What the Bible Says About Envy, Jealousy, and Covetousness


Love is a difficult feeling to express in words. Exploring what love is not can help us to get a picture of what love actually is.

“If we only wanted to be happy it would be easy; but we want to be happier than other people, which is almost always difficult, since we think them happier than they are.” –Charles-Louis de Secondat, baron de La Brède et de Montesquieu

Although we often use these three words as synonymous, they are quite different:

1.  ENVY

  • The desire and resentment of what other people have or are.
  • It harbors anger, ill intentions, and the hope of undoing what others have or are.

2. JEALOUSY

  • The fear of losing what we consider rightfully ours.
  • It results in anger or withdrawal as means to protect the loss of what we consider precious. It may be a normal feeling; a warning signal as in the dashboard of our cars that tells of the danger of losing a loved one.

3. COVETOUSNESS

  • Dissatisfaction of what we have that leads to wanting to have other things.
  • It is an offense against Godthus the reason it is in the Ten Commandments because it presumes that we know better than God what we need and what is good for us. It becomes a rebellious and idolatrous action by putting ourselves in the place of God (Eph. 5:5).

“Christ did not teach and suffer that we might become, even in the natural loves, more careful of our own happiness. If a man is not uncalculating towards the earthly beloveds whom he has seen, he is none the more likely to be so towards God whom he has not. We shall draw nearer to God, not by trying to avoid the sufferings inherent in all loves, but by accepting them and offering them to Him; throwing away all defensive armour. If our hearts need to be broken, and if He chooses this as the way in which they should break, so be it.” C. S. Lewis, The Four Loves

The above excerpt is from the pamphlet 1 Corinthians 13 by Rose Publishing. Shop Now.

Love Chapter: 1 Corinthians 13 Pamphlet

Enjoy having a full-color Bible study resource that dives into what the Bible says about love, practical applications, simple summaries, quick-reference charts, and more. Includes over 70 Bible references, 4 comparison charts, encouraging quotes, scannable lists, and illustrations.
How can we better love those around us? Dig deeper into 1 Corinthians 13 (“The Love Chapter”) with this quick-reference pamphlet. Featuring over 70 verses, 4 comparison charts, encouraging quotes, and more—it will deepen your understanding of what it means to love God and to love others. Perfect for individual use, small groups, or church giveaways.
Packed with:

  • Simple summaries and overviews of Paul’s teaching
  • 4 full-color, quick-reference charts
    • Comparing what love is and is NOT (includes verse, definition, and Scripture)
    • 7 Positive Qualities of Love (description, biblical example, and practical application)
    • Negative Qualities (explanation, biblical example, practical application)
    • Comparison of the 5 Types of Love
  • And more!

“The Love Chapter” in the Bible is one of the most precious passages of all time. The kind of love portrayed in 1 Corinthians 13 is true love—strong and determined—and it is not for the faint of heart. In this beautiful, full-color, 14-page 1 Corinthians 13 pamphlet, you will read the full text of this chapter and understand the teachings and insights in depth.

Key Features of the 1 Corinthians 13 Pamphlet—

These days, love is a risky adventure requiring not only strength and character, but also a vulnerable, gritty commitment. Paul’s famous passage on love, 1 Corinthians 13, is often quoted during weddings, but it has a far greater application to today’s world. 1 Corinthians 13 unpacks this meaty chapter without sentimentalism, examining and applying the hard work involved in loving another human being, spouse, child, friend, or neighbor.

Explore the Four Kinds of Love in the Bible

Discusses the differences in the four kinds of love:

  • Agape (unconditional, God-like)
  • Philia (friendship)
  • Eros (romantic)
  • Storge (gift-love between parents and children)

1 Corinthians 13 includes principles that bring healing and restoration to marriages and families today. This pamphlet is perfect for people who are engaged, married, or caretakers for the sick or elderly. 14 panels, fits inside most Bibles, 8.5 x 5.5 inches, unfolds to 38 inches long.
Perfect for:

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  • Discipleship
  • And more!

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