Complete Bible Study Guide

What Does the Bible Say About Being Envious?

8 Scripture references with full text and commentary

Understanding Being Envious in the Bible

Discover 11 powerful Bible verses about being envious. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential sin & temptation topic.

8
Total Verses
3
Old Testament
5
New Testament

Top 8 Verses About Being Envious

  1. 1
    Proverbs 14:30
    A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
    KJV
  2. 2
    Proverbs 15:1
    A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
    KJV
  3. 3
    Malachi 3:6
    For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
    KJV
  4. 4
    Matthew 6:33
    But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
    KJV
  5. 5
    Galatians 5:19
    Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
    KJV
  6. 6
    Hebrews 4:12
    For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
    KJV
  7. 7
    Hebrews 13:5
    Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
    KJV
  8. 8
    James 4:14
    Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. It: or, For it is
    KJV

Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being Envious? (3 Verses)

A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.

New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Being Envious? (5 Verses)

But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. It: or, For it is

How to Study What the Bible Says About Being Envious

  1. 1

    Begin by reading through every verse listed on this page, noting which ones speak most directly to your current season of life. Write them down and revisit them throughout the week.

  2. 2

    Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about being envious. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.

  3. 3

    Study the context of each verse. Read the surrounding chapter to understand who was speaking, who the audience was, and what circumstances prompted the passage. Context prevents misapplication.

  4. 4

    Memorise at least one key verse about being envious and meditate on it daily. Scripture memory transforms thinking and equips you to apply God's Word in real-time situations.

Practical Application

Studying what the Bible says about being envious is only the beginning. Scripture is meant to be lived out in daily obedience and faith. Here are practical steps to apply these truths:

  • Identify one area of your life where the biblical teaching on being envious needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.

  • Share what you have learned about being envious with a fellow believer or in a small group setting. Teaching others solidifies your own understanding and encourages mutual growth.

  • Pray through the key verses about being envious, asking God to reveal how His Word applies to your relationships, decisions, and daily habits.

How Well Do You Know What the Bible Says About Being Envious?

You have studied 8 verses about being envious. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Bible say about being envious?
Discover 11 powerful Bible verses about being envious. Study what Scripture teaches about this essential sin & temptation topic. The Bible contains 8 key verses about being envious spanning both Old and New Testaments.
How many Bible verses about being envious are there?
There are 8 key Bible verses about being envious compiled in this study guide, drawn from books across both the Old and New Testaments.
What is the best verse about being envious?
One of the most well-known and frequently cited verses about being envious is Proverbs 14:30 — "A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones."
Where in the Bible does it talk about being envious?
Being Envious is discussed throughout the Bible in both the Old and New Testaments. You can find 8 references to this topic across multiple books including the Psalms, Proverbs, the Gospels, and the Epistles.

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