• Envy
    Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1

    • as grass that quickly dries up under the intense heat of the sun. (Ps 37:1, 2) Regardless of the prosperity of those who gain their objectives by violence, they are detestable to Jehovah and under his curse. (Pr 3:31-33) Theirs is a life without a future.​—Pr 23:17, 18; 24:1, 19, 20.

      The pathetic lot of the envious person is set forth in the inspired proverb: “A man of envious [literally, “bad; evil”] eye is bestirring himself after valuable things, but he does not know that want itself will come upon him.” (Pr 28:22) The person with an envious eye is actually heading for want. While struggling to raise himself to the level of those he envies, he degrades himself morally, sacrificing right principles. Even if he succeeds in acquiring riches, these are but temporary and must be left behind at death. Thus he has struggled or ‘bestirred himself’ for nothing. Jesus included “an envious [literally, “wicked”] eye” among the wicked things that issue forth from within a man and defile him.​—Mr 7:22, 23.

      Envy is a despicable work of the flesh that stands in the way of one’s inheriting God’s Kingdom. (Ga 5:19-21) All who persist in it are “deserving of death.” (Ro 1:29, 32) With the help of God’s spirit, however, the tendency to envy can be resisted.​—Ga 5:16-18, 25, 26; Tit 3:3-5; 1Pe 2:1.

  • Epaenetus
    Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1

    • EPAENETUS

      (E·paeʹne·tus) [Praised; Commended].

      A Christian in the congregation at Rome whom Paul mentions by name and to whom he sends personal greetings. (Ro 16:5) Epaenetus is called “a firstfruits of Asia.” Possibly he was contacted personally by Paul, since the household of Stephanas is similarly referred to as “the firstfruits of Achaia,” and Paul baptized this household.​—1Co 1:16; 16:15.

  • Epaphras
    Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1

    • EPAPHRAS

      (Epʹa·phras) [a contraction of Epaphroditus].

      A faithful minister of Christ who, by preaching the good news, acquainted the Colossians with the undeserved kindness of God and thus very likely was instrumental in establishing the congregation at Colossae. At the time of Paul’s first imprisonment, Epaphras came to Rome, bringing an encouraging report in regard to the love and steadfastness of the Colossian congregation. (Col 1:4-8) Evidently he remained in Rome, at least for a time, since Paul, in writing his letter to the Colossians, includes Epaphras’ greetings and assures them that this slave of Jesus Christ always exerts himself “in your behalf in his prayers, that you may finally stand complete and with firm conviction in all the will of God.” As testified by Paul, this beloved fellow slave also put forth great effort in behalf of the brothers in Laodicea and Hierapolis. (Col 4:12, 13) Then, too, in writing to Philemon, Paul conveys the greetings of Epaphras and refers to him as “my fellow captive in union with Christ.” (Phm 23) Epaphras is not to be confused with Epaphroditus from Philippi.

  • Epaphroditus
    Insight on the Scriptures, Volume 1

    • EPAPHRODITUS

      (E·paph·ro·diʹtus) [from a root meaning “foam up”].

      A trustworthy member of the congregation at Philippi, Macedonia, who was sent with a gift to Paul, then a prisoner at Rome (c. 59-61 C.E.). (Php 2:25; 4:18) While in Rome, Epaphroditus “fell sick nearly to the point of death; but God had mercy on him.” News of his sickness reached the Philippians and they, perhaps, anxiously made inquiry. Since Epaphroditus was longing to see the Philippians and was distressed that they had learned about his illness, Paul considered it advisable to send Epaphroditus back quickly upon his recovery and entrusted him with his letter to the Philippian congregation. Paul encouraged the brothers to give Epaphroditus “the customary welcome in the Lord” and to “keep holding men of that sort dear.” For it had been on account of the Lord’s work that Epaphroditus had exposed himself to danger, coming quite near to death. (Php 2:25-30) Epaphroditus is not to be confused with the Epaphras from Colossae.