Q 132 What are the sins of equals?

A. The sins of equals are, besides the neglect of the duties required,[713] the undervaluing of the worth,[714] envying the gifts,[715] grieving at the advancement of prosperity one of another;[716] and usurping pre-eminence one over another.[717]

[713] Romans 13:8. Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.

[714] 2 Timothy 3:3. Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good.

[715] Acts 7:9. And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him.

Galatians 5:26. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

[716] Numbers 12:2. And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.

Esther 6:12-13. And Mordecai came again to the king's gate. But Haman hasted to his house mourning, and having his head covered. And Haman told Zeresh his wife and all his friends every thing that had befallen him. Then said his wise men and Zeresh his wife unto him, If Mordecai be of the seed of the Jews, before whom thou hast begun to fall, thou shalt not prevail against him, but shalt surely fall before him.

[717] 3 John 9. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.

Luke 22:24. And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be accounted the greatest.