They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words …that result in envy…
Summary: Words are important, and in this passage, Paul begins to explain why.
When Paul talks about words that result in envy, my mind immediately goes to the Tenth Commandment:
“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 22:17)
“Covet” and “envy” are similar to “jealousy,” but all three are different.
To “covet” means you hunger for more of something. It is sometimes used in a sentence like “I covet my time with you” or “I covet owning fast cars.”
Jealousy can mean envy, but it is also a burning desire to protect what is yours. If someone envies your wife or husband, you might feel the same jealousy God feels when his Word says, “For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24).
Envy is a desire to have what belongs to someone else. When it comes to churches, one thing people often envy is the authority and respect accorded to church leaders.
For example, in the early days of the church, shortly after Pentecost, the Holy Spirit worked many healing miracles, signs, and wonders through the Apostles. Crowds were drawn to these men, and people marveled at what they were doing.
This is exactly the kind of attention, authority, and respect that the Jewish leaders coveted. When the high priest and his associates, members of the Sadducees, saw this, they were filled with envy (Acts 5:17, WEB). They had to take what the Apostles had, so they threw them in prison, hoping the people would return to them. Of course, it didn’t work. They were opposing God, not men.
So how do words cause envy?
When people resort to arguments over words, what often prevails is wit, not wisdom. The one who is more skilled with wordplay might appear to “win,” even if their argument lacks substance. When this happens, envy is the result. Not for the Word of God, but for the cleverness and skill that made the Word of God seem secondary to the flourish of the gilded argument.
If you ever find yourself in such an argument, be careful; envy is afoot!
Application: Stay focused on what God means in his Word, not what others argue about.
Food for Thought: What is the opposite of envy?
What is the opposite of envy?
I think the opposite of envy would be gratitude for what has already been given or promised to us. There is tranquility in gratitude; trusting in the Lord to provide all things and not concerning oneself with what others have been given. Ingratitude makes us angry and bitter; the feeling of entitlement leads us away from humility and the ability to love others.
Proverbs 14:30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.
Philippians 2:3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
My last thought on this is that gratitude brings us together, unites us in rejoicing with one another. It also enables us to comfort one another. Envy isolates us and divides us.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
Thank you, Chris!
That is a really great insight. (And you’re right – my gratitude feels great! 🙂 )
Good comments as always CH.
I think the opposite of envying what someone else has or does is to rejoice in what someone else has or does. When someone says or does something well to speak highly of them and rejoice in the gifts and talents they have and how God has used them. So genuine encouragement could be a part of the opposite of envy. We certainly rejoice in Jesus and praise Him. If we seek the glory that belongs to Him then we can actually be envious of Christ Himself and the glory He receives. We want some of that. But if we seek His glory we exalt Him, not ourselves. So selflessness and humility would also be connected to this discussion.
Thank you, Rich!
Excellent point. Imagine a world where we saw more of what you just described! 🙂