B.  The Hebrew word (qanah) translated “envied” here is translated this way 7 other times in the O.T.  Sometimes it is translated with the English synonym “jealous.”

1.  Psa. 37:1 prohibits envying wrongdoers.  Wrongdoers may profit from their wrongdoing.

a.  One who cheats on a test may have a higher score than the one who does not.

b.  The Psalm indicates that they will quickly wither like grass.

c.  And admonishes trusting in the Lord and doing good.

2.  Psa. 73:3 confesses being envious of the arrogant as he saw the prosperity of the wicked.

3.  Psa. 106:16 speaks of those who because envious of Moses and Aaron.

a.  The reference harks back to Num. 16:1ff.

b.  Korah, Dathan and Abiram rose up against Moses and Aaron saying, “The Lord is in the midst of everyone in the congregation, so why do you exalt yourselves above the assembly?”

c.  The envious often complain and try to tear down those they feel are in more exalted positions.  They can become quite malicious.

4.  The next four passages are in Proverbs.

a.  3:31-32:  “Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways.  For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; but He is intimate with the upright.”  We may wish to do violence to someone and feel restricted; another executes his violence on another.  We may envy him.

b.  23:17:  “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the Lord always.” Sin is pleasurable and we may covet its pleasures.  Don’t go there, says the Lord.

c.  24:1-2:  “Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; for their minds devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.”

d.  24:19-20:  “Do not fret because of evil doers or be envious of the wicked; for there will be no future for the evil man; the lamp of the wicked will be put out.”

C.  Another Hebrew word (ratsad) is used in Psa. 68:16 translated “envy.”

1.  Means “to watch (stealthily).”

2.  Speaks of the mountains looking upon the mountain where the Lord dwells with envy.

3.  Figurative for people looking upon the people among whom the Lord has chosen to dwell with envy.

D.  Ezek. 35:11 refers to the envy and anger of Mount Seir (the Edomites) against the sons of Israel.

1.  Note verses 1-9.

2.  God would bring His justice against them.

3.  The Edomites had hated Israel, given them over to the sword, and had been angry with them perpetually.

E.  In the N.T. there are three main words translated envy.

1.  “Poneros” (Matt. 20:15).  In the Parable of the vineyard.  Those paid the same who had worked all day were envious (evil).  “Is your eye envious (evil) because I am generous?” This word is usually translated “wicked.”  Cf. Mk. 7:22—one of the deeds that proceeds from the heart that defile a man.

2.  “Zeloo” (James 4:2).  “You are envious and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel.” In this context covetousness seems to be underlying the condemnation.

3.  “Phthonos” is the word used predominately.

a.  Jesus was delivered up because of envy (Matt. 27:18; Mk. 15:10).

b.  Rom. 1:29 in a list of sins characteristic of those given over to a depraved mind.

c.  Phil. 1:15:  some were preaching Christ from envy and strife trying to cause Paul distress in his imprisonment.

d.  Used of teachers who oppose sound doctrine and create envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, etc. (1 Tim. 6:3-5).

e.  Characteristic of life before salvation (Titus 3:3).

f.   To be put aside for the pure milk of the word (1 Pet. 2:1-2).

F.  From this survey we have a clear idea of what envy is.  It is wanting (coveting) someone else’s good fortune.  Often results in anger, resentment, malice, hatred toward them evidenced in taking destructive actions against them.  Thus it can take various forms: racism, theft, slander, etc.

II.  Where does envy stem from?  Diminished feelings about oneself by comparison to some other that we think has it better than us. III.  How can we offset it?

A.  By entrusting ourselves to the Lord.

B.  By taking our value as inherent from our being created in God’s image.  This stands in contrast with taking our self-image from what we have or do not have.

C.  Living by the Spirit; walking by the Spirit (Gal. 5:25-26).

1.  Carnal (fleshly) perspectives are given to envying.

2.  Spiritual perspectives are different.

Conclusion:

1.  Envy.  We have been tempted. 2.  We have probably been guilty. 3.  We need to give ourselves to rejoicing over the good fortune of others.