The ninth work of the flesh on Paul's list is emulation. This word is found twice in the New Testament. The first verse where this term is used is in Romans 11:14, which states "If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them". The second time is when the Apostle Paul uses it in Galatians 5:20 as a work of the flesh.
Our modern dictionary defines this term as an "effort to match or surpass a person or achievement, typically by imitation". Our modern usage more closely resembles emulation found in Romans 11:14. In this verse, the Greek word "parazeloo" is used. Parazeloo means to inspire. In 1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul said "be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ". Why? Because the Gospel for the Church Age was given to Paul (Rom. 10:9-10, 1 Cor. 15:1-4). In Romans 11:14, he is saying that he wants to inspire them to walk with Jesus. When we imitate the Apostle Paul, we are witnessing to the lost. We are displaying the fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23). He lived peacefully with others and always worked for food and lodging while witnessing to an area (2 Thess. 3:7-10). Paul also told us to "study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). Parazeloo is a good thing.
The other usage of emulation is the Greek word "zelos". Zelos is where we get our word "zeal" from. In the Greek, this term means to be moved with envy or jealousy. In the book of Acts, this term is used when Stephen is speaking to the Pharisees. Stephen said "and the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him..." (Acts 7:9). This term is also used in Acts 13:45, Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 12:20, and James 3:14 and 16 as the word "envy".
In Galatians 5:20, Paul is stating that we should not be envious or jealous people.
Next work of the flesh: wrath