The words are translated "envy" in the A.V. Zelos has sometimes a good sense as in

John 2: 17, and Rom. 10: 2, as also zeloõ in I Cor. 12: 31, "covet earnestly," and 14: 1,

"desire"; sometimes, and in Scripture oftener, an evil sense, Acts 5: 17, "indignation,"

Rom. 13: 13, "envying," Gal. 5: 20, "emulations." Phthonos on the other hand is not

capable of a good signification (see Trench's New Testament Synonyms).

Emulation and zeal can be noble and beautiful, but too often the human heart is unable

to behold superior qualities in others without envying them their superiority. Thus, as in

sound so in fact, "to be zealous" may soon become "to be jealous"; "to covet" in the right

sense of I Cor. 12: 31 may descend to the coveting of a baser and forbidden variety.

True zelos beholds the good qualities in another, and desires to raise itself up to that

standard. Zelos degenerated to "envy" desires only that the "envied" may be levelled to

its own inferior rank.

"Love envieth not." Love can behold the gifts and graces in our brethren, can praise

God for their bestowal and manifestation, can earnestly desire to be thus minded, and

thus enriched, but love never entertains a jealous feeling against the object recognised as

superior. Thus in Phil. 2: 2-4 we read, "that ye be like minded, having the same

love. . . . let nothing be done through strife and vainglory (a close relative of envy, see

Phil. 1: 15, 16), but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves."

I Corinthians 13: very pointedly calls this carnally minded church to the neglected spirit

of love, without which all their boasted knowledge would but puff up, and their gifts but

cause envy and strife.