What Is Envy vs. Jealousy in the Bible?
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Envy and jealousy are closely linked in the Bible, sometimes even used simultaneously, but subtle differences impact both the heart and the consequences that follow.
Both envy and jealousy desire something they want or don’t have, but jealousy often takes it a step further. An example of how the differences in envy and jealousy could possibly play out:
A friend recently found out she’s expecting. She and her husband were happy about the news even though they’d not planned on starting a family for years. But in the blink of an eye, she has it all. You, however, have a heart that breaks a little more each month, a strained family budget due to fertility tests and treatments, and an emptiness that’s hard to fill.
Envy: As a friend, you are genuinely happy for her. You pray for her and the baby, but you wish you were experiencing the same joyful news. There’s a tinge of sadness and discontentment, but it’s overridden by joy for your friend and your trust in God’s sovereign timing.
Jealousy: That tinge of sadness lingers, eventually allowing bitterness to take root in your heart. Thoughts like she wasn’t even trying to get pregnant play in your mind on repeat. Resentment grows, the desire to spend time with her begins to wane, and eventually, the friendship ends.
Disappointment led to sadness, which led to discontentment, opening the door for bitterness to take root and for resentment to grow. Envy often focuses on the thing we want, which can lead to jealousy, which often focuses on the person who possesses what we want.
How Does the Bible Define Envy?
The Bible leaves no wiggle room when defining envy. In Galatians 5:19-21 NASB, the word “envy” is sandwiched between the two words “heresies” and “murder” and defined as the “works of the flesh.” James 3:16 calls envy an evil practice and a cause of disorder.
We know the well-known stories of envy and jealousy in the Bible—Cain and Abel, Joseph and his brothers, King Saul and David. But envy was also found in the Garden of Eden:
“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, ‘Did God really say, “You must not eat from any tree in the garden”?’
The woman said to the serpent, ‘We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, “You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”’
‘You will not certainly die,’ the serpent said to the woman. ‘For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.’
When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it” (Genesis 3:1-6a).
The serpent tempted Eve, and despite having a perfect life, she literally became ensnarled by envy—wanting to be like her all-knowing God.
Also, Matthew 27:18 NASB says that Jesus knew envy caused the Jews to turn Him over to be crucified. They envied the crowds He drew, and the many lives changed because of His miracles and teachings. This example, and the above account in Genesis 3, give us a sober glimpse into the magnitude of spiritual destruction caused by envy.
How Does the Bible Define Jealousy?
The Bible defines jealousy negatively or positively, depending on the person and their motive.
In 1 Corinthians 3:3, Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers by pointing out that they are not choosing to live by the Spirit but rather the flesh. He wants to teach them deeper truths, but they cannot spiritually digest such truths because they’re “mere infants” in Christ. Their spiritual growth was stunted by jealousy and quarreling among themselves, which Paul refers to as being worldly. When we act on the fleshly tendency to be jealous, we’re not walking in the power and strength of the Holy Spirit.
One positive portrayal is God’s jealousy for us, as seen in Exodus 20:1-26 when God warns the Israelites against making idols and bowing down to them or serving them.
In Law and Liberty, Alan Redpath said, “God’s jealousy is love in action. He refuses to share the human heart with any rival, not because He is selfish and wants us all for Himself, but because He knows that upon that loyalty to Him depends on our very moral life… God is not jealous of us: He is jealous for us.”
Another positive example of jealousy is found in 2 Corinthians 11:2-3. “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.”
The word “jealous” in this verse is the word zelos in Greek. It can be used for either positive or negative purposes. In this verse, we see Paul describe it as a “godly jealousy.” The word refers to his intense zeal for truth and for those he had fathered into the faith. He wanted them to remain spiritually pure and steadfast in their doctrine.
Are Envy and Jealousy Both Sinful?
Are envy and jealousy both sinful? Yes and no.
Both envy and jealousy share the following characteristics:
- They are works of the flesh. (Galatians 5:19-21)
- They are contrary to love. (1 Corinthians 13:4)
- They reflect our lives pre-Christ. (Titus 3:3)
- They focus on self, not others. (Philippians 2:3-4)
- They promote bitterness and resentment. (Hebrews 12:15)
- They create disorder. (James 3:16)
- They can result in physical harm to others. (Genesis 4:8, James 4:2)
- They nullify contentment. (1 Timothy 6:6)
As noted above, jealousy is not sinful when it pertains to God and to those who are zealous for truth.
How Do We Practice Godly Jealousy?
So, what does Paul’s description of “godly jealousy” mean for believers today when faced with righteous indignation? Titus tells us in 1:9 that we must hold firm to the trustworthy word so we can give instruction in sound doctrine and rebuke those who contradict it. Although Titus was referring to elders here, the underlying principles apply to every defender of the faith.
First, we must know sound doctrine for ourselves. Then, we stand firm in what we know, ready to defend this trustworthy word against those who contradict it. It is worth noting how Jesus responded negatively to violent reactions toward those who dishonored God. In Matthew 26:52, Jesus rebuked Peter for cutting off Malchus’s ear, and in Luke 9:55-56, Jesus rebuked James and John for threatening to call fire down from heaven to destroy those in the Samaritan village.
Like Paul, we should feel righteous jealousy when defending truth, while remembering that our true enemy requires different weaponry (Ephesians 6). Ultimately, victory is found in trusting God for the final judgment.
How Do We Escape Envy and Jealousy?
Escaping envy and jealousy is virtually impossible because we remain in bodies of flesh, but what we allow to enter our hearts and minds is within our control. Years ago, I heard a preacher put it this way: “While we can’t control what thoughts knock on the door of our mind, we can control what thoughts we invite to come in and take a seat.”
“We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5).
How Do We Overcome Envy and Jealousy?
We overcome envy and jealousy in the same way Jesus defeated temptation in the wilderness—by combating lies with God’s truth:
- Guard against envy and jealousy. Galatians 5:26 alludes to the importance of staying on guard against these emotions. We do this by asking God to search and examine our hearts frequently, repenting, leaning on God’s power, and remaining spiritually alert to the Holy Spirit’s conviction. Having an accountability partner can also help in these efforts.
- Submit, resist, and come near to God. James 4:7-8a commands us to freely give ourselves to God, to resist the enemy’s schemes, and to draw near to God, confident He will come near to us.
- Take control of your mind. It is the enemy’s main target. Colossians 3:2 commands us to set our minds on things above, not on earthly things. It’s not easy, but it is doable because of the Holy Spirit.
- Get rid of it. God commands us in 1 Peter 2:1 to rid ourselves of envy and jealousy. We are spiritually equipped to “rid ourselves” of these sins. (Hebrews 13:21).
- Be content. “The cure for the sin of envy and jealousy is to find our contentment in God.” ⏤ Jerry Bridges
A Prayer for Combating Envy and Jealousy
Heavenly Father, how gracious and loving of You to provide every spiritual blessing to help me combat harmful emotions. I am not helpless in Christ! Give me eyes to see others as You see them, and prompt me to pray the moment I feel a tinge of envy or jealousy. You are more than enough, and I rest in joyful contentment. Amen.
Photo Credit: Getty Images/fizkes
