Lexical Summary
zelos: Zeal, jealousy, ardor, fervor
Original Word: ζῆλος
Part of Speech: Noun, Masculine; Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: zelos
Pronunciation: ZAY-los
Phonetic Spelling: (dzay'-los)
KJV: emulation, envy(-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal
Word Origin: [from G2204 (ζέω - being fervent)]
1. (properly) heat
2. (figuratively) "zeal"
3. (favorably) ardor
4. (unfavorably, of a husband) jealousy (also used of God)
5. (of an enemy) malice
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
emulation, jealousy, zeal.
From zeo; properly, heat, i.e. (figuratively) "zeal" (in a favorable sense, ardor; in an unfavorable one, jealousy, as of a husband (figuratively, of God), or an enemy, malice) -- emulation, envy(-ing), fervent mind, indignation, jealousy, zeal.
see GREEK zeo
HELPS Word-studies
2205 zḗlos (an omamopoeic term that mimics the sound of water bubbling over from heat and perhaps derived from 2204 /zéō, "to boil") – properly, burning emotion (inner feeling boiling over, "boiling from heat," J. Thayer); (figuratively) something very fervent ("red-hot") as with Spirit-fueled zeal to serve the Lord. This root (zē-) is used both negatively ("jealousy") and positively ("zeal") depending on the context.
[The root (zē-, "zeal") literally means "hot enough to boil." It is metaphorically used of "burning anger, love, zeal" (A-S) – i.e. to burn (in spirit). It can refer to "boiling anger, love, zeal, for what is good or bad" (J. Thayer).]
Thayer's Greek Lexicon
STRONGS NT 2205: ζῆλοςζῆλος,
ζήλου,
ὁ, and (in
Philippians 3:6 L T Tr WH; (
2 Corinthians 9:2 T Tr WH))
τό ζῆλος (
Ignatius ad Trall. 4 [ET];
διά ζῆλος,
Clement of Rome, 1 Cor. 4, 8 [ET] ("in Clement of Rome, §§ 3, 4, 5, 6 the masculine and neuter seem to be interchanged without any law" (
Lightfoot). For facts see especially Clement of Rome, edition 2 Hilgenfeld (1876), p. 7; cf. Wit. Appendix, p. 158;
Winers Grammar, § 9, N. 2;
Buttmann, 23 (20)); (from
ζέω (
Curtius, § 567;
Vanicek, p. 757)); the
Sept. for
קִנְאָה;
excitement of mind, ardor, fervor of spirit;
1. zeal, ardor in embracing, pursuing, defending anything: 2 Corinthians 12:11; 2 Corinthians 9:2; κατά ζῆλος, as respects zeal (in maintaining religion), Philippians 3:6; with the genitive of the object, zeal in behalf of, for a person or thing, John 2:17 from Psalm 68:10
2. an envious and contentious rivalry, jealousy: Romans 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; James 3:14, 16; ἐπλήσθησαν ζήλου, Acts 5:17; Acts 13:45; plural ζῆλοι, now the stirrings or motions of ζῆλος, now its outbursts and manifestations: 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; but in both passages L T Tr (WH, yet in Galatians, the passage cited WH only in text) have adopted ζῆλος (ζῆλοι τέ καί φθόνοι, Plato, legg. 3, p. 679 c.). (On the distinction between ζῆλος (which may be used in a good sense) and φθόνος (used only in a bad sense) cf. Trench, Synonyms, § xxvi.; Cope on Aristotle, rhet. 2, 11,
Topical Lexicon
Semantic Range and Conceptual Overview Strong’s Greek 2205 (zēlos) gathers into one term two opposite passions: fervent devotion and corrosive envy. Context alone reveals whether the writer has honorable “zeal” or sinful “jealousy” in view, yet both ideas share a common core—the heart’s intense heat toward a person, cause, or possession.
Holy Zeal—A Fire for God’s Glory
• John 2:17 records the disciples’ recollection of Psalm 69:9 as Jesus cleansed the temple: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me”. Here zēlos describes pure, self-sacrificing passion that defends God’s honor.
• Paul embraces the same impulse when protecting the Corinthian believers from false apostles: “I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy” (2 Corinthians 11:2). The apostle’s pastoral love mirrors the exclusivity the LORD demands of His covenant people (Exodus 34:14).
• In Romans 10:2 Paul testifies of Israel: “They are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.” Zeal, though earnest, must be governed by revealed truth or it mutates into misguided works-righteousness, as formerly exemplified in Paul himself—“as to zeal, persecuting the church” (Philippians 3:6).
• 2 Corinthians 7 twice commends the Corinthians’ godly response to discipline: their “zeal” produced earnest repentance (verses 7, 11). Genuine revival is inseparable from renewed zeal for holiness.
• The Macedonian church’s readiness to give stirred wider generosity: “Your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise” (2 Corinthians 9:2). Spirit-breathed zeal multiplies good works across the body of Christ.
Sinful Jealousy—The Rot of Self-Centered Desire
• Jealous rivalry fractured the Corinthian fellowship: “For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not worldly?” (1 Corinthians 3:3).
• James exposes the root: “If you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth” (James 3:14). Such jealousy breeds “disorder and every evil practice” (James 3:16).
• Works of the flesh list zēlos alongside idolatry and witchcraft (Galatians 5:20), underscoring its destructive power when uncrucified by the Spirit.
• Religious leaders opposed the gospel “filled with jealousy” (Acts 5:17; Acts 13:45), illustrating how envy resists the advance of Christ’s kingdom.
• Hebrews 10:27 warns apostates of “a raging fire that will consume the enemies of God,” using zēlos metaphorically for divine wrath—a sobering reversal: the jealous God repays jealous men.
Old Testament Backdrop—The LORD’s Covenant Jealousy
The Septuagint frequently employs zēlos for God’s qinʾâ, a righteous jealousy guarding exclusive worship (Deuteronomy 4:24). New-Testament writers draw on this heritage, portraying holy zeal as a reflection of God’s own character while condemning envy that challenges His supremacy.
Historical Note: The Zealot Party
First-century “Zealots” (derived from zēlōtēs, cognate of zēlos) blended patriotic fervor with messianic expectation, seeking liberation from Rome. While not mentioned here, the movement’s name shows how the root idea of passionate ardor permeated Jewish culture—sometimes to violent extremes that contrast with Christ’s kingdom ethics.
Pastoral Implications
1. Cultivate informed zeal through Scripture and prayer (Romans 10:2).
2. Guard corporate unity by mortifying jealousy (1 Corinthians 3:3).
3. Channel zeal into service—evangelism, generosity, and holiness (2 Corinthians 9:2; Titus 2:14).
4. Imitate Christ, whose consuming zeal fulfilled the Father’s will at cost of His own life (John 2:17).
Summary of New Testament Distribution
Positive zeal: John 2:17; Romans 10:2; 2 Corinthians 7:7, 7:11, 9:2, 11:2; Philippians 3:6.
Negative jealousy: Acts 5:17; Acts 13:45; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; Galatians 5:20; James 3:14, 3:16; Hebrews 10:27; Romans 13:13 (mixed context).
The believer is therefore called to burn with the fervor of Christ, yet crucify every trace of envy that would set self on the throne.
Forms and Transliterations
ζήλοι ζηλον ζηλόν ζήλον ζήλόν ζῆλον ζηλος ζηλός ζήλος ζήλός ζῆλος ζηλοτυπίας ζηλου ζήλου ζηλω ζηλώ ζήλω ζήλῳ zelo zēlō zḗloi zḗlōi zelon zêlon zēlon zē̂lon zelos zêlos zēlos zē̂los zelou zēlou zḗlou
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