φθονέω (phthoneō)
phthoneō
to envy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 1 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The verb phthoneō means to feel resentment or ill will toward someone because of their advantages, success, or status. In the New Testament, it appears only once, in Galatians 5:26, where Paul warns believers not to provoke one another or become envious of each other’s spiritual standing.
Its root relates to a sense of bitterness or decay, suggesting that envy is not merely a fleeting emotion but a corrosive attitude that damages community bonds. Unlike simple jealousy, which might desire what another has, phthoneō carries a hostile undertone, wishing the other person did not possess their blessing.
Paul places this warning alongside calls to walk by the Spirit and serve one another in love. The contrast highlights how envy thrives in self-centered competition, while the Spirit fosters humility and mutual encouragement within the church.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Envy often creeps into our lives quietly, disguised as harmless comparison. The Greek word phthoneō describes a deep-seated resentment toward others because of their advantages or spiritual standing. It is more than simple jealousy; it carries a hostile undertone that can corrode relationships and damage the bonds within a community. Paul warns against this attitude in Galatians 5:26, reminding us that such feelings are incompatible with the life we are called to live.
When we find ourselves comparing our journey to others, it is helpful to remember that our worth is not determined by what we have or how far ahead we seem. Instead, we are invited to walk in humility and mutual encouragement. By focusing on serving one another in love, we can replace the bitterness of envy with the peace that comes from trusting God’s unique plan for each person.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 1 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- envying.1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φθονοῦντες.¶1×
Key Verses
-
Galatians 5:26
Let’s not become conceited, provoking one another, and envying one another.
This is the only occurrence of phthoneō in the New Testament, where Paul explicitly links envy with conceit and provocation to warn believers against divisive attitudes.