Love Does Not Envy

So far, the apostle Paul has described love’s positive traits – a couple of them
anyway. Next, he pivots to speak in negative terms to enumerate what love isn’t. To
understand a term or concept, it can be just as helpful to consider what it isn’t as
opposed to what it is. Often, it’s the negative aspects that hit the hardest.
“Love does not envy or boast.” It’s interesting that he doesn’t say love isn’t jealous. But
aren’t jealousy and envy the same thing? Yes and no.

According to the New Bible Dictionary, “Jealousy makes us fear to lose what we
possess; envy creates sorrow that others have what we have not.” Jealousy usually
springs from some perceived rivalry with another. Imagine two associates seeking the
same promotion in their department. One employee is jealous of his co–worker
because he fears the co–worker has more knowledge and skill, giving him an
advantage. If the more qualified associate does get promoted, the loser’s jealousy
turns to envy as he bears resentment towards his co–worker for getting the promotion
instead of him. It’s a subtle difference, but the Bible recognizes the two terms aren’t
exactly the same because both are mentioned by Paul in his list of “works of the flesh”
in Gal.5:19–21.

Jealousy can be a positive depending on the object of the emotion and the
circumstances behind it. For instance, God describes Himself as a “jealous God” who
warns Israel of the consequences of unfaithfulness to His covenant (Ex.20:5; see also
2 Cor.11:2). Could anyone blame a wife for being jealous upon the discovery her
husband has a mistress?

But envy is always presented in the scriptures as a negative and sinful. A word search
in the ESV translation generates 16 results and every occurrence frames it as evil. It
appears in multiple lists of sins that include such evil works as malice, covetousness,
pride, and slander. (see Mk.7:22; Rom.1:29; 1 Pet.2:1).
It was envy that drove the Lord’s enemies to deliver him up to Pilate (Mt.27:18;
Mk.15:10); it was out of envy that some preached the gospel seeking to damage Paul
(Php.1:15). There is nothing good about envy; it’s an emotion that grows out of hate,
not love.

Paul adds that love doesn’t boast. You might expect him to mention boasting in
connection to his next statement about love, that it isn’t arrogant. But boasting
sometimes proceeds from envy. An envious person can easily be tempted to boast if
he thinks it will propel him past his rival. Paul was forced to contend with certain
teachers who’d crept in, boasting how great they were while disparaging him (2
Cor.10:10–12).

Finally, envy robs one’s happiness and peace of mind. “A tranquil heart gives life to
the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” (Proverbs 14:30 ESV).

Love is pleased and gives thanks to God when others prosper; it is never disturbed
when it sees people doing well.
–Kurt Paquette