5355. phthonos
Lexicon
phthonos: Envy, jealousy

Original Word: φθόνος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine
Transliteration: phthonos
Pronunciation: FTHO-nos
Phonetic Spelling: (fthon'-os)
Definition: Envy, jealousy
Meaning: envy, a grudge, spite.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
envy.

Probably akin to the base of phtheiro; ill-will (as detraction), i.e. Jealousy (spite) -- envy.

see GREEK phtheiro

HELPS Word-studies

5355 phthónos (a primitive word, perhaps akin to 5351 /phtheírō, "decay, break-down, corrupt") – properly, strong feeling (desire) that sours, due to the influence of sin; (figuratively) the miserable trait of being glad when someone experiences misfortune or pain.

5355 /phthónos ("the feeling of ill-will") refers to the jealous envy that negatively "energizes" someone with an embittered mind. 5355 /phthónos ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . . . without longing to raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to depress the envied to his own level" (R. Trench, 90).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance
Word Origin
a prim. word
Definition
envy
NASB Translation
envy (7), envying (1), jealously (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 5355: φθόνος

φθόνος, φθόνου, , from (Pindar and) Herodotus down, envy: Romans 1:29; Galatians 5:21; 1 Timothy 6:4; Titus 3:3; 1 Peter 2:1; διά φθόνον, for envy, i. e. prompted by envy (see διαφθονος B. II. 2b.), Matthew 27:18; Mark 15:10; Philippians 1:15 (Dio Cassius, 44, 36); πρός φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τό πνεῦμα κατῴκησεν (but see κατοικίζω) ἐν ἡμῖν; doth the Spirit which took up its abode within us (i. e. the Holy Spirit) long enviously? (see πρός, I. 3 g.), James 4:5 (but T (WH in second marginal reading) drop the interrogative); see on the passage Grimm in the Theol. Studien und Kritiken for 1854, p. 934ff. (Synonym: see ζῆλος, 2 at the end.)

Topical Lexicon
Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb φθονέω (phthoneó), meaning "to envy" or "to be jealous."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: Strong's Hebrew 7068: קִנְאָה (qin'ah) • Often translated as "jealousy" or "zeal," this term can carry both positive and negative connotations, depending on the context. In its negative sense, it aligns with the concept of envy as seen in φθόνος.
Strong's Hebrew 7065: קָנָא (qanah) • A verb meaning "to be jealous" or "to envy," similar in meaning to the Greek φθονέω, from which φθόνος is derived.

This entry provides a comprehensive understanding of the term φθόνος, its implications in the biblical text, and its relevance to the moral and spiritual teachings of the New Testament.

Usage: The term φθόνος is used in the New Testament to describe a sinful attitude of the heart, often leading to discord and strife among individuals or groups. It is considered a work of the flesh and is condemned as contrary to the spirit of love and unity.

Context: Nature and Characteristics: In the New Testament, φθόνος is depicted as a destructive and divisive force. It is often associated with other negative traits such as strife, malice, and deceit. Envy is seen as a root cause of many conflicts and is contrary to the teachings of Christ, who emphasized love, humility, and selflessness.

Biblical References:
Mark 15:10: "For he knew it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over." Here, φθόνος is identified as the motivation behind the religious leaders' actions against Jesus, highlighting its role in unjust and harmful behavior.
Romans 1:29: "They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice." In this passage, envy is listed among various sins that characterize a life lived apart from God.
Galatians 5:21: "and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Envy is included in the list of "works of the flesh," which are opposed to the "fruit of the Spirit."
Philippians 1:15: "It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill." This verse illustrates how envy can even infiltrate religious activities, corrupting motives and causing division.

Theological Implications: Envy is seen as a violation of the commandment to love one's neighbor as oneself. It reflects a lack of contentment and trust in God's provision and plan. The New Testament encourages believers to cultivate virtues such as love, joy, and peace, which stand in stark contrast to envy.

Forms and Transliterations
φθονοι φθόνοι φθονον φθόνον φθονος φθόνος φθονου φθόνου φθονους φθόνους φθονω φθόνω φθόνῳ phthono phthonō phthonoi phthónoi phthónōi phthonon phthónon phthonos phthónos phthonou phthónou phthonous phthónous
Links
Interlinear GreekInterlinear HebrewStrong's NumbersEnglishman's Greek ConcordanceEnglishman's Hebrew ConcordanceParallel Texts
Englishman's Concordance
Matthew 27:18 N-AMS
GRK: ὅτι διὰ φθόνον παρέδωκαν αὐτόν
NAS: that because of envy they had handed
KJV: that for envy they had delivered him.
INT: that through envy they delivered up him

Mark 15:10 N-AMS
GRK: ὅτι διὰ φθόνον παραδεδώκεισαν αὐτὸν
NAS: had handed Him over because of envy.
KJV: him for envy.
INT: that because of envy had delivered up him

Romans 1:29 N-GMS
GRK: κακίᾳ μεστοὺς φθόνου φόνου ἔριδος
NAS: evil; full of envy, murder, strife,
KJV: full of envy, murder,
INT: malice full of envy murder strife

Galatians 5:21 N-NMP
GRK: φθόνοι μέθαι κῶμοι
NAS: envying, drunkenness, carousing,
KJV: Envyings, murders, drunkenness,
INT: envyings drunkennesses carousing

Philippians 1:15 N-AMS
GRK: καὶ διὰ φθόνον καὶ ἔριν
NAS: even from envy and strife,
KJV: even of envy and strife;
INT: even from envy and strife

1 Timothy 6:4 N-NMS
GRK: ὧν γίνεται φθόνος ἔρις βλασφημίαι
NAS: arise envy, strife,
KJV: whereof cometh envy, strife, railings,
INT: which come envy strife evil speakings

Titus 3:3 N-DMS
GRK: κακίᾳ καὶ φθόνῳ διάγοντες στυγητοί
NAS: in malice and envy, hateful,
KJV: malice and envy, hateful, [and] hating
INT: malice and envy living hateful

James 4:5 N-AMS
GRK: λέγει Πρὸς φθόνον ἐπιποθεῖ τὸ
NAS: to no purpose: He jealously desires
KJV: lusteth to envy?
INT: speaks with envy does long the

1 Peter 2:1 N-AMP
GRK: ὑποκρίσεις καὶ φθόνους καὶ πάσας
NAS: and hypocrisy and envy and all
KJV: hypocrisies, and envies, and all
INT: hypocrisies and envyings and all

Strong's Greek 5355
9 Occurrences


φθόνῳ — 1 Occ.
φθόνοι — 1 Occ.
φθόνον — 4 Occ.
φθόνος — 1 Occ.
φθόνου — 1 Occ.
φθόνους — 1 Occ.















5354
Top of Page
Top of Page