What does the Bible mean when it refers to emulations?

Response

To emulate is to imitate. Emulations, as used in some older translations of the Bible, is an outdated term meaning “jealous competition” or “ambition driven by envy.” Sinful emulation is a greed-driven desire to “imitate” someone’s success or share their wealth; it is a form of “keeping up with the Joneses,” steeped in covetousness.

In the KJV Bible, a form of the word emulations is used in two instances: one positive and one negative. Galatians 5:19–21 lists the works of the flesh. Verse 20 mentions the sins of idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, and emulations, among others. In other versions of the Bible, such as the NIV and ESV, the term jealousy replaces the KJV’s emulations.

Emulation is not the fleeting experience of jealous feelings we all encounter occasionally. The sins outlined in Galatians 5:19–20 are those that characterize a person. Verse 21 further states that “those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Sinful emulations are envious thoughts and behaviors that lead a person to dwell in a state of hatred and envy.

In another passage, a form of the word emulations is used by Paul to describe a constructive “jealousy” that would prompt his Jewish brothers to seek God. Romans 11:14 states, “If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them” (KJV). Paul is expressing that he had been commissioned by God as a missionary to the Gentiles (Acts 28:28;Romans 11:13). Due to the Jews’ belief in their ethnic superiority and divine entitlement, they were appalled by the notion that their Messiah had also come to save Gentiles. Paul’s aspiration was that, as his Jewish brothers witnessed Gentiles entering into a covenant relationship with God, they would be stirred to jealousy and recognize their mistake in rejecting Jesus as their Messiah. In that scenario, em

Emulations would have a positive outcome.

When we emulate someone, we imitate him or her because we admire some character quality or behavior. Paul repeatedly instructed new believers to imitate him as he imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 4:16; 1 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 3:17). Our goal as Christians is to emulate Jesus as He emulated the Father (John 5:19; John 14:12).
Sinful emulations, in the KJV’s usage of the word, are related to covetousness, strife, and strong, negative emotions see Proverbs 27:4. Hearts full of emulations prompted Joseph’s brothers to treat him ill «And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him. », (Genesis 37:4). Emulations led to Gehazi’s downfall (2 Kings 5:15-27). The lies told by Ananias and Sapphira were likely due to that couple’s sinful desire to attain the place of honor that Barnabas had earned in the church (Acts 4:36 — 5:10). In emulating Barnabas’ generosity, however, Ananias and Sapphira failed to emulate his honesty.

When we desire to emulate the wicked or harbor jealousy toward others, we cannot live in love and humility as God commands (Ephesians 5:2; Psalm 73:2-3). Sinful emulations will not accomplish God’s purpose in our lives, and we are to avoid allowing an attitude of envy or jealousy to live in our hearts.