Definition and Nature:
Ill-will refers to a hostile or unfriendly disposition towards others, characterized by feelings of enmity, malice, or resentment. It is an attitude that stands in opposition to the Christian virtues of love, kindness, and forgiveness. Ill-will can manifest in thoughts, words, or actions intended to harm or undermine others.

Biblical References and Teachings:
The Bible addresses the concept of ill-will in various passages, warning against harboring such negative emotions and encouraging believers to cultivate love and peace instead.

1. Proverbs 24:17-18 :
"Do not gloat when your enemy falls, and do not let your heart rejoice when he stumbles, or the LORD will see and disapprove, and turn His wrath away from him."
This passage cautions against taking pleasure in the misfortunes of others, a sentiment often rooted in ill-will.

2. Matthew 5:43-44 :
"You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."
Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount challenges believers to transcend ill-will by loving and praying for their adversaries.

3. Ephesians 4:31-32 :
"Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, outcry and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and tenderhearted to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you."
The Apostle Paul exhorts Christians to eliminate malice and ill-will, replacing them with kindness and forgiveness.

4. 1 Peter 2:1 :
"Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander."
Peter encourages believers to purge ill-will and other sinful attitudes from their lives, promoting a community of sincerity and love.

Consequences of Ill-Will:
Ill-will can lead to destructive behaviors and broken relationships. It is often the root of conflicts and divisions within families, communities, and even churches. The Bible warns that such attitudes can hinder one's relationship with God and others.

1. James 3:14-16 :
"But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice."
James highlights the chaos and evil that result from harboring ill-will and jealousy.

2. Galatians 5:19-21 :
"The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."
Ill-will is listed among the works of the flesh, which are contrary to the Spirit and disqualify one from inheriting God's kingdom.

Overcoming Ill-Will:
The Bible provides guidance on overcoming ill-will through the transformative power of the Holy Spirit and the practice of Christian virtues.

1. Romans 12:17-21 :
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Carefully consider what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone. Do not avenge yourselves, beloved, but leave room for God’s wrath. For it is written: 'Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, says the Lord.' On the contrary, 'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him a drink. For in so doing, you will heap burning coals on his head.' Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."
Paul advises believers to respond to ill-will with acts of kindness and trust in God's justice.

2. Colossians 3:12-14 :
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which is the bond of perfect unity."
The call to embody love and forgiveness is central to overcoming ill-will and fostering unity among believers.

Conclusion:
While the Bible does not condone ill-will, it offers a path to overcome it through love, forgiveness, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. By adhering to biblical teachings, believers can cultivate a heart free from malice and filled with the love of Christ.(n.) See under Ill.5355. phthonos -- envy
... 5355 ("ill-will") conveys "displeasure at another's good; . .without longing to
raise oneself to the level of him whom he envies, but only to the ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/5355.htm - 7k

The Ending of the Book Brings an Exhortation to Avoid Ill-Will...
... Book II. Chapter XXX. The ending of the book brings an exhortation to avoid
ill-will? The ending of the book brings an exhortation ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter xxx the ending of.htm

But Ithacius, Seeing How Much Ill-Will it Would Excite against Him ...
... Book II. Chapter LI. But Ithacius, seeing how much ill-will it would excite
against him among the bishops? But Ithacius, seeing ...
/.../life and writings of sulpitius severus /chapter li but ithacius seeing.htm

Preface to the Book of Hebrew Questions.
... vile swine who trample our pearls under their feet, when some of the most learned
of men, men whose glory ought to have hushed the voice of ill will, have felt ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/preface to the book of.htm

On the Soul and Body and the Passion of the Lord.
... since the Word draws forth its power, do you also ungrudgingly lend your ears, and
when you come to hear, cleanse yourselves from all ill-will and unbelief. ...
/.../v on the soul and body.htm

The Triumph of God's Sovereign Good Will
... For example, it was through the ill will of the Jews that, by the good will of the
Father, Christ was slain for us"a deed so good that when the apostle Peter ...
/.../augustine/handbook on faith hope and love/chapter xxvi the triumph of.htm

After the Exposition of his Faith, or Rather his Lack of Knowledge ...
... I suppose that every one sees that it is only through ill-will that this is made
a matter of blame. ... You would not then be the object of any ill will. ...
/.../11 after the exposition of.htm

Whether the Species of Anger are Suitably Assigned?
... ii, 16) unsuitably assigns three species of anger"-"wrath," "ill-will" and "rancor."
For no genus derives its specific differences from accidents. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the species of anger.htm

He Has Endeavoured, Indeed, to Brand us with the Stain of this ...
... I will bring nothing against him which has been trumped up by ill will, as he does
against me; but I will produce him and his writings as witnesses against ...
/.../3 he has endeavoured indeed.htm

What Can be More Distinct than this Statement? what could Possibly ...
... figures are resorted to by rhetoricians when they are afraid of offending particular
people, or when they wish to avoid exciting ill-will against themselves. ...
/.../29 what can be more.htm

The Forgiving Spirit in Prayer
... of you. The motions of spite and ill-will are the most difficult of all
its sinful motions to subdue in the human heart. At the ...
/.../whyte/lord teach us to pray/xxi the forgiving spirit in.htm

Ill-will (2 Occurrences)
Ill-will. Illustrious, Ill-will. Illyricum . Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.)
See under Ill. Multi-Version Concordance Ill-will (2 Occurrences). ...
/i/ill-will.htm - 7k

Malice (24 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) Enmity of heart; malevolence; illwill; a spirit delighting in harm or
misfortune to another; a disposition to injure another; a malignant design of ...
/m/malice.htm - 15k

Envy (56 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) Malice; illwill; spite. ... 13. (vi) To show malice
or illwill; to rail. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. ENVY. ...
/e/envy.htm - 28k

Rid (39 Occurrences)
... Colossians 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of every kind of sin--angry and
passionate outbreaks, ill-will, evil speaking, foul-mouthed abuse--so that these ...
/r/rid.htm - 19k

Malicious (13 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (a.) Indulging or exercising malice; harboring
illwill or enmity. 2. (a.) Proceeding from hatred or ...
/m/malicious.htm - 10k

Malignity (1 Occurrence)
... mal'-is, ma-lig'-ni-ti (kakia, poneros, kakoetheia): "Malice," now used in the sense
of deliberate ill-will, by its derivation means badness, or wickedness ...
/m/malignity.htm - 8k

Illyricum (1 Occurrence)

/i/illyricum.htm - 13k

Outbreaks (1 Occurrence)
... Colossians 3:8 But now you must rid yourselves of every kind of sin--angry and
passionate outbreaks, ill-will, evil speaking, foul-mouthed abuse--so that these ...
/o/outbreaks.htm - 6k

Grudge (11 Occurrences)
... 4. (vi) To feel compunction or grief. 5. (n.) Sullen malice or malevolence; cherished
malice, enmity, or dislike; illwill; an old cause of hatred or quarrel. ...
/g/grudge.htm - 13k

Insincerity (5 Occurrences)
... (WEY RSV). 1 Peter 2:1 Rid yourselves therefore of all ill-will and all deceitfulness,
of insincerity and envy, and of all evil speaking. (WEY RSV). ...
/i/insincerity.htm - 8k

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