Zeal

Hastings' Dictionary of the New Testament

Zeal is always in the NT the translationof the same word, ζῆλος, ζηλωτής, and always in a good sense; the bad sense is translated by ‘envy’. As a desirable quality in the Christian, the word is almost peculiar to St. Paul’s letters and speeches. Its contemporary use was chiefly in a bad sense; it stood for envy, and as a proper noun it furnished the party name that covered a very pernicious patriotism (Ζηλωταί). St. Paul converted the word, as he converted the quality in himself, kept its force, and rightly directed its aim. (Cf. the redemption of the word ‘enthusiasm’ in the last century.)

1. Zeal of God for man. -Both OT and NT insist on the zeal of God for man, the direct opposite of the Epicurean idea. ‘The zeal of the Lord of Hosts’ ( 2 Kings 19:31,  Isaiah 37:32) is for man’s love, man’s righteousness, for man to be sensible with himself and regard his own permanent interests ( Deuteronomy 30:20), and make it possible for God to continue His abundant liberality ( Psalms 81:13-16); for the welfare and vigour of the Chosen People, the hope of mankind; at least a working remnant shall be preserved. Men may appeal to the zeal by intercession ( Isaiah 33:15). God’s ‘jealousy’ is love demanding love, not satisfied with toleration or occasional faithfulness. To remember God’s zeal frees His ever-presence from all savour of spying (Psalms 139), and His commandments from the nature of arbitrary exactions ( Deuteronomy 32:47,  Ezekiel 18:23). In the NT God’s zeal for man is the motive of the Incarnation ( John 3:16), and is set forth in parables, such as the Lost Sheep and the Wicked Husbandman. God’s zeal is burning love in action through boundless sacrifice.

2. Zeal for God in man. -Zeal for God in man is commanded and commended-even consuming zeal ( Psalms 69:9, approved by being quoted of the Christian’s zeal,  John 2:17). Language of strong reproof is addressed to the sluggard about his own character, the lukewarm in works of love, to those neither hot nor cold ( Revelation 3:15,  1 Corinthians 14:12). Such faith cannot save ( James 2:14-18). Christians are to be ‘a peculiar people, zealous of good works’ ( Titus 2:14), ‘not weary in well-doing’ ( Galatians 6:9), with zeal making light of hardship, like a soldier’s ( 2 Timothy 2:3). Phinehas received a reward as ‘zealous for his God’ ( Numbers 25:13). Elijah, out of zeal for God’s honour as much as fear, could not remain among a people whose daily life was blasphemous against Him. 1 Cor. is filled with practical solutions needed by Christian zeal if it was not to drive men out of the world, where the most ordinary customs had heathen significance. How far may the zealot for a higher morality and a purer religion seem to compromise with such? May he dine with his heathen relatives? marry them? divorce them if already married? Can slaves continue to serve heathen masters? Also the Christian must have zeal for his own character, develop all his talents for usefulness, have an ambitious morality, and not allow wealth ( Matthew 19:21) or even natural claims ( Matthew 10:37) to hinder consecration to God.

3. Perversion of zeal. -The acquisition in all languages of a bad meaning by words originally denoting true zeal is evidence of universal experience that zeal is liable to dangerous perversion. This occurs through (i.) impatience at God’s patience, (ii.) over-devotion to an object subsidiary to the highest, (iii.) intrusion of feelings for self. From (i.) comes the depression which breaks out in the opening verses of so many Psalms (cf. Psalms 22; note the triumphant assurance and renewed zeal of its close). The despair of Elijah is replaced by the calmer zeal of Elisha, ever mindful of the invisible forces at work for good ( 2 Kings 6:16). Zeal is not the same as haste for results ( Isaiah 28:16). The latter when powerless leads to depression, when powerful to persecution ( 2 Kings 10:16,  2 Samuel 21:2). (ii.) The Pharisees had a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. The over-exaltation of legal observance and of national independence led them to the axiom that Jesus was a foe, to be consistently opposed whatever He said or did, and to be silenced some way or other ( John 11:47-50). Their zeal thus leads almost to blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, and to the Crucifixion. From (iii.) come spiritual conceit, the idea that we have ‘whereof to glory’ ( Romans 4:2) even toward God; the showy religionism of the Pharisees ( Matthew 23:5); the love ‘to have the pre-eminence’ ( 3 John 1:9), and that envy which is ‘the rottenness of the bones’ ( Proverbs 14:30). It is also a basal motive of σχίσματα, zealous preference for a truth, leading to the abandonment of a society in which satisfactory prominence is not given to this special object of enthusiasm.

4. Zeal in man against God. -There is a final perversion of zeal possible, the zeal in man against God. Compare the fierce activity and watchfulness of Judas with the sluggishness of the most zealous apostle, Peter.

Stacy Waddy.

Watson's Biblical & Theological Dictionary

The original word, in its primary signification, means heat; such as the heat of boiling water. When it is figuratively applied to the mind, it means any warm emotion or affection. Sometimes it is taken for envy: so we render it,  Acts 5:17 , where we read, "The high priest, and all that were with him, were filled with envy," επλησθησαν ζηλου : although it might as well be rendered, "were filled with zeal." Sometimes it is taken for anger and indignation; sometimes, for vehement desire. And when any of our passions are strongly moved on a religious account, whether for any thing good, or against any thing which we conceive to be evil, this we term religious zeal. But it is not all that is called religious zeal which is worthy of that name. It is not properly religious or Christian zeal, if it be not joined with charity. A fine writer (Bishop Sprat) carries the matter farther still. "It has been affirmed," says he, "no zeal is right, which is not charitable, but is mostly so. Charity, or love, is not only one ingredient, but the chief ingredient, in its composition." May we not go farther still? May we not say, that true zeal is not mostly charitable, but wholly so? that is, if we take charity, in St. Paul's sense, for love; the love of God and our neighbour.

For it is a certain truth, although little understood in the world, that Christian zeal is all love. It is nothing else. The love of God and man fills up its whole nature. Yet it is not every degree of that love to which this appellation is given. There may be some love, a small degree of it, where there is no zeal. But it is, properly, love in a higher degree. It is fervent love. True Christian zeal is no other than the flame of love. This is the nature, the inmost essence of it. Phinehas is commended for having expressed much zeal against those wicked persons that violated the law of the Lord,  Numbers 25:11;  Numbers 25:13; and in  Psalms 69:9 , the psalmist says, "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up;" my earnest desire to have all things duly ordered about thy worship, and my just displeasure and indignation at all abuses in it, have wasted my natural moisture and vital spirits.

Charles Buck Theological Dictionary

A passionate ardour for any person or cause. There are various kinds of zeal; as,

1. An ignorant zeal,  Romans 10:2;  Romans 3:1-31 :

2. A persecuting zeal,  Philippians 3:6 .

3. A superstitious zeal,  1 Kings 18:1-46 :   Galatians 1:14 .

4. An hypocritical zeal,  2 Kings 10:16 .

5. A contentious zeal,  1 Corinthians 11:16 .

6. A partial zeal,  Hosea 7:8 .

7. A temporary zeal,  2 Kings 12:1-21;  2 Kings 13:1-25 :   Galatians 4:15-16 .

8. a genuine zeal, which is a sincere and warm concern for the glory of God, and the spiritual welfare of mankind. This is generally compounded of sound knowledge, strong faith, and disinterested regard; and will manifest itself by self-denial, patient endurance, and constant exertion.

The motives to true zeal are,

1. The divine command,  Revelation 3:19 .

2. The example of Christ,  Acts 10:38 .

3. The importance of the service of Christ.

4. The advantage and pleasure it brings to the possessor.

5. The instances and honourable commendation of it in the Scriptures: Moses, Phineas, Caleb, David, Paul, &c.  Galatians 4:18 .  Revelation 3:15 , &c.  Titus 2:14 .

6. The incalculable good effects it produces on others,  James 5:20 .

See Reynolds and Orton on Sacred Zeal; Evan's Christian Temper, ser. 37; Hughes's Sermon on Zeal; Mason's Christ. Mor. ser. 28.

Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words

1: Ζῆλος (Strong'S #2205 — Noun — zelos — dzay'-los )

denotes "zeal" in the following passages:  John 2:17 , with objective genitive, i.e., "zeal for Thine house;" so in  Romans 10:2 , "a zeal for God;" in  2—Corinthians 7:7 , RV, "(your) zeal (for me)," AV, "(your) fervent mind (toward me);" used absolutely in  2—Corinthians 7:11;  9:2;  Philippians 3:6 (in   Colossians 4:13 in some texts; the best have ponos, "labor," RV). See Envy , Note, Fervent , C, Note (2), Indignation , A, Note (3), Jealousy.

Charles Spurgeon's Illustration Collection

Humboldt, in his travels, observes, 'It seems remarkable that in the hottest as well as the coldest climates, people display the same predilection for heat. On the introduction of Christianity into Iceland, the inhabitants would be baptised only in the hot springs of Hecla; and in the torrid zone, in the plains as well as on the Cordilleras, the natives flock from all parts to the thermal waters.' The fact is not less noteworthy that men love spiritual warmth. Cold truth, even cold gospel truth, is never attractive. Ministers must be fervent, their spirit earnest, and their style energetic, or the many will not resort to them. Religion is a dish to be served hot; when it once becomes lukewarm it is sickening. Our baptism must be with the Holy Ghost and with fire if we would win the masses to hear the gospel.

Hawker's Poor Man's Concordance And Dictionary

We can have no lively idea of this word, but as it is made use of by the Lord Jesus Christ. But when we hear that blessed Holy One, by the spirit of prophecy, crying out, "the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up." ( Psalms 69:9) And when we behold in confirmation of it, such a miracle as scourging from the temple the multitude of those who performed it—a miracle, properly considered, almost as great as any Christ performed on earth; such a view of Jesus may, but nothing else can, give a lively idea of zeal! ( John 2:13-17)

Easton's Bible Dictionary

 Numbers 25:11-13 2 7:11 9:2 Romans 10:2 Philippians 3:6 Galatians 4:18 2 Kings 19:31 Isaiah 9:7 37:32 Ezekiel 5:13

King James Dictionary

ZEAL, n. Gr., L. Passionate ardor in the pursuit of any thing. In general, zeal is an eagerness of desire to accomplish or obtain some object, and it may be manifested either in favor of any person or thing, or in opposition to it, and in a good or bad cause.

Zeal, the blind conductor of the will.

They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  Romans 10 .

A zeal for liberty is sometimes an eagerness to subvert, with little care what shall be established.

Webster's Dictionary

(1): ( v. i.) To be zealous.

(2): ( n.) Passionate ardor in the pursuit of anything; eagerness in favor of a person or cause; ardent and active interest; engagedness; enthusiasm; fervor.

(3): ( n.) A zealot.

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

a passionate ardor for any person or cause. The word in Hebrew is, קנְאָה Kinah , from קָנָא , Kanah, "to flush" with passion.The Sept. usually renders it by Ζῆλος (the New Test. term), which is derived from Ζέω , "to be hot." Thus we say, "a fiery zeal." The psalmist says ( Psalms 69:9), "The zeal of thine house hath eaten me," or consumed me like fire (see Bauer, De Messiae Zelo pro Domo Dei, Viteb. 1744). Zeal is an earnestness arising either from good or evil motives ( 2 Samuel 21:2;  1 Corinthians 14:12;  Colossians 4:13). Thus Phinehas was commended because he was zealous for Jehovah ( Numbers 25:11-13); but Jehu, when he slew the priests of Baal and the family of Ahab, was zealous in order to gain public applause, ( 2 Kings 10:16-31). Zeal may be misdirected, or it may be honorable ( Philippians 3:6;  Galatians 4:17-18;  Titus 2:14;  Psalms 69:9;  John 2:17). Zeal is attributed in Scripture to God as well as to man ( 2 Kings 19:31;  Isaiah 9:7;  Ezekiel 5:13). There are a various kinds of zeal, as

(1) an ignorant zeal ( Romans 10:2-3);

(2) a persecuting zeal ( Philippians 3:6);

(3) a superstitious zeal (1 Kings 18;  Galatians 1:14);

(4) a hypocritical zeal ( 2 Kings 10:16);

(5) a contentious zeal ( 1 Corinthians 11:16);

(6) a partial zeal ( Hosea 7:8);

(7) a temporary zeal ( 2 Kings 12:13;  Galatians 4:15);

(8) a genuine zeal, which is a sincere and warm concern for the glory of God, and the spiritual welfare of mankind ( Galatians 4:18;  Revelation 3:19). This last is generally compounded of sound knowledge, strong faith, and disinterested regard; and will manifest itself by self-denial, patient endurance, and constant exertion.

The motives to true zeal are

(1) the divine command ( Revelation 3:19);

(2) the example of Christ and the end of his death ( John 2:17;  Acts 10:38;  Titus 2:14);

(3) the importance of his service;

(4) the advantage and pleasure it brings to the possessor;

(5) the instances and honorable commendation of it in the Scriptures: Moses, Phineas, Caleb, David, Paul, etc. ( Galatians 4:18;  Revelation 3:15, etc.); (6) the incalculable good effects it produces on others ( James 5:20). See Reynolds and Orton On Sacred Zeal; Massillon, Charges; Evans, Christian Temper, sermon 37; Hughes, Channing, and Chapin, Sermon on Zeal; Mason, Christ. Mor. sermon 28; Natural History of Enthusiasm. (See Faith); (See Fanaticism); (See Jealousy),