In vain; without any urgent necessity of warning us.

The spirit that dwelleth in us; the human spirit that belongs to us as a fallen sinful race.

Lusteth to envy; to the exciting of envious desires. It is the constant doctrine of the Old Testament, that men naturally desire what others have, and that this spirit in the form of envy, jealousy, and covetousness, produces immense evil. Ecclesiastes 4:4; Job 5:2; Proverbs 14:30; Proverbs 27:4; Genesis 26:14; Genesis 30:1; Genesis 37:11; Psalms 73:3; Psalms 106:16. The conduct of men in all ages has shown this doctrine to be true. You therefore ought to take warning, and earnestly strive against its power. Some prefer to read this passage as two questions, thus: "Do ye think that the scripture speaketh in vain? Doth the Spirit that hath dwelt in us"-the Holy Spirit whom God has given to dwell in our hearts-"lust to envy?"-excite lusts that lead to envy?

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Old Testament