Lexical Summary zéloó: To be zealous, to be jealous, to desire earnestly Original Word: ζηλόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance covet earnestlyFrom zelos; to have warmth of feeling for or against -- affect, covet (earnestly), (have) desire, (move with) envy, be jealous over, (be) zealous(-ly affect). see GREEK zelos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 2206 zēlóō (an onomatopoetic word, imitating the sound of boiling water) – properly, to bubble over because so hot (boiling); (figuratively) "to burn with zeal" (J. Thayer); "to be deeply committed to something, with the implication of accompanying desire – 'to be earnest, to set one's heart on, to be completely intent upon' " (L & N, 1, 25.76). See 2205 (zēlos). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom zélos Definition to be jealous NASB Translation am jealous (1), becoming jealous (1), desire earnestly (2), eagerly seek (1), eagerly sought (1), earnestly desire (1), envious (1), jealous (2), seek (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 2206: ζηλεύωζηλεύω; equivalent to ζηλόω, which see; 1. to envy, be jealous: Simplicius in Epictetus c. 26, p. 131, Salinas edition. (c. 19, 2, p. 56, 34 Didot) οὐδείς τῶν τ' ἀγαθόν τό ἀνθρώπινον ζητούντων φθονει ἤ ζηλευει πότε. 2. in a good sense, to imitate emulously, strive after: ἔργα ἀρετῆς, οὐ λόγους, Demosthenes quoted in Stab. flor. app. 14, 7, iv. 384, Gaisf. edition; intransitive, to be full of zeal for good, be zealous: Revelation 3:19 L T Tr text WH, for Rec. ζήλωσον (cf. WH's Appendix, p. 171). STRONGS NT 2206: ζηλόωζηλόω, ζήλῳ; 1 aorist ἐζήλωσα; present passive infinitive ζηλοῦσθαι; (ζῆλος, which see); the Sept. for קִנֵּא; to burn with zeal; 1. absolutely, to be heated or to boil (A. V. to be moved) with envy, hatred, anger: Acts 7:9; Acts 17:5 (where Griesbach omits ζηλώσαντες); 1 Corinthians 13:4; James 4:2; in a good sense, to be zealous in the pursuit of good, Revelation 3:19 R G Tr marginal reading (the aorist ζήλωσον marks the entrance into the mental state, see βασιλεύω, at the end; ἐζηλωσε, he was seized with indignation, 1 Macc. 2:24). 2. transitive, τί, to desire earnestly, pursue: 1 Corinthians 12:31; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 39, (Sir. 51:18; Thucydides 2, 37; Euripides, Hec. 255; Demosthenes 500, 2; others); μᾶλλον δέ, namely, ζηλοῦτε, followed by ἵνα, 1 Corinthians 14:1 (Buttmann, 237 (205); cf. Winer's Grammar, 577 (537)). τινα, a. to desire one earnestly, to strive after, busy oneself about him: to exert oneself for one (that he may not be torn from me), 2 Corinthians 11:2; to seek to draw over to one's side, Galatians 4:17 (cf. ἵνα, II. 1 d.); to court one's good will and favor, Proverbs 23:17; Proverbs 24:1; Psalm 36:1 b. to envy one: Genesis 26:14; Genesis 30:1; Genesis 37:11; Hesiod app. 310; Homer Cer. 168, 223; and in the same sense, according to some interpretations, in Acts 7:9; but there is no objection to considering ζηλώσαντες here as used absolutely (see 1 above (so A. V. (not R. V.))) and τόν Ἰωσήφ as depending on the verb ἀπέδοντο alone. (Compare: παραζηλόω.) The verb carries two poles of meaning: (1) commendable zeal, earnest desire, or protective jealousy that safeguards covenant loyalty, and (2) sinful envy that begrudges another’s advantages. Context determines the moral value, yet in every case the word portrays a strong inner fire that moves a person either toward wholehearted devotion or toward hostile rivalry. God’s Covenant Jealousy Reflected in Apostolic Ministry Paul appropriates the term in 2 Corinthians 11:2: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy”. His burning concern echoes the Old Testament picture of the LORD whose jealousy defends the exclusive relationship with His people. Paul’s pastoral jealousy guards the Corinthian church from “another Jesus” or a “different gospel” (2 Corinthians 11:4). Far from petty possessiveness, this jealousy preserves the Bride for her one Husband. Ministry that carries this holy jealousy prizes doctrinal purity, moral faithfulness, and affection undividedly fixed on Christ. Human Envy that Resists the Gospel The same inner fire, diverted toward self-interest, fuels persecution. “Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him” (Acts 7:9). Jealousy hardens again in Acts 17:5 where unbelieving Jews, threatened by Paul’s success, incite a mob in Thessalonica. James 4:2 exposes the same root within church conflicts: “You crave what you do not have; you kill and covet.” Such passages warn that unchecked envy is not merely a social flaw; it is an antievangelistic force that can fracture families, churches, and mission fields. Call to Zealous Repentance The ascended Christ addresses lukewarm Laodicea: “Those I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent” (Revelation 3:19). The verb urges a decisive change from apathetic self-sufficiency to fervent repentance. The remedy for spiritual tepidity is not moderate improvement but blazing zeal born of renewed love for the Lord. Zeal in the Exercise of Spiritual Gifts Three times in 1 Corinthians 12–14 Paul commands the verb in the imperative: Here zeal is neither selfish nor competitive; it is a Spirit-given longing to edify the body. Love disciplines the desire so that gifts serve corporate maturity rather than personal display. Genuine charismata flourish where holy jealousy for God’s glory subdues fleshly ambition. Pastoral Warnings about Misplaced Zeal In Galatians 4:17–18 Paul dissects manipulative teachers: “Those people are zealous for you, but not for your good… so that you may be zealous for them.” Zeal alone is no guarantee of truth. Shepherds must test the aim of every fervor—does it drive hearers toward Christ or toward human personalities? Righteous zeal serves others; sinful zeal seeks followers. Historical and Cultural Backdrop In the Greco-Roman world “zeal” could denote both patriotic ardor and partisan rivalry. Jewish nationalists labeled themselves “Zealots,” and philosophers commended ζηλόω as the aspiration to emulate virtuous models. The New Testament writers engage this milieu, but the gospel reshapes zeal around the crucified-and-risen Lord. The Spirit redirects fervor once focused on status, ethnicity, or philosophy into passion for holiness, witness, and mutual service. Ministry Implications • Cultivate godly jealousy: Guard the flock from doctrinal deviation and moral compromise with the same intensity a husband guards his bride. Summary Strong’s 2206 portrays an intense emotion that can either honor God or oppose Him. Scripture commends zeal that protects covenant fidelity, fuels repentance, and seeks the church’s edification, while it condemns envy that persecutes, manipulates, and quarrels. The gospel alone transforms jealous hearts into instruments of holy zeal, channeling the same inner fire that once destroyed into a passion that glorifies Christ and blesses His people. Englishman's Concordance Acts 7:9 V-APA-NMPGRK: οἱ πατριάρχαι ζηλώσαντες τὸν Ἰωσὴφ NAS: The patriarchs became jealous of Joseph KJV: the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold INT: the patriarchs having envied Joseph Acts 17:5 V-APA-NMP 1 Corinthians 12:31 V-PMA-2P 1 Corinthians 13:4 V-PIA-3S 1 Corinthians 14:1 V-PMA-2P 1 Corinthians 14:39 V-PMA-2P 2 Corinthians 11:2 V-PIA-1S Galatians 4:17 V-PIA-3P Galatians 4:17 V-PSA-2P Galatians 4:18 V-PNM/P James 4:2 V-PIA-2P Revelation 3:19 V-PMA-2S Strong's Greek 2206 |
    |