Envy often begins quietly: a look at the lives of others, their success, their appearance, their happiness. In the age of social media, comparison is constant. The Bible speaks openly about envy – and shows ways out. Here you will find 21 Bible verses about envy and jealousy.
What envy does
The Bible describes the consequences of envy.
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Do not covet your neighbor's house. Do not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his servants, nor his oxen, nor his donkey, nor anything your neighbor has.
Exodus 20:17Coveting
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A gentle heart is life to the body, but envy is rot in the bones.
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Anger is a raging thing, and fury is fierce; but who can stand before envy?
Proverbs 27:4
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But discontent crushes the fool, and jealousy kills the senseless.
Job 5:2
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But if you have bitter envy and strife in your heart, do not boast and do not lie against the truth.
James 3:14
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For where envy and strife are, there is disorder and every evil deed.
James 3:16Selfishness
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Let us not be selfish in seeking honor, but rather humble ourselves to win over one another.
Galatians 5:26
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But Cain and his offering were not pleasing to him. So Cain became very angry, and his face was downcast.
Genesis 4:5
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Now when his brothers saw that their father loved him more than all their brothers, they hated him and could not speak a friendly word to him.
Genesis 37:4
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I saw envy and jealousy in all things; this is also vain and chasing after the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:4
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For he knew that the chief priests had handed him over out of envy.
Mark 15:10
Free from comparison
What helps against envy.
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Do not be angry with the wicked; do not be envious of evildoers.
Psalm 37:1
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But I almost stumbled with my feet; my step almost slipped. For I was distressed by the boastful talk, when I saw that the wicked prospered.
Psalm 73:2-3Doubt
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I pondered it to understand it; but it was too difficult for me, until I went into the sanctuary of God and saw their end.
Psalm 73:16-17
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Let not your heart follow sinners, but be daily in the fear of the LORD.
Proverbs 23:17
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Love is patient and kind; love does not envy; love does not boast; love is not proud.
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Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
Romans 12:15LonelinessCommunity
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But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have praise for himself, and not for another.
Galatians 6:4
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Not that I speak this out of lack; for I have learned to be content with what I am. I can be lowly and I can be exalted; I am skilled in all things and with all people, both to be full and to hunger, both to have abundance and to suffer want.
Philippians 4:11-12MaterialismContentment
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Let your conduct be without covetousness; and be content with what you have. For he said, “I will not leave you nor forsake you.”
Hebrews 13:5CovetousnessMaterialism
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When Peter saw this, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain until I come, what is it to you? Follow me!”
John 21:21-22
Bible texts: Luther Bible 1912 (public domain), carefully adapted to modern spelling.
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Envy in the Bible
The first sin after paradise is an act of envy: Cain kills Abel because God accepts his offering (Genesis 4). Joseph's brothers sell him because their father favors him (Genesis 37). Saul pursues David because the people celebrate him more. And according to Mark 15:10, Jesus is handed over to Pilate “out of envy.” Proverbs describes what envy does to a person: It is “rot in the bones” (Proverbs 14:30) – it eats away from within.
How to become free from envy
Psalm 73 describes a way. The psalmist is envious of the wicked who prosper, “until I went into the sanctuary of God and saw their end” (Psalm 73:17). In prayer, his perspective changes. Paul advises looking at one's own work instead of that of others (Galatians 6:4). And Jesus answers Peter, who curiously asks about the way of another disciple: “What is it to you? Follow me!” (John 21:22). Find out more in Bible verses about contentment, Bible verses about gratitude and Bible verses about self-worth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Bible say about envy?
The Bible warns against envy because it destroys relationships (James 3:16) and makes the envious person sick (Proverbs 14:30). The tenth commandment forbids coveting what belongs to your neighbor (Exodus 20:17).
What helps against envy?
The Bible recommends gratitude, contentment (Philippians 4:11-12; Hebrews 13:5), rejoicing with others (Romans 12:15) and looking at one's own path (Galatians 6:4).
