Jealousy & Envy · KJV
Bible Verses About Jealousy and Envy
7 key scriptures
Envy is the rottenness of the bones. These verses expose the destruction of jealousy and call the heart to contentment and love instead.
“A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.”
Proverbs describes envy as an inward corrosion. Contentment protects the heart from measuring its worth by another person's life.
“For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
Jealous comparison rarely stays private. James traces it outward into conflict and disorder, calling believers toward wisdom that is peaceable and merciful.
“Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up.”
Biblical love celebrates another person's good without treating it as a personal loss. Love and envy move in opposite directions.
“Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”
Paul connects envy with the need to prove ourselves. Identity rooted in Christ frees us from turning relationships into competitions.
“Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?”
Envy can be harder to recognize than anger because it may hide behind criticism, resentment, or quiet pleasure at another person's setback.
Psalm 37:1
“Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.”
The psalm answers envy by widening the time horizon: apparent success is temporary, while faithfulness and trust in God have lasting value.
“But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.”
Healing begins with honesty. Naming jealousy before God is not defeat; it is the first step toward gratitude, repentance, and renewed love.