Why do you envy your brother?
Elaine H. Pagels / John D. Turner (composite) · Public domain / scholarly composite. Reproduced for educational and religious commentary.
1My brother, when you see your brother gifted with a charism that you do not have, do not envy him. The gift is not his — it is the Father's. The Father gives to each what each needs.
2The body has many members. Each member has its own work. The eye sees, the ear hears, the foot walks. The eye does not envy the ear; the ear does not envy the foot. Each is glad in its own work.
3So it is in the spiritual body. One has prophecy, another has teaching, another has healing. Each is a gift. The gifts are different; the giver is one.
4When you see your brother prophesying, give thanks to the Father — for in the prophesying of your brother, the Father is glorified, and the body is built up.
5Jealousy is from the rulers. The rulers are envious; they envied the Mother; they envied the holy seed. Do not be like them. The spiritual race is one body; envy has no place in it.
6Be at peace with your brothers. Love your brothers. Honour the gifts. Honour the Father. Then the spiritual body shall grow into its fullness.
7Such is the interpretation of knowledge.