Love does not envy (v.4)

“Love does not envy.” 1 Corinthians 13:4

.

Envy is often the reason that we find it hard to love some people. It spoils and can even destroy – it was out of envy that the chief priests handed Jesus over to be crucified (Mark 13:10). Even in God’s church, envy and jealousy are found, leading to disorder and disharmony (James 3:14,16).

.

Yet if envy prevents love, nevertheless love cures envy. At the root of the Greek word for love (agape) is the sense of being contented with our lot. When, like Paul, we are able to say, “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances” (Phil.4:11), then we are free to love.

.

We see this in Jesus, who never felt he deserved better, but rather made himself nothing, becoming our servant (Phil.2:5-7). This is a glimpse into the mind of Christ, which in that same passage we too are urged to have. “In Christ”, united with him, we are enabled to show Christ’s own attitude in our daily living: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves” (Phil.2:1-4). That’s the kind of love which came down at Christmas.