In the Bible, the word "jealousy" has two separate meanings. The first is "zealous", and the second is "envy". Zealous is a "good" jealousy that gives redemptive love, whereas envy is "bad" jealousy that brings destructive resentment.

When the Bible calls God a “jealous God” (Exodus 20:5), it is referring to Him as a “zealous” God, not an “envious” God. His jealousy is rooted in a place of strength, not weakness. It reflects His perfect love, and not a defect in His personality. In other words, God is not envious of us, but He is zealous for us. This is because we belong to Him and the reason why He sent Jesus to redeem us and return us to Him.

Love does not envy.

1 Corinthians 13:4 (NKJV)

 

The Greek word for “envy” is zēloō which means “intensely heated or boiling over with ambition”. In a good way, God’s zealousness for our righteousness was the driving force behind the finished work of the cross. God was so consumed with love that He sent His only begotten Son willingly to redeem us from our sins and lead us into the fullness of life.

Knowing God’s love for us enables us to think of the good of everyone and not to be jealous of anyone for any reason. Shakespeare refers to envy as the "green-eyed monster" since the colour green is commonly connected with sickness and ill-health. Indeed, resenting the achievement and success of others is a spiritual and emotional problem. Rather, we are to learn to be imitators of God, as His dearly loved children, and walk in love (Ephesians 5:1-2).