Rivalries are a recurring theme throughout the Bible, often illustrating the consequences of envy, pride, and the struggle for power or favor. These narratives serve as moral and spiritual lessons, highlighting the importance of humility, forgiveness, and reliance on God's sovereignty.

Old Testament Examples

1. Cain and Abel: The first recorded rivalry in the Bible is between Cain and Abel, the sons of Adam and Eve. Cain, envious of God's favor toward Abel's offering, ultimately murders his brother. This tragic event underscores the destructive power of jealousy and the need for self-control. Genesis 4:8 states, "Cain said to his brother Abel, 'Let us go out to the field.' And while they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him."

2. Jacob and Esau: The rivalry between Jacob and Esau, the twin sons of Isaac and Rebekah, is marked by deception and conflict over birthright and blessing. Jacob's cunning and Esau's impulsiveness lead to years of estrangement. Genesis 27:41 notes, "Esau held a grudge against Jacob because of the blessing his father had given him. And Esau determined in his heart, 'The days of mourning for my father are at hand; then I will kill my brother Jacob.'"

3. Joseph and His Brothers: Joseph's relationship with his brothers is fraught with jealousy due to their father's favoritism and Joseph's prophetic dreams. This rivalry results in Joseph being sold into slavery, yet God uses these circumstances for a greater purpose. Genesis 37:4 records, "When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him."

4. Saul and David: King Saul's jealousy of David's success and popularity leads to a prolonged and bitter rivalry. Despite Saul's attempts to kill him, David consistently shows respect for Saul's position as the Lord's anointed. 1 Samuel 18:9 states, "And from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David."

New Testament Insights

1. The Disciples' Rivalry: The disciples of Jesus occasionally displayed rivalry, particularly concerning who among them was the greatest. Jesus addressed this by teaching the values of humility and servanthood. In Mark 9:34-35 , it is written, "But they kept silent, for on the way they had been arguing with each other about who was the greatest. Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, 'If anyone wants to be first, he must be the last of all and the servant of all.'"

2. Paul and the Judaizers: The Apostle Paul faced opposition from Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish law. This rivalry centered on the nature of salvation and the role of the law, with Paul defending the doctrine of justification by faith. Galatians 2:4-5 highlights this conflict: "This issue arose because some false brothers had come in under false pretenses to spy on our freedom in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel would remain with you."

Theological Reflections

Rivalries in the Bible often reveal the human tendency toward sin and the need for divine intervention. They illustrate the consequences of unchecked ambition and the importance of seeking God's will above personal gain. The biblical response to rivalry is rooted in love, forgiveness, and the pursuit of peace, as exemplified by Christ's teachings and actions. James 3:16 warns, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This serves as a reminder of the spiritual dangers inherent in rivalries and the call to live in harmony with one another.(n.) Plural of Rivalry.

Impotence and Rivalries of the Sophists Put to Shame by the Death ...
... Section 50. Impotence and rivalries of the Sophists put to shame by the Death
of Christ. His Resurrection unparalleled even in Greek legend. ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 50 impotence and rivalries.htm

Errata.
... Page 594, line 22. For, will: read, wilt. Page 603, line 31. For, rivalries:
read, rivalry. Page 627, line 28. For, days: read, days'. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/ayer/a source book for ancient church history/errata.htm

Of Patience Generally; and Tertullian's Own Unworthiness to Treat ...
... of some considerable wisdom, assign it so high a place, that, while they are mutually
at discord with the various fancies of their sects and rivalries of their ...
/.../tertullian/of patience/chapter i of patience generally and.htm

The Child in the Midst.
... We look at this scene"the disciples standing round, their hearts occupied, as ours
are apt to be, with their own ambitions, rivalries, and jealousies, and ...
//christianbookshelf.org/percival/sermons at rugby/ii the child in the.htm

Guelf and Ghibelline. (I)
... To this was added, as with Conrad, the prestige of a crusader; while in view of
the bitter rivalries of the last two reigns, it was a recommendation that ...
/.../medley/the church and the empire/chapter viii guelf and ghibelline.htm

Of the Prohibition of Adultery in the Decalogue.
... To omit tragedies, witness nowadays the poisoners, witness the magicians, how many
seductions I avenge, how many rivalries I revenge; how many guards, how many ...
/.../tertullian/on modesty/chapter v of the prohibition of.htm

The Lapse of Time.
... full of schemes and projects; whether in a greater or humbler rank, they had their
hopes and fears, their prospects, their pursuits, their rivalries; all these ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol vii/sermon i the lapse of.htm

Judging, Asking, and Giving
... Literature and politics, as well as social life with its rivalries, are infested
by it, and it finds its way into the church and threatens us all. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/judging asking and giving.htm

Letter ccxix. To the Clergy of Samosata.
... and so, in lieu of supplication, I hold out this letter to you, that you may respect
my entreaty, may put a stop to your mutual rivalries, and may soon send me ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/letter ccxix to the clergy.htm

The Timeliness of Prayer
... illumination. And if Christian faith and prayer is a supernatural, and therefore
an international rivalries and tutelary gods? Truly ...
/.../forsyth/the soul of prayer/chapter iv the timeliness of.htm

Rivalries (1 Occurrence)
...Rivalries (1 Occurrence). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (WEB YLT). ...
/r/rivalries.htm - 6k

Maccabaeus
... had left the patriotic party in a deplorable condition from which it was rescued
by the skill and ability of Jonathan, aided largely by the rivalries among the ...
/m/maccabaeus.htm - 17k

Rival (5 Occurrences)

/r/rival.htm - 8k

Rivalry (8 Occurrences)

/r/rivalry.htm - 8k

Maccabees
... had left the patriotic party in a deplorable condition from which it was rescued
by the skill and ability of Jonathan, aided largely by the rivalries among the ...
/m/maccabees.htm - 52k

Outbursts (5 Occurrences)
... Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts
of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (WEB WEY NAS). ...
/o/outbursts.htm - 8k

Jealousies (2 Occurrences)
... Jealousies (2 Occurrences). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife,
jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (WEB ASV DBY). ...
/j/jealousies.htm - 7k

Fits (2 Occurrences)
... Fits (2 Occurrences). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (See NIV). ...
/f/fits.htm - 6k

Rage (43 Occurrences)
... (DBY NAS RSV). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies,
outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, (See NIV). ...
/r/rage.htm - 19k

Discord (7 Occurrences)
... (See RSV). Galatians 5:20 idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strifes, emulations,
wraths, rivalries, dissensions, sects, (See NIV). Esther ...
/d/discord.htm - 8k

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