φθόνος (phthonos)
phthonos
envy
Quick Reference
- Language
- Koine Greek
- Testament
- New Testament
- Occurrences
- 9 verses
- Root
- —
Word Overview
The noun phthonos denotes a sharp, resentful envy that takes pleasure in another’s good fortune or success. It appears nine times in the New Testament, often listed among the sinful desires that characterize human nature apart from God. In Romans 1:29 and Galatians 5:21, it is grouped with malice and strife, suggesting a corrosive attitude that damages community relationships.
A distinctive usage occurs in the Gospels, where Matthew 27:18 and Mark 15:10 explain that the chief priests handed Jesus over because they were driven by phthonos. Here, the word captures the petty jealousy of religious leaders who could not tolerate a rival’s rising influence. Similarly, Philippians 1:15 notes that some preached Christ from phthonos, indicating a motive rooted in rivalry rather than genuine love for the gospel.
The term likely shares an etymological root with words meaning to waste or destroy, implying that envy consumes the one who feels it. This aligns with James 4:5, which speaks of the Spirit’s jealousy within believers, contrasting human resentment with God’s protective zeal for His people. Translators consistently render phthonos as "envy," preserving its sense of bitter discontent.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
Envy is a quiet thief that steals joy from the heart. It arises when we fix our eyes on what others have, rather than trusting God with what He has given us. This word describes a sharp resentment that takes pleasure in another's success, often leading to strife and broken relationships within communities of faith.
Yet even this human weakness meets divine grace. Scripture reminds us that God’s Spirit does not compete with us; He yearns for our good with protective zeal. When we feel the sting of comparison, we can turn to Him. His love is not a limited resource that runs out when someone else receives a blessing.
Let this truth encourage you today. Instead of guarding your heart against others' successes, open it to God’s provision. He sees your worth and your needs. Rest in the knowledge that Your plans for you are good, and His grace is sufficient for every comparison you face.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 9 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- envy5×
- of envy,1×
- envyings,1×
- envy,1×
- envies1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- φθόνον4×
- φθόνῳ1×
- φθόνους1×
- φθόνου,1×
- φθόνος,1×
- φθόνοι,1×
Key Verses
-
Matthew 27:18
For he knew that because of envy they had delivered him up.
This verse reveals how envy can corrupt religious authority, showing that even leaders can be driven by petty jealousy rather than truth.
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Romans 1:29
being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, malice; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil habits, secret slanderers,
Paul lists envy here as a symptom of a heart turned away from God, illustrating how it fuels broader social and moral decay.
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James 4:5
Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, “The Spirit who lives in us yearns jealously”?
This passage contrasts human envy with God’s jealous spirit, offering hope that His desire for our well-being is far greater than our rivalry.