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What does the Bible say about jealousy?

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The Bible warns that sinful jealousy springs from the fallen heart, breeds disorder and harm, and must be put to death through the love and contentment found in Christ. Proverbs 27:4 calls jealousy fierce, while Proverbs 14:30 and James 3:14-16 contrast it with the peace and wisdom that come from God. It appears among the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 and marked the Corinthians' spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:3. Exodus 20:17 forbids coveting what belongs to another, but 1 Corinthians 13:4-5 shows that Christian love is patient, kind, and not envious. God alone is rightly jealous, zealously guarding His covenant love and His people's worship.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Proverbs 27:4

    Wrath is cruel, And anger is overwhelming; But who is able to stand before jealousy?

  • 1 Corinthians 3:3

    for you are still fleshly. For insofar as there is jealousy, strife, and factions among you, aren't you fleshly, and don't you walk in the ways of men?

  • Exodus 20:17

    "You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his man-servant, nor his maid-servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor's."

  • Proverbs 14:30

    The life of the body is a heart at peace, But envy rots the bones.

  • Galatians 5:19-21

    [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  • James 3:16

    For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

  • James 3:14-16

    [14] But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, don't boast and don't lie against the truth. [15] This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, sensual, and demonic. [16] For where jealousy and selfish ambition are, there is confusion and every evil deed.

  • 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

    [4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn't envy. Love doesn't brag, is not proud, [5] doesn't behave itself inappropriately, doesn't seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

  • Song of Solomon 8:6

    Set me as a seal on your heart, As a seal on your arm; For love is strong as death. Jealousy is as cruel as Sheol; Its flashes are flashes of fire, A very flame of Yahweh.

  • Acts 7:9

    "The patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt. God was with him,

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