Love does not envy
Consequently, love does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4). It is impossible that it should. It is directly opposite to that poisonous temper. It cannot be that the person who has this tender affection for all, who earnestly wishes every temporal and spiritual blessing, every good thing in this world and in the world to come, to every soul that God has made, should be pained at his giving any good gift to any child of man. If he has himself received the same, he does not grieve, but rejoices, that another shares the common benefit. If he has not, he blesses God that his brother at least has it, and is in this happier than himself. And the greater his love, the more he rejoices in the blessings of all mankind, and the further he is removed from every kind and degree of envy toward any creature.
1771 text
5. Consequently, love envieth not, it is impossible it should, it is directly opposite to that baneful temper. It cannot be, that he who has this tender affection to all, who earnestly wishes all temporal and spiritual blessings, all good things in this world and the world to come, to every soul that God hath made, should be pained at his bestowing any good gift, on any child of man. If he has himself received the same, he does not grieve but rejoice, that another partakes of the common benefit. If he has not, he blesses God, that his brother at least has, and is herein happier than himself. And the greater his love, the more does he rejoice, in the blessings of all mankind: the farther is he removed from every kind and degree of envy toward any creature.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 22 in the 1771 Works. Matthew 5:5-7.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.