by Keith Sharp
Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God (Galatians 5:19-21).
Good News: Attendance was at an all time high the last two Sundays. Bad News: The preacher was on vacation. (That’s a joke, folks!)
That’s like the word translated “jealousies” (NKJV) in Galatians 5:20. In this context it’s a “work of the flesh” (verse 19), and those who practice it “will not inherit the kingdom of God” (verse 21). But in John 2:17 it is translated “zeal,” and, in fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 69:9), is a characteristic of Jesus Christ we are to follow (cf. 2 Corinthians 9:2). Let’s consider the good news/bad news of this character trait.
The primary meaning of the word is “excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit” (Thayer. 271). When used in the good sense it means “ardor in embracing, pursuing, defending anything” (Ibid.). In the bad sense it entails “the kind of zeal which does not try to help others but rather to harm them, the predominant concern being for personal advancement” (TDNT. 2:381-2). Thus, it is translated “jealousies” (NKJV) or simply “jealousy” (NASB, ESV).
Jealousy comes from selfish personal ambition (James 3:14). King Saul was jealous of David when the women of Israel gave him greater praise than they did for Saul (1 Samuel 18:6-9). The party spirit, which springs from ambition, is manifested in jealousy (Acts 5:17; 13:45; 1 Corinthians 1:11-13).
Jealousy expresses itself in the desire to hurt others of whom we are jealous. King Saul tried to kill David (1 Samuel 18:10-11). The Jewish council persecuted the apostles because of jealousy (Acts 5:17-18), and later the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia harassed Paul for the same reason (Acts 13:45). Jealousy leads to “disorder and every vile practice”(James 3:16, ESV). It causes strife among brethren (1 Corinthians 3:3) and is associated with “quarreling, … anger, hostility, slander, gossip” (2 Corinthians 12:20, ESV).
The antidote for sinful jealousy is love. “Love is kind and is not jealous” (1 Corinthians 13:4, NASB). If your child excels more than you did in sports, are you jealous or happy? Why? What if your brother or sister in Christ receives an honor you did not? Love will lead us to be zealous for the welfare of others rather than jealous of their success (Colossians 4:12-13). Rather than being jealous of the accomplishments of our brothers and sisters, we should emulate (same Greek word, KJV) what they did to achieve the success (Hebrews 13:7).
We must be zealous for good (Galatians 4:18) but never jealous of others. “Let us behave properly as in the day, … not in strife and jealousy” (Romans 13:13).
Works Cited
Bible
English Standard Version
New American Standard Bible
New King James Version
Thayer, J.H., A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament.
Stumpff, Albrecht, Theological Dictionary of the New Testament.
