Love…does not envy.
1 Corinthians 13:4a
In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a, we have an incredible description of Christlike love for a church community that is failing to love each other. The first two descriptions (patient & kind) are describing love in a positive manner. Now, Paul shifts to describing negatively what love is not.
What does it mean that love “does not envy”?
True love does not live in jealousy when someone else experiences happiness or receives good opportunities.
True love does not wish that others would receive less than what they receive.
True love does not grumble whenever someone else is better at something than they are.
True love does not gossip about someone whenever they are “outshined” by another.
True love does not break the 10th Commandments by coveting what another has.
True love does not wish that good fortune would escape from someone.
True love does not promote rivalry between two or more people.
True love is not competitive towards one’s spouse over who can be the favorite parent.
True love is not angry when a teammate becomes better at the sport than you do.
True love is not bitter whenever someone else in your department gets the promotion over you.