Love is a concept often discussed and explored, yet its true nature can be complex and multifaceted. In 1 Corinthians 13, the Apostle Paul delves into the qualities of love, offering profound insights that challenge our understanding. Today, we focus on one crucial aspect described in verse 4: “love does not envy.” To truly grasp the essence of love, it’s essential to understand, What Does Envious Mean in this context and how it contrasts with genuine love.
Defining Envy: A Spirit of Dissatisfaction
To understand “love does not envy,” we must first define envy itself. Jonathan Edwards, a renowned theologian, described envy as “a spirit of dissatisfaction and/or opposition to the prosperity and happiness of others.” This definition highlights the core negativity of envy. It’s not merely wanting what someone else has; it’s a deeper feeling of resentment and displeasure at their good fortune. From a scriptural perspective, this is clearly problematic. We are instructed in Romans 12:15 to “rejoice with those who rejoice.” Envy directly opposes this teaching, making it impossible to genuinely celebrate the successes and joys of others when our hearts are consumed by jealousy.
Envy: A Worldly Value Contrasted with Godly Love
To harbor envious feelings is to align oneself with worldly values, something that Scripture explicitly advises against. Our contemporary culture often inadvertently promotes envy. We are constantly bombarded with images of idealized lives, achievements, and possessions, fostering a sense of inadequacy and longing for what we lack. This constant comparison can breed envy, pushing us to measure our worth against external standards and the perceived happiness of others. In stark contrast, a love devoid of envy is rooted in contentment. It is found in individuals who are at peace with their circumstances, not because they lack ambition, but because their sense of fulfillment is not dependent on external validation or material possessions.
The Interplay of Envy and Boasting
Paul further clarifies the nature of love by stating that it “does not boast.” Boasting and envy are closely intertwined. When we are prideful and ostentatious, we often inadvertently provoke envy in others. By flaunting our achievements or possessions, we can become stumbling blocks, inciting feelings of jealousy and inadequacy in those around us. Godly love, on the other hand, is characterized by humility. It does not seek to elevate oneself at the expense of others. It refrains from making an “idol” of personal accomplishments or engaging in self-promotion that overshadows service to others.
Self-Esteem, Humility, and Love Without Envy
It’s important to note that a love that is not boastful and envious does not necessitate a negative self-image. We are, after all, created in God’s image (Genesis 1:27) and commanded to love our neighbors as ourselves (Matthew 19:19). Recognizing our inherent worth and practicing self-care are not inherently sinful. In fact, a healthy sense of self-respect is necessary. As Romans 12:3 advises, we can “think of ourselves with sober judgment,” acknowledging our value without inflating our self-importance beyond what is warranted.
To love without envy and boasting requires a “sober analysis” of ourselves, as Paul suggests in Romans 12:3. This involves recognizing our strengths and weaknesses with humility, respecting the worth and dignity of others, and maintaining a sense of awe and reverence in the presence of God, whose image we bear. Ultimately, understanding what does envious mean in the context of love helps us cultivate a more genuine, compassionate, and fulfilling way of relating to ourselves and others, rooted in contentment and humility rather than comparison and competition.
