We can be happy but how is that different than what the Bible says about Joy?
Introduction
Galatians 5:22-23. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
The Bible clearly says that “joy” is fruit of the Spirit. But what does that mean? Does that mean that there is only one way to have real joy? The short answer is yes, you can only have true joy if you have the Holy Spirit, and the only way to get Him is to trust in Jesus as your Savior. We see that here:
Ephesians 1:12-14. “That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.”
Let’s dig a little deeper into joy. Take a look at some definitions and details.
Joy or Happiness?
The word “joy” is frequently used interchangeably with “happiness”, but if we look into the definition of both of these words, we will see that they are not the same. I found both words in Webster’s 1828 Dictionary, but only joy can be found in the Bible.
HAP’PINESS, noun [from happy.] The agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good; that state of a being in which his desires are gratified, by the enjoyment of pleasure without pain; felicity; but happiness usually expresses less than felicity, and felicity less than bliss. happiness is comparative. To a person distressed with pain, relief from that pain affords happiness; in other cases we give the name happiness to positive pleasure or an excitement of agreeable sensations. happiness therefore admits of indefinite degrees of increase in enjoyment, or gratification of desires. Perfect happiness or pleasure unalloyed with pain, is not attainable in this life. (1)
JOY, noun
The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.
JOY is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good.
Bring heavenly balm to heal my country’s wounds, JOY to my soul and transport to my lay.
The cause of joy or happiness. Our joy or crown of rejoicing is in our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming (1 Thessalonians 2:19). (2)
At first these words do appear to mean the same thing but if you look a little closer, happiness is always dependent upon a “happenstance” or something that happens to you in life. Happiness is temporary, whereas joy is produced by the Holy Spirit in the life of a believer, and it is fruit that is continually produced as we walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:16, 25). The Bible uses several words from the original language to define joy.
From the Hebrew
gîyl (rejoice) – glad, joy, be joyful
sâmêach (merry) – blithe or gleeful; glad, joyful, rejoicing
sâsôwn (rejoicing) – cheerfulness; gladness, joy, mirth
shâʻaʻ (delight) – please or amuse, delight
simchâh (joy) – glee; exceeding gladness
sûws (joyful) – cheerful; be glad; make mirth, rejoice
From the Greek
agalliáō (rejoice) – jump for joy, exult
chará (joy) – cheerfulness, i.e. calm delight
chaírō (rejoice) – cheerful, calmly happy or well-off, be well
eudokéō (pleasure) – to think well of
hilarós (cheerful) – merry
Joy & Rejoicing in the Bible
Matthew 2:10. “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.”
Matthew 13:44. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.”
Luke 1:14. “And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth.”
Luke 2:10. “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.”
Luke 15:7. “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
John 15:11. “These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
Acts 8:6-8. “And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.”
Acts 13:50-52. “But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. 51 But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium. 52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.”
Galatians 5:22. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,”
1 Peter 1:6-9. “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
Merry in the Bible
Genesis 43:30-34. “And Joseph made haste; for his bowels did yearn upon his brother: and he sought where to weep; and he entered into his chamber, and wept there. 31 And he washed his face, and went out, and refrained himself, and said, Set on bread. 32 And they set on for him by himself, and for them by themselves, and for the Egyptians, which did eat with him, by themselves: because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an abomination unto the Egyptians. 33 And they sat before him, the firstborn according to his birthright, and the youngest according to his youth: and the men marveled one at another. 34 And he took and sent messes unto them from before him: but Benjamin’s mess was five times so much as any of theirs. And they drank, and were merry with him.”
Ecclesiastes 9:7. “Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works.”
Proverbs 17:22. “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”
Jeremiah 30:19. “And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.”
Luke 15:22-24. “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 23 And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 23 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Delight in the Bible
Psalms 37:4. “Delight thyself also in the LORD: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.”
Psalms 37:23. “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.”
Psalms 40:8. “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.”
Psalms 94:19. “In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul.”
Proverbs 3:11-12. “My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: 12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.”
Proverbs 12:22. “Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.”
Rejoicing in the Bible
Psalms 13:5-6. “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation. 6 I will sing unto the LORD, because he hath dealt bountifully with me.”
Psalms 71:23. “My lips shall greatly rejoice when I sing unto thee; and my soul, which thou hast redeemed.”
Psalms 118:24. “This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”
Proverbs 23:15. “My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.”
Proverbs 23:24. “The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him.”
Zephaniah 3:17. “The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.”
Luke 10:20. “Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.”
Philippians 4:4. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
Romans 12:10-15. “Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18. “Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Final Thoughts
As believers indwelled by the Holy Spirit we can rejoice in good times and bad (1 Thessalonians 5:16). We can delight in the Lord even when our life, at the moment, does not seem so delightful (Psalms 37:4). We can have a merry heart, and we can have unspeakable joy that lasts (Isaiah 9:3; 2 Corinthians 9:15; 1 Peter 1:8-9). We can choose joy! Meditating upon verses and passages about what the Bible has to say about joy is the best way to be reminded of how blessed we are.
(1) “Websters Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Joy.” n.d. Websters Dictionary 1828. https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/joy.
(2])“Websters Dictionary 1828 – Webster’s Dictionary 1828 – Happiness.” 2024. Websters Dictionary 1828. 2024. https://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/happiness.
