Bible Quiz – Envy: True or
False
Envy is a powerful emotion
that can quietly grow in the human heart. The Bible shows us that envy can
damage relationships, produce bitterness, encourage wrong actions, and turn our
attention away from gratitude for what God has given us.
From Cain’s jealousy of Abel
to Joseph’s brothers envying him, and from Saul’s jealousy of David to the
warnings found in Proverbs and the New Testament, Scripture gives us many
examples of the dangers of envy.
This Bible Quiz – “Envy”
True or False will help you explore what the Bible teaches about envy,
jealousy, contentment, love, and the condition of the heart.
Read each statement
carefully and decide whether it is True or False before checking the
answers and references.
Instructions
1. Read
each statement carefully.
2. Decide
whether the statement is True or False.
3. Try
to answer all the questions before looking at the answer section.
4. After
completing the quiz, check the answers and read the listed Bible references.
5. Use
the references to study the biblical teaching about envy more deeply.
True or False Questions
1.
Cain became angry and
jealous when God accepted Abel’s offering but did not accept his own offering.
True or False?
2.
God told Cain that he had
nothing to worry about after his offering was rejected.
True or False?
3.
Cain’s jealousy eventually
led him to kill his brother Abel.
True or False?
4.
Joseph’s brothers became
envious of him because of their father’s special love for him and because of
his dreams.
True or False?
5.
Joseph’s brothers welcomed
his dreams and encouraged him because they believed he would become greater
than them.
True or False?
6.
Saul became jealous of David
after hearing the women praise David for his military victories.
True or False?
7.
Saul’s jealousy toward David
remained only an inward feeling and never affected his actions.
True or False?
8.
Proverbs teaches that envy
can have destructive effects on a person.
True or False?
9.
According to Proverbs, a
tranquil heart is associated with healthy life, while envy is described as
something harmful to the body.
True or False?
10.
The Bible teaches that envy
and jealousy can exist among people who claim to be spiritually mature.
True or False?
11.
James teaches that bitter
envy and selfish ambition can produce disorder and harmful practices.
True or False?
12.
James teaches that envy
always produces peace and unity among people.
True or False?
13.
The Bible presents love as
something that rejoices when others receive good rather than becoming envious
of them.
True or False?
14.
The older brother in Jesus’
parable of the Prodigal Son became angry when his father celebrated the return
of his younger brother.
True or False?
15.
The older brother
immediately celebrated with his father and welcomed his younger brother without
any complaint.
True or False?
16.
The religious leaders handed
Jesus over to Pilate because of envy.
True or False?
17.
The Bible teaches that
believers should rejoice with those who rejoice.
True or False?
18.
Paul warns that Christians
should not become conceited, provoke one another, or envy one another.
True or False?
19.
The Bible teaches that envy
is always harmless as long as a person does not act upon it.
True or False?
20.
Scripture encourages
believers to develop contentment rather than continually comparing themselves
with others.
True or False?
Answers and References
1. True
Cain became angry when God
respected Abel and his offering but did not respect Cain and his offering. God
warned Cain about the sinful desire that was seeking to control him.
Reference:
Genesis 4:3–7
2. False
God did not simply dismiss
Cain’s situation. Instead, God warned him that sin was crouching at the door
and that Cain needed to master it.
Reference:
Genesis 4:6–7
3. True
Cain’s anger and jealousy
eventually resulted in the murder of his brother Abel.
Reference:
Genesis 4:8
4. True
Joseph’s brothers were
jealous of him because their father loved Joseph more than them, and they were
also troubled by Joseph’s dreams.
Reference:
Genesis 37:3–11
5. False
Joseph’s brothers did not
encourage him. Their jealousy and hatred increased, and they eventually
conspired against him.
Reference:
Genesis 37:4, 5–11, 18–28
6. True
After David’s victory over
Goliath and subsequent military successes, the women praised David and Saul.
Saul became very angry and jealous when he heard them attribute greater
military success to David.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:6–9
7. False
Saul’s jealousy affected his
behavior. He became hostile toward David, attempted to kill him, and repeatedly
pursued him.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:10–11; 19:1, 9–10; 23:14
8. True
Proverbs presents envy as
something that can bring serious harm rather than being a harmless emotion.
Reference:
Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 23:17
9. True
Proverbs contrasts a
tranquil or healthy heart with envy, describing envy as something that can
affect the body negatively.
Reference:
Proverbs 14:30
10. True
The New Testament shows that
envy can exist within communities of believers and can contribute to quarrels
and division.
Reference: 1
Corinthians 3:1–3; James 3:14–16
11. True
James connects bitter envy
and selfish ambition with disorder and every kind of evil practice.
Reference:
James 3:14–16
12. False
James teaches the opposite.
He connects bitter envy and selfish ambition with disorder and harmful
practices.
Reference:
James 3:14–16
13. True
Biblical love does not seek
another person's downfall or become resentful because of another person's
blessings. Love is described as patient, kind, and not boastful.
Reference: 1
Corinthians 13:4–7
14. True
In the parable of the
Prodigal Son, the older brother became angry when his father welcomed his
younger brother home and celebrated his return.
Reference:
Luke 15:25–30
15. False
The older brother became
angry and refused to go into the celebration. He complained to his father about
the treatment given to his younger brother.
Reference:
Luke 15:25–30
16. True
Matthew records that Pilate
understood that the religious leaders had delivered Jesus up because of envy.
Reference:
Matthew 27:17–18
17. True
Paul instructs believers to
rejoice with those who rejoice and to weep with those who weep.
Reference:
Romans 12:15
18. True
Paul specifically warns
believers against becoming conceited, provoking one another, and envying one
another.
Reference:
Galatians 5:26
19. False
The Bible treats envy
seriously because it can affect the heart and lead to conflict, disorder, and
harmful actions.
Reference:
Proverbs 14:30; James 3:14–16; Galatians 5:19–21
20. True
Scripture encourages
believers toward contentment and warns against allowing the desire for what
others possess to control the heart.
Reference:
Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:6–8
A Final Thought
The Bible's teaching about
envy goes deeper than simply telling us not to be jealous of other people.
Scripture repeatedly directs our attention toward the condition of our own
hearts.
Envy asks, “Why do they
have what I want?”
Contentment asks, “What
has God entrusted to me, and how can I faithfully use it?”
The examples of Cain,
Joseph’s brothers, Saul, and others remind us that unchecked envy can grow into
anger, hatred, conflict, and destructive actions. But Scripture also points us
toward contentment, love, humility, gratitude, and trust in God.
Call to Action
How well did you understand
what the Bible teaches about envy?
After completing this True
or False quiz, take a few moments to read the references for yourself. Then
share this Bible Quiz with your family, friends, Bible study group, Sunday
school class, or fellow believers.
Keep studying the Word of
God, keep growing in wisdom, and keep discovering what Scripture teaches about
the condition of the heart.
Bible Quiz – Envy: True or
False – Level 2
Welcome to Level 2 of the
Bible Quiz – “Envy” True or False.
In Level 1, we explored some
familiar biblical examples of envy and jealousy. In this level, the questions
go a little deeper. They examine biblical characters, warnings, attitudes, and
the consequences associated with envy.
Some statements may sound
correct at first, so read each one carefully. Pay attention to what Scripture
actually says rather than relying on assumptions.
This quiz is an opportunity
not only to test your Bible knowledge but also to discover how seriously
Scripture treats the condition of the heart.
Instructions
1. Read
each statement carefully.
2. Decide
whether it is True or False.
3. Try
to answer all the questions before checking the answers.
4. After
completing the quiz, study the references given with each answer.
5. Remember
that the purpose of this quiz is Bible study as well as Bible knowledge.
True or False Questions –
Level 2
1.
Joseph’s brothers hated him
partly because their father openly showed Joseph special affection.
True or False?
2.
Joseph’s brothers became
jealous of him only after Joseph became governor of Egypt.
True or False?
3.
Joseph’s dreams contributed
to the hostility of his brothers toward him.
True or False?
4.
When Miriam and Aaron spoke
against Moses, their criticism was completely unrelated to jealousy or pride.
True or False?
5.
Korah and those who joined
him challenged Moses and Aaron because they were dissatisfied with their
position among the people.
True or False?
6.
The jealousy of Saul toward David
began only after David became king.
True or False?
7.
Saul recognized that David's
success caused the people to admire David, and this contributed to Saul's
hostility toward him.
True or False?
8.
Jonathan responded to
David's growing popularity by becoming jealous and trying to remove him from
Saul's presence.
True or False?
9.
Jonathan formed a close
friendship with David even though David's success threatened Jonathan's own
position as Saul's son.
True or False?
10.
The priests and rulers who
opposed Jesus were described by Pilate as delivering Him up because of envy.
True or False?
11.
According to Proverbs, envy
is presented as a sign of a peaceful and healthy heart.
True or False?
12.
Proverbs warns people not to
let their hearts envy sinners.
True or False?
13.
The Bible teaches that
jealousy can sometimes lead a person to desire what belongs to another person.
True or False?
14.
The Ten Commandments
prohibit coveting another person's house, spouse, servants, animals, or
possessions.
True or False?
15.
Paul teaches that jealousy
and envy belong among the works of the flesh.
True or False?
16.
According to James, bitter
envy and selfish ambition can exist in the heart while a person outwardly
claims to possess wisdom.
True or False?
17.
James teaches that heavenly
wisdom is characterized by bitter envy and selfish ambition.
True or False?
18.
The Bible presents envy as
something that can create rivalry and disorder within a community.
True or False?
19.
Paul teaches that believers
should compare their spiritual gifts with one another so that they can
determine who is most important.
True or False?
20.
The biblical teaching on
envy points believers toward humility, love, contentment, and concern for
others rather than rivalry.
True or False?
Answers and References
1. True
Joseph's brothers saw that
their father loved Joseph more than them. Their resentment became so strong
that they could not speak peacefully to him.
Reference:
Genesis 37:3–4
2. False
Joseph's brothers became
hostile toward him long before he became governor of Egypt. Their jealousy
developed while Joseph was still living with his family.
Reference:
Genesis 37:3–11
3. True
Joseph's dreams intensified
the hostility of his brothers because the dreams suggested that they would one
day bow before him.
Reference:
Genesis 37:5–11
4. False
Miriam and Aaron spoke
against Moses, and the passage connects their criticism with the issue of
Moses' unique relationship with God. The following statement about Moses'
humility and God's special communication with him shows that the matter was
more serious than an ordinary disagreement.
Reference:
Numbers 12:1–8
5. True
Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and
others challenged Moses and Aaron, questioning their authority and claiming
that Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves above the congregation.
Reference:
Numbers 16:1–3, 12–14
6. False
Saul's jealousy toward David
began before David became king. David was still serving under Saul when Saul
became threatened by David's popularity.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:6–9
7. True
Saul heard the women
praising David's victories and became angry because their song attributed
greater military success to David than to Saul.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:6–9
8. False
Jonathan did not become
jealous of David. Instead, Jonathan loved David and protected him despite the
danger David's success created for Saul's royal succession.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:1–4; 19:1–7
9. True
Jonathan's friendship with
David is one of the clearest biblical examples of loyalty overcoming rivalry.
Jonathan recognized David's calling and made a covenant of friendship with him.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:1–4; 20:12–17
10. True
Pilate understood that the
religious leaders had handed Jesus over because of envy.
Reference:
Matthew 27:17–18
11. False
Proverbs presents envy as
harmful rather than as evidence of a peaceful and healthy heart.
Reference:
Proverbs 14:30
12. True
Proverbs specifically warns
against allowing the heart to envy sinners and instead encourages continued
reverence for God.
Reference:
Proverbs 23:17
13. True
Biblical teaching connects
envy and coveting with an unhealthy desire for what belongs to another person.
Reference:
Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21
14. True
The commandment against
coveting specifically mentions another person's house, wife, servants, ox,
donkey, and possessions.
Reference:
Exodus 20:17
15. True
Paul lists jealousy and envy
among the works associated with the flesh.
Reference:
Galatians 5:19–21
16. True
James warns that a person
can have bitter envy and selfish ambition within the heart while making claims
about possessing wisdom.
Reference:
James 3:13–16
17. False
James teaches the opposite.
The wisdom that comes from above is described as pure, peaceable, gentle,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, and sincere.
Reference:
James 3:17
18. True
James directly connects
bitter envy and selfish ambition with disorder and harmful practices.
Reference:
James 3:14–16
19. False
Paul teaches that believers
have different gifts and functions within one body. The emphasis is on serving
together rather than determining who is most important.
Reference:
Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
20. True
The New Testament repeatedly
directs believers toward love, humility, unity, contentment, and concern for
others rather than rivalry and envy.
Reference:
Philippians 2:3–4; Romans 12:10, 15; Hebrews 13:5; Galatians 5:26
A Final Thought
Envy often begins with
comparison.
One person receives
recognition, another receives an opportunity, someone else appears more
successful, or another person receives something we deeply desire. The danger
begins when another person's blessing becomes a reason for our resentment.
Scripture gives us
contrasting examples. Saul allowed David's success to become a source of
jealousy and hostility, while Jonathan responded to David with friendship and
loyalty.
The question is not simply
whether someone else has more than we do. The deeper question is what
happens inside our hearts when we see another person being blessed, honored, or
successful?
Biblical wisdom calls us
away from rivalry and toward contentment, humility, love, and trust in God.
Call to Action
How many did you get correct
in Level 2?
Do not stop with the
answers. Take time to read the references and examine the biblical examples for
yourself. Consider sharing this quiz with your family, friends, Bible study
group, Sunday school class, or church community.
Keep studying Scripture,
keep testing your understanding, and keep allowing God's Word to shape your
heart and character.
Bible Quiz – Envy: True or
False – Level 3
Welcome to Level 3 of the
Bible Quiz – “Envy” True or False.
This is the most challenging
level in the series. The questions go beyond recognizing familiar stories and
examine the deeper biblical teaching about envy, jealousy, coveting,
comparison, rivalry, contentment, and the condition of the human heart.
Some statements are
deliberately close to what Scripture teaches, so read every word carefully. A
statement may sound reasonable while still being different from the biblical
account.
Take your time, answer from
your understanding of Scripture, and then examine the references provided in
the answer section.
Instructions
1. Read
each statement carefully before answering.
2. Decide
whether each statement is True or False.
3. Try
to complete all 20 questions before checking the answers.
4. After
finishing the quiz, compare your answers with the answer section.
5. Read
the Bible references for each answer and study the surrounding passages where
possible.
6. Remember
that the goal is not merely to achieve a high score but to understand what
Scripture teaches about envy.
True or False Questions –
Level 3
1.
Cain's sin was limited to
feeling disappointed about his offering; Scripture does not connect his
attitude with the danger of sin controlling him.
True or False?
2.
God warned Cain that sin was
crouching at the door and that Cain needed to rule over it.
True or False?
3.
Joseph's brothers' hatred
developed before Joseph's dreams were mentioned, and the dreams had no effect
on their attitude toward him.
True or False?
4.
Joseph's brothers' response
to his dreams demonstrates how envy can cause another person's perceived future
success to become a source of resentment.
True or False?
5.
Saul's jealousy of David was
caused solely by David's personal hostility toward Saul.
True or False?
6.
Saul's reaction to the
women's song shows that comparison can transform another person's success into
a perceived threat.
True or False?
7.
Jonathan's relationship with
David demonstrates that another person's success does not necessarily have to
produce envy or rivalry.
True or False?
8.
The commandment against
coveting deals only with physical possessions and has nothing to do with
another person's spouse.
True or False?
9.
Proverbs distinguishes
between a heart at peace and a heart consumed by envy.
True or False?
10.
The warning not to envy
sinners is connected with continuing reverence for the Lord rather than
measuring one's life by the apparent success of others.
True or False?
11.
James presents bitter envy
and selfish ambition as characteristics that can coexist with genuine heavenly
wisdom.
True or False?
12.
According to James, bitter
envy and selfish ambition can produce disorder and every kind of evil practice.
True or False?
13.
James describes the wisdom
from above as peaceable, gentle, merciful, impartial, and sincere.
True or False?
14.
Paul's warning against
conceit, provocation, and envy shows that rivalry can damage relationships even
among believers.
True or False?
15.
The New Testament teaches
that envy is harmless if it remains hidden in the heart and never becomes an
outward action.
True or False?
16.
Paul's teaching about
different spiritual gifts emphasizes that believers have different functions
within one body rather than having identical roles.
True or False?
17.
The biblical teaching on
spiritual gifts gives believers a reason to envy those who have gifts different
from their own.
True or False?
18.
The older brother in the
Parable of the Prodigal Son illustrates how resentment can arise when another
person's restoration receives attention and celebration.
True or False?
19.
The biblical answer to envy
is simply to obtain the same things that another person possesses.
True or False?
20.
Biblical contentment
redirects a person's attention from comparison with others toward gratitude and
trust in God's provision.
True or False?
Answers and References
1. False
Cain's response was more
serious than ordinary disappointment. His anger and fallen countenance led God
to warn him about sin crouching at the door and the need to rule over it.
Reference:
Genesis 4:5–7
2. True
God explicitly warned Cain
that sin was crouching at the door and called him to rule over it.
Reference:
Genesis 4:6–7
3. False
Joseph's brothers already
hated him because of their father's special love for him. His dreams further
increased their hostility.
Reference:
Genesis 37:3–8
4. True
Joseph's dreams intensified
the resentment of his brothers. Their reaction illustrates how another person's
perceived elevation can become a source of hostility.
Reference:
Genesis 37:5–11
5. False
The biblical account does
not present Saul's jealousy as simply a response to David being hostile toward
him. Saul became jealous after hearing the women praise David's victories, and
his hostility subsequently increased.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:6–12
6. True
Saul heard the people
praising David and became angry because he perceived David's greater praise as
a threat to his own position.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:6–9
7. True
Jonathan provides a striking
contrast to Saul. Rather than becoming jealous of David, Jonathan loved him,
made a covenant with him, and helped protect him.
Reference: 1
Samuel 18:1–4; 20:16–17
8. False
The commandment against
coveting explicitly includes another person's wife as well as his house,
servants, animals, and possessions.
Reference:
Exodus 20:17; Deuteronomy 5:21
9. True
Proverbs contrasts a
tranquil heart with envy, describing envy as something that affects the body
destructively.
Reference:
Proverbs 14:30
10. True
Proverbs warns against
envying sinners and connects the alternative with continuing reverence for the
Lord and the hope of a future reward.
Reference:
Proverbs 23:17–18
11. False
James does not identify
bitter envy and selfish ambition with heavenly wisdom. Instead, he warns that
these attitudes are earthly, unspiritual, and associated with disorder.
Reference:
James 3:14–16
12. True
James directly connects
bitter envy and selfish ambition with disorder and every kind of evil practice.
Reference:
James 3:14–16
13. True
James describes wisdom from
above as pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good
fruits, impartial, and sincere.
Reference:
James 3:17
14. True
Paul warns believers not to
become conceited, provoke one another, or envy one another. This demonstrates
that such attitudes can damage relationships within the Christian community.
Reference:
Galatians 5:26
15. False
Scripture treats envy as a
serious condition of the heart. It is listed among sinful attitudes and
behaviors and is associated with conflict and disorder.
Reference:
Galatians 5:19–21; James 3:14–16
16. True
Paul explains that believers
have different gifts and functions, just as the members of one body have
different roles.
Reference:
Romans 12:3–8; 1 Corinthians 12:12–27
17. False
The teaching about spiritual
gifts does not provide a reason for envy. Instead, believers are presented as
different members of one body, each with a valuable function.
Reference: 1
Corinthians 12:14–27
18. True
The older brother became
angry when his father celebrated the return of his younger brother. His
response reveals resentment toward the attention and celebration given to
someone he believed had acted wrongly.
Reference:
Luke 15:25–30
19. False
Scripture does not present
acquiring what others have as the solution to envy. Instead, believers are
instructed toward contentment, gratitude, love, humility, and trust in God.
Reference:
Hebrews 13:5; Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:6–8
20. True
Paul describes learning
contentment in both abundance and need. Biblical contentment therefore shifts
the focus away from constant comparison and toward trust in God's provision.
Reference:
Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:6–8
Short Reflection – When
Another Person Is Blessed
Envy often begins quietly.
We see someone else's
success, recognition, possessions, opportunities, relationships, or blessings,
and something changes within us. Instead of simply being grateful for what God
has given us, we begin comparing.
The stories of Saul and
David, Joseph and his brothers, and the older brother in Jesus' parable remind
us that comparison can become dangerous when another person's blessing feels
like our loss.
But Jonathan shows us
another possibility. He could recognize David's success without allowing envy
to control his heart. Scripture calls us toward that kind of freedom.
Another person's blessing
does not mean that God has forgotten you.
God's work in someone else's
life does not diminish His love, purpose, or provision for you. Contentment
does not mean that we stop having goals or desires; it means that we learn to
trust God without allowing comparison to rule our hearts.
A helpful question to carry
with you today is:
“Can I genuinely thank God
for someone else's blessing without feeling that it takes something away from
me?”
Bring that question honestly
before God. Ask Him to replace comparison with gratitude, rivalry with love,
and envy with contentment.
Call to Action
How did you do in Level 3?
More importantly, which
question made you stop and think?
Take some time to read the
references in context and allow God's Word to speak beyond the quiz itself.
Share this Bible Quiz with your family, friends, Bible study group, Sunday
school class, or church community.
Keep studying Scripture,
keep examining the heart, and keep growing in the wisdom that comes from God's
Word.
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