Envy, Envying
Envy, Envying
“envy,” is the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing of the advantage or prosperity of others; this evil sense always attaches to this word, Mat 27:18; Mar 15:10; Rom 1:29; Gal 5:21; Phi 1:15; 1Ti 6:4; Tit 3:3; 1Pe 2:1; so in Jam 4:5, where the question is rhetorical and strongly remonstrative, signifying that the Spirit (or spirit) which God made to dwell in us was certainly not so bestowed that we should be guilty of “envy.”
Note: Zelos, “zeal or jealousy,” translated “envy” in the AV, in Act 13:45; Rom 13:13; 1Co 3:3; 2Co 12:20; Jam 3:14, Jam 3:16, is to be distinguished from phthonos, and, apart from the meanings “zeal” and “indignation,” is always translated “jealousy” in the RV. The distinction lies in this, that “envy” desires to deprive another of what he has, “jealousy” desires to have the same or the same sort of thing for itself. See FERVENT, INDIGNATION, JEALOUSY, ZEAL.
“to envy” (akin to A.), is used in Gal 5:26.
denotes “to be zealous, moved with jealousy,” Act 7:9; Act 17:5, RV, “moved with jealousy” (AV, “moved with envy”); both have “envieth” in 1Co 13:4. See the Note under A. See AFFECT, COVET, DESIRE, JEALOUS, ZEALOUS.