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Can you explain Zeal?


Introduction. For all practical purposes, there is one word translated zeal in the Greek New Testament. Zelos (zeal) is generally defined as, ""excitement of mind, ardor, fever of spirit" (Thayer's Greek-English Lexicon, reference to LXX).

Zeal is simply fervor that can be expressed in difference ways. Zeal is "desire to have" (Jas. 4: 2, zeloo, the verb form). When Peter and John refused to obey the sinful command of the Sanhedrin, the Sanhedrin experienced "indignation" (Acts 5: 17, zelos or zeal). The unbelieving Jews were filled with "envy" (Acts 13: 45, Greek zelos). We read of zeal for the Law of Moses and the traditions of the Jews (Acts 21: 20, Gal. 1: 14).

Zeal without knowledge can be dangerous. While it is good to have zeal in a justified endeavor (Gal. 4: 18), zeal without knowledge to guide can be worse than the absence of zeal. The Jews had a "zeal of God, but not according to knowledge" (Rom. 10: 2). As a result, they went about to "establish their own righteousness" and in so doing "have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God" (Rom. 10: 3). The happy combination is zeal and knowledge, zeal motivates and knowledge governs. The false teachers in Galatia had zeal, Paul said, but no knowledge. He wrote, "They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude you, that ye might affect them" (Gal. 4: 17).

Zeal is required for the Christian. Zeal is needed to promote repentance (Rev. 3: 19). Paul penned, "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Tit. 2: 14). Just as knowledge guides zeal, the presence of love will not allow impure "zeal" (fervor) to be produced. The scriptures teach, "Love suffereth long, and is kind; love envieth not..." (1 Cor. 13: 4, "envieth" is from zeloo). Let us make sure our zeal is spent in doing God's will (Col. 3: 23, 24).
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