What Is the Sin of Envy?
Envy is one of the most spiritually corrosive sins in the Bible. It is a deep-rooted resentment toward the blessings, achievements, or advantages of others, often accompanied by a desire to possess what they have or to see them lose it. Unlike jealousy, which seeks to protect what belongs to oneself, envy is destructive and bitter toward others' good.
The Bible speaks directly against envy, associating it with spiritual immaturity, division, and death. It is a sin that distorts love, poisons relationships, and blinds us to God’s goodness in our own lives.
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.” - Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
Envy as One of the Seven Deadly Sins
In the traditional Christian classification of the seven deadly sins, envy stands alongside pride, greed, lust, gluttony, wrath, and sloth. These “capital vices” are so-called because they give rise to many other sins.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
Envy is especially harmful because it targets others' well-being, resenting not evil but good, whether that good is someone’s success, status, family, gifts, or spiritual calling. Envy is the opposite of love, which rejoices in others’ good.
💡 Read this article to discover the 7 deadly sins explained.
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Biblical Definition and Characteristics of Envy
Envy is defined in Scripture as a sinful desire marked by resentment toward the prosperity, success, or favor of others. It is not simply wanting what someone else has (which may lean toward coveting), but grieving that they have it at all, and sometimes even wishing they would lose it. Envy stands in direct opposition to the spirit of love, which rejoices in the good of others.
The Original Language: What the Bible Says
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew word often associated with envy is קִנְאָה (qin'ah), which can mean “envy,” “jealousy,” or “zeal,” depending on context. It becomes sinful when it arises from a selfish, resentful desire to diminish others' blessings.
In the New Testament, the Greek term φθόνος (phthonos) is used to describe envy. It is frequently listed among serious sins that mark a life lived “according to the flesh.”
“The acts of the flesh are obvious... hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy... those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” - Galatians 5:19–21 (NIV)
Envy is also mentioned in Romans 1:29, part of a long list of sins committed by those who reject God's truth.
“They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice.” - Romans 1:29 (NIV)
Spiritual Characteristics of Envy
1. Resentment Toward Others’ Good
Unlike healthy admiration or inspiration, envy is rooted in bitterness. It causes a person to mourn when others prosper.
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” - Proverbs 23:17 (NIV)
2. Discontentment with God’s Provision
Envy implies that what God has given is insufficient or unfair.
“For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” - Psalm 73:3 (NIV)
The psalmist admits to envying the wicked, but later realizes that their apparent success is fleeting, and God’s presence is his true portion.
3. Opposition to Love
Paul’s famous description of love in 1 Corinthians 13 begins by saying love “does not envy.” Envy is fundamentally incompatible with the Christian ethic of selfless love.
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” - 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NIV)
4. Source of Division and Evil
James identifies envy as a root of division, disorder, and even demonic influence in communities.
“For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” - James 3:16 (NIV)
This verse emphasizes that envy is not a passive emotion—it produces chaos, rivalry, and destruction when left unchecked.
5. Contrary to the Fruit of the Spirit
Whereas envy is a work of the flesh, the fruit of the Spirit—such as love, joy, peace, and patience—flows from a heart surrendered to Christ.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness...” - Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV)
The presence of envy in a person’s life reveals that the flesh, not the Spirit, is in control.
Biblical Examples of Envy
Throughout Scripture, envy is consistently portrayed as a destructive force that leads to division, hatred, betrayal, and even murder. The Bible doesn’t just warn against envy in abstract terms; it gives vivid examples of how this sin plays out in the lives of individuals, families, and even religious leaders. These stories serve as moral lessons and spiritual warnings for all who desire to walk in righteousness.
1. Cain and Abel - Envy That Leads to Murder
Cain and Abel were the first sons of Adam and Eve. When both brought offerings to the Lord, God accepted Abel's offering but rejected Cain’s, not because of favoritism, but because Abel offered by faith (Hebrews 11:4), while Cain’s heart was not right (1 John 3:12).
Instead of repenting, Cain allowed envy to consume him. His anger and jealousy toward his brother ultimately led to the first murder in human history.
“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.” - Genesis 4:8 (NIV):
Lesson: Envy, when nurtured, leads to hatred and violence. Instead of turning to God in humility, Cain turned against his brother in rage.
2. Joseph’s Brothers - Envy That Destroys a Family
Joseph was the favored son of Jacob, and his father gave him a richly ornamented robe. Joseph also received dreams from God that foretold his future leadership. His brothers were deeply envious of his favor and spiritual gifts.
“His brothers were jealous of him, but his father kept the matter in mind.” - Genesis 37:11 (NIV):
Their envy escalated into betrayal. They first plotted to kill him, then instead sold him into slavery and deceived their father with a false report of his death.
Lesson: Envy within families can sow deep division and long-term wounds. It thrives in comparison, favoritism, and a lack of love.
3. Saul’s Envy of David - A King Consumed by Jealousy
After David killed Goliath and began to rise in popularity, King Saul grew envious of him. The women’s songs—“Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands”—deepened Saul’s insecurity and led to relentless attempts to kill David.
“And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David.” - 1 Samuel 18:9 (NIV)
Saul’s envy robbed him of peace, clarity, and ultimately his favor with God.
Lesson: When leaders become envious of those they lead, it leads to spiritual blindness and a breakdown in godly leadership.
4. The Pharisees’ Envy of Jesus - Religious Jealousy That Led to Crucifixion
The religious leaders saw Jesus' authority, popularity, and miracles as a threat to their position. Even the Roman governor Pontius Pilate recognized their motivation for seeking Jesus’ death.
“For he knew it was out of envy that they had handed Jesus over to him.” - Matthew 27:18 (NIV)
Their envy was not just personal—it was spiritual rebellion against God’s chosen Messiah.
Lesson: Religious envy can disguise itself as zeal for truth, but it reveals a hardened heart unwilling to submit to God's work.
5. Korah’s Rebellion - Envy of Spiritual Leadership
Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron. They envied Moses' leadership and claimed that all the people were equally holy and deserved the same authority.
“You have gone too far! The whole community is holy, every one of them, and the Lord is with them. Why then do you set yourselves above the Lord’s assembly?” - Numbers 16:3 (NIV)
God judged them severely by opening the earth to swallow them alive.
Lesson: Envy of others' spiritual roles or callings can lead to rebellion against God Himself.
6. Envy in the Early Church - A Sign of Spiritual Immaturity
Paul addressed envy among the Corinthian believers, where factions had formed around different leaders (Paul, Apollos, etc.). He rebuked them for their jealousy and strife, saying it revealed their worldliness.
“You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?” - 1 Corinthians 3:3 (NIV)
Lesson: Envy among believers hinders unity, spiritual growth, and witness to the world.
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Envy vs. Jealousy: What’s the Difference?
In everyday language, envy and jealousy are often used interchangeably, but in biblical and theological contexts, they are distinct concepts with different moral and spiritual implications.
- Envy is the sinful desire to possess what belongs to someone else, coupled with resentment that they have it and you do not. It is directed at others’ blessings, such as their success, possessions, relationships, appearance, or spiritual gifts.
- Jealousy, in the Bible, can be either righteous or sinful, depending on its object and motivation. It often refers to a protective or possessive desire for something that rightly belongs to oneself.
Types of Jealousy in the Bible
1. God’s Jealousy (Righteous)
God describes Himself as “jealous” when His people worship idols or turn away from Him. This is not sinful jealousy—it is a righteous zeal to guard the covenant relationship with His people.
“Do not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” - Exodus 34:14 (NIV)
This divine jealousy is an expression of holy love and faithfulness, not insecurity or malice.
2. Human Jealousy (Sometimes Sinful)
When jealousy arises from selfishness or fear of loss without just cause, it becomes sinful. For example, King Saul’s jealousy of David (1 Samuel 18:7–9) stemmed from pride and insecurity, not righteous protection.
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition... there you find disorder and every evil practice.” - James 3:14–16 (NIV)
Continue the Conversation with Bible Chat
If this article has helped you better understand the sin of envy and how it affects your walk with God, consider taking the next step with Bible Chat app, an interactive, Scripture-based tool designed to help you grow in your knowledge of God’s Word.
Whether you're wrestling with envy or simply curious about how the Bible addresses topics like pride, greed, or spiritual maturity, Bible Chat offers a way to explore Scripture in a personalized, accessible way.
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Final Thoughts
Envy is not just a fleeting emotion, it is a serious sin that Scripture consistently condemns. Unlike jealousy, which can be righteous when rooted in love or covenant loyalty, envy is always sinful because it grieves over the good of others and resents the providence of God.
From Cain’s murder of Abel to the Pharisees’ rejection of Christ, the Bible shows us how envy leads to destruction when it is left unconfessed and unrepented. But the gospel offers a better way.
If you recognize envy in your heart today, take heart: God's mercy is greater than our sin. Confess it. Turn from it. And ask the Holy Spirit to renew your mind and fill you with joy for others and peace in your own journey.
Envy does not have to define your life, grace can.
