Acts 13:42-52

The men of the synagogue were good religious people. When they first heard what Paul and Barnabas had to say, they were impressed. Many of the Jews and devout God-fearing gentiles followed them to continue the conversation about Jesus. Many must have believed, because Paul and Barnabas urged them to continue in the grace of God. Even those who did not believe were interested in hearing more. They invited them to speak again the following Sabbath. We would not consider these men evil and wicked. They were upright and respected citizens who worshipped the God of Israel.

Everything changed the following Sabbath. The Jewish men of the synagogue became argumentative. They began to openly interrupt and contradict what Paul was saying. They became abusive and blasphemed against God by speaking against Jesus and the gospel. Luke told us that they changed when jealousy filled their heart. Jealousy prevented them from being open to the gospel.

They may have been jealous of Paul’s ministry. Almost the entire town had gathered to hear Paul speak. However, I think it is more likely that they were jealous of their position as God’s chosen people. Paul was sharing the good news that God did not show favoritism, but through Christ was offering salvation to everyone. When the gentiles began to believe, it meant that the Jews no longer had a monopoly on righteousness. They could no longer justify feeling and thinking they were superior. Luke did not make clear the nature of the jealousy, but it is clear jealousy prompted them to unrighteous actions.

Jealousy is still a danger to good people today. I knew a woman who prayed for her husband’s salvation, but secretly she felt superior because he was a nonbeliever. When he turned to the Lord, she became jealous of his commitment to Christ and the church. Jealousy caused her to become unrighteous toward her husband, the church and Christ. Although they moved, and I never learned how their marriage and relationship with Christ turned out, I did learn that jealousy kills righteousness.