"Love envieth not." I Cor. 13:4b
The writer is speaking about a vital characteristic of love. It is indeed a lofty view of love. Love is lofty and wonderful. Our writer is not presenting a romantic view of love that is based on emotional attraction. He is presenting a view of love that is founded upon the bedrock of compelling integrity.
The word for love that is used in this verse is the Greek word 'agape.' Agape is a noun of action. As such it speaks of a mind-set of unconquerable positive regard for its object. It is love free of narcissism and subjective demands.
How often have you seen persons who say that they love one another but who compete with one another for attention or the spotlight?
Love enveith not. This love is healthy. It builds up the one who is its object. 'Zeloi' is the word for envy. It can mean fervent passion for or against someone. Furthermore, it involves a desire not to injure or hurt the good witnessed in another person.
When one considers that love (agape) is long-suffering or exhibiting patience and understanding and that love is kind in that it actively bestows the excellence of good will upon another person it is powerful to realize that love also does not envy.
The type of love that we are considering is founded upon the reality of the love of God for us in the person of the Iesous. Paul told the saints at the churches in Galatia that 'Zeloi' or envy is among the works of the sarkos or flesh-nature and is therefore antithetical to the work of the Spirit of God.
Dear friend, do you desire to love others without envy? If so, God has provided the Iesous as our rescuer from darkness. The Iesous said that through him one would know the truth (as revealed in Him) and that truth would set one free.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation: old things (the old worn out things or ancient things) are passed away; behold all things are become new (II Cor. 5:17).
For more information about Dr. Josiah Rich and his teaching ministry, please visit his website.
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