“Jealousy” usually has a very negative connotation to it, and rightfully so, as the Lord includes “jealousy” in His list of the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21. Since “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God,” this is a matter deserving our careful attention!
However, Paul introduces us to a “godly jealousy” in 2 Corinthians 11:2. Those two words may seem paradoxical, but consider it for a moment. We first read the word “jealous” in Exodus 20—the Ten Commandments chapter. After commanding, “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them,” the Lord said, “For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God” (20:4-5). God demanded that His people have no other gods and not make any images to worship, for He wanted them to Himself! He would not stand for them to fraternize with anything or anyone else! He is jealous for His people!
Bring that back into 2 Corinthians 11. Paul told these Christians, “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy.” What did he mean by that? Remembering how God used that word in Exodus 20 (“I am a jealous God”), look at the next three statements that Paul makes which start with the word “I,” and you’ll understand exactly what he meant.
“I have betrothed you to one husband.” Paul had taught them the gospel of Christ, and upon their conversion to Jesus, they became part of His church, “the bride” (Acts 2:47; Rev. 22:17). Paul had promised them in marriage, and his godly jealousy could not stand for them to leave their Husband.
“That I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.” Paul longed for the church to remain “as a pure virgin” (NASB)—doctrinally and morally—and to keep “herself ready” for that final day when the bride (the church) is presented to her Husband and “the marriage of the Lamb has come” (Rev. 19:7). Paul’s godly jealousy could not stand for them to not be there on that day.
“I am afraid that…your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (11:3, NASB). Paul feared that his converts may be deceived to tolerate and follow after “another Jesus,” “a different spirit” or “a different gospel” (11:4), which would take them away from Christ and their heavenly reward. Paul’s godly jealousy could not stand for them to leave truth and go down the wrong path.
When you think about your children, when you think about those you have helped come to Christ, when you think about your brothers and sisters in Christ, do you have a “godly jealousy” for them to remain faithful to Christ and to not fraternize with the enemy or be led astray from truth? We need more brethren who have a “godly jealousy” for each other!