Complete Bible Study Guide
What Does the Bible Say About Envy And Jealousy?
11 Scripture references with full text and commentary
Understanding Envy And Jealousy in the Bible
What does the Bible say about envy and jealousy? Browse 15 carefully selected verses that illuminate this biblical theme.
Top 10 Verses About Envy And Jealousy
- 1Exodus 20:17
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.”
KJV - 2
- 3
- 4
- 5Proverbs 27:4
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Wrath: Heb. Wrath is cruelty, and anger an overflowing envy: or, jealousy?”
KJV - 6Ecclesiastes 4:4
“Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. every: Heb. all the rightness of work for this: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour”
KJV - 7
- 8Galatians 5:19
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
KJV - 9James 3:14
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
KJV - 10James 3:16
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. confusion: Gr. tumult or unquietness”
KJV
Old Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Envy And Jealousy? (6 Verses)
“Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.”
“Shew me thy ways, O LORD; teach me thy paths.”
“Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.”
“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy? Wrath: Heb. Wrath is cruelty, and anger an overflowing envy: or, jealousy?”
“Again, I considered all travail, and every right work, that for this a man is envied of his neighbour. This is also vanity and vexation of spirit. every: Heb. all the rightness of work for this: Heb. this is the envy of a man from his neighbour”
New Testament: What Does the Bible Say About Envy And Jealousy? (5 Verses)
“Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,”
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. confusion: Gr. tumult or unquietness”
“Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”
How to Study What the Bible Says About Envy And Jealousy
- 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
Use a concordance or the search tools on this site to find additional passages about envy and jealousy. Look for patterns across both the Old and New Testaments to gain a complete picture of what God reveals on this subject.
- 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
Memorise at least one key verse about envy and jealousy 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 envy and jealousy 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 envy and jealousy needs to be applied more consistently. Write a specific, actionable step you can take this week.
Share what you have learned about envy and jealousy 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 envy and jealousy, 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 Envy And Jealousy?
You have studied 11 verses about envy and jealousy. Now test your knowledge with chapter-by-chapter quizzes covering the books where these verses appear.