It Does Not Envy

The word translated as envy in this text is the Greek word “zēloō” which can mean to burn with a zealous sort of passion or lust. The intesting thing about this word is that it can be either good or bad, depending upon the object of your affection. In fact, this word is used in a positive way in both the chapters immediately before and after 13.

1 Corinthians 12:31 “But [zēloō] (covet earnestly) the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 “Follow after charity, and [zēloō] (desire) spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy.”

1 Corinthians 14:31 “Wherefore, brethren, [zēloō] (covet) to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues.”

These verses encourage the very thing that chapter 13 says not to do. This seems odd at first until you realize that the only time this word is ever used positively is when it is referring to spiritual gifts or the work of God.

So, it is my belief that this scripture is not saying that we are to never passionately desire something. Obviously, we are all to crave the things of the Lord. Perhaps the thing that we are to take from this passage is the understanding that God has given us everything that have; therefore, to obsess about the things that we don’t have is to not appreciate the things that God has given us.