Destructive Power Unleashed: φθόνος (Strong’s G5355: phthonos) Corrupts the Heart

Strong’s G5355: A primal emotion of ill-will and resentment at another’s good fortune, φθόνος denotes malicious envy that eats away at the soul. This vice, particularly condemned in early Christian teachings, represents a destructive force that opposes divine love and grace, marking a heart turned from gratitude to bitterness.

U – Unveiling the Word

The term φθόνος encapsulates more than simple jealousy; it represents a malevolent force that actively wishes ill upon others due to their success or blessings. This noun carries the weight of a consuming emotion that corrodes the soul from within. In the New Testament context, it appears frequently in vice lists, highlighting its serious nature as a sin that directly opposes Christian love and community. Early church fathers like Chrysostom particularly warned against its destructive power, noting how it turned Cain against Abel and Joseph’s brothers against him. Today, φθόνος remains deeply relevant as social media and consumer culture can fuel comparative thinking and resentment of others’ blessings, making this ancient word particularly pertinent for modern spiritual formation.

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N – Necessary Information

• Greek Word: φθόνος, phthonos, ftho’-nos
• Pronunciation: f-THON-os (where ‘th’ is pronounced as in ‘thick’)
• Part of Speech: Noun

Etymology:

• Root: φθίνω (phthíno) meaning “to decay” or “waste away”
• The word itself is a primitive noun, not compounded
• Related to the concept of consumption or decay, reflecting how envy consumes its bearer

D – Defining Meanings

• Malicious envy
• Spiteful jealousy
• Ill-will at another’s good fortune

For compound words: Not applicable as φθόνος is a primitive noun

Translation Options:

• Malicious envy – Best captures the destructive, ill-wishing nature
• Spiteful jealousy – Emphasizes the malevolent aspect
• Consuming envy – Reflects the etymology’s connection to decay

E – Exploring Similar Words

• ζῆλος (zēlos, dzay’-los) – Zeal or jealousy, but can be positive or negative – See G2205
• βασκανία (baskania, bas-kan-ee’-ah) – Evil eye, malicious envy – See G940
• παραζηλόω (parazēloō, par-ad-zay-lo’-o) – To provoke to jealousy – See G3863

R – Reviewing the Word’s Morphology

• Case: Nominative, Accusative, Genitive, Dative
• Number: Singular, Plural
• Gender: Masculine
• Declension: Second declension

The word follows standard second declension patterns:

• Nominative: φθόνος
• Genitive: φθόνου
• Dative: φθόνῳ
• Accusative: φθόνον

Cross-references:

• Verbal form: φθονέω (to envy)
• Adjectival form: φθονερός (envious)

S – Studying Lexicon Insights

Lexicons uniformly emphasize the malicious nature of φθόνος. BDAG distinguishes it from ζῆλος by highlighting its exclusively negative connotation. Thayer’s emphasizes its connection to spite and ill-will, while LSJ traces its classical usage to include the concept of begrudging or withholding. Vine’s notes its inclusion in vice lists, particularly in Romans and Galatians, where it appears alongside other serious sins. Strong’s connects it to the concept of deterioration, fitting its etymology. LEH highlights its use in the Septuagint, particularly in wisdom literature warning against its destructive nature. Moulton and Milligan provide papyri evidence showing its common usage in describing interpersonal conflicts in everyday life.

T – Tracing the Scriptures

First appearance:

Matthew 27:18: “For he knew that because of envy [φθόνος] they had handed Him over.”

Additional References:
Mark 15:10, Romans 1:29, Galatians 5:21, Philippians 1:15, 1 Timothy 6:4, Titus 3:3, James 4:5, 1 Peter 2:1

A – Analyzing Classical Usage

N – Noteworthy Summary

The study of φθόνος reveals a destructive force that operates in direct opposition to divine love. Its appearance in Matthew’s gospel, describing the motivation behind Yeshua’s betrayal, highlights its serious spiritual implications. The word serves as a powerful reminder that envy is not merely an emotion but a corrupting force that can lead to devastating consequences. The good news is that through the Messiah’s redemptive work, believers are called and empowered to put aside such destructive emotions, embracing instead His love and contentment. This transformation from φθόνος to gratitude marks the journey from darkness to light in the believer’s life.

D – Did You Know?

1. φθόνος was personified as a deity in Greek mythology, representing destructive envy
2. Ancient Greeks believed φθόνος could cause physical illness, leading to protective amulets
3. The word appears in early Christian baptismal renunciation formulas

Strong’s G5355: A primal emotion of ill-will and resentment at another’s good fortune, φθόνος denotes malicious envy that eats away at the soul. This vice, particularly condemned in early Christian teachings, represents a destructive force that opposes divine love and grace, marking a heart turned from gratitude to bitterness.

Part of speech: Noun

Tags: envy, jealousy, vice, sin, malice, ill-will, spiritual warfare, character, emotions, heart, Greek nouns, New Testament ethics, spiritual formation​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​