1 Corinthians 13:4c
“…jealousy at the most corrupt and destructive level…”
~5 min read
Charity envieth not (1 Corinthians 13:4c)
The phrase Charity envieth not means love is not jealous.
Someone describes jealousy very interestingly, “There are two kinds of jealousy. The first one is “I want what someone else has. If my neighbour has an expensive car, I want it. If my friend has an excellent result, I want it.” That sort of jealousy is bad enough, but the second kind is even worse; the attitude is, “I wish they didn’t have what they have.” The second kind of jealousy is more than just being selfish, it is desiring evil for someone else. It is jealousy at the most corrupt and destructive level.
A classic example was found in 1 Kings 3:16-27. King Solomon discovered the woman who pretended to be a child’s mother. When her infant son died, she secretly exchanged him for the baby of a friend who was staying with her. The true mother discovered what happened, and when their dispute was brought before the king, Solomon ordered the baby to be cut in half so that each woman would receive half of the baby. In his wisdom, Solomon wanted to see how the “two” mothers would respond to find out the “true” mother. The true mother pleaded for the baby to be spared, even if it meant losing possession of him. The false mother, however, would rather have the baby killed than for the true mother to have him. In other words, if I cannot have it, neither can you. That is jealousy at its worst!
Jealousy is a terrible sin and it has plagued the people of God since the beginning of time. It was jealousy that caused Cain to kill his brother Abel, the first murder in the Bible. It was jealousy that caused Joseph’s brothers to sell him into slavery. It was jealousy that caused the Babylonian officials to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. It was jealousy that caused the elder brother in the parable of the prodigal son to be angry with his father for showing attention to his younger brother.
Dear children, we have to be careful because the sin of jealousy will increase in its wickedness. Our first reaction of the flesh is to want to have what someone has, and if this sinful passion is not controlled, it will grow to the worst level, and that is to wish evil for that person. When we are jealous, we are not loving, and when we are not loving, it is sin! We must repent and ask God to help change our hearts so that we will truly love the people. When we see our friend who is popular, talented and does well in her studies, rather than being jealous, we are happy for her! Love envieth not!
2024 TERM 4Love (Part 12) — Beareth All ThingsLove (Part 12) — Beareth All Things1 Corinthians 13:7a
Love (Part 11) — Rejoiceth In The TruthLove (Part 11) — Rejoiceth In The Truth1 Corinthians 13:6b
Love (Part 10) — Rejoiceth Not In IniquityLove (Part 10) — Rejoiceth Not In Iniquity1 Corinthians 13:6a
Love (Part 9) — Thinketh No EvilLove (Part 9) — Thinketh No Evil1 Corinthians 13:5d
Love (Part 8) — Not Easily ProvokedLove (Part 8) — Not Easily Provoked1 Corinthians 13:5c
Love (Part 7) — Is Not SelfishLove (Part 7) — Is Not Selfish1 Corinthians 13:5b
Love (Part 6) — Does Not MisbehaveLove (Part 6) — Does Not Misbehave1 Corinthians 13:5a
Love (Part 5) — Is Not ProudLove (Part 5) — Is Not Proud1 Corinthians 13:4e
Love (Part 4) — Does Not BoastLove (Part 4) — Does Not Boast1 Corinthians 13:4d
Love (Part 3) — Is Not JealousLove (Part 3) — Is Not Jealous1 Corinthians 13:4c
Love (Part 2) — Is KindLove (Part 2) — Is Kind1 Corinthians 13:4b