Glossary
Reverend John W. Morris, Ph.D
Zeal
This Bible glossary defines 'zeal' as devotion, and enthusiastic obedience to God. (810). This is a quality of divine diligence or fervor. (US English as opposed to fervour and Canadian English) (810). Christian believers are called to follow the Lord with enthusiasm and zeal, but not with misguided enthusiasm. (810). This preferred zeal is via divine, not human knowledge (Romans 10: 2). (810).
Romans 10:2-3 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God.
Bible Hub: Romans 10: 2
αὐτοῖς ὅτι ζῆλον θεοῦ ἔχουσιν
(to them) (that) (a zeal) (of God)
to them that have a zeal of/for God.
ζῆλον is a noun, accusative, masculine, singular in Romans 10: 2.
Bible Hub: Root word and New Testament examples
Original Word: ζῆλος, ου, ὁ
This divine zeal, unlike human zeal, has God's righteousness in Jesus Christ, states the Orthodox Study Bible at Romans 10: 3. (362).
In the context of Romans 10: 2, Jon Courson states that 'To this day, the Jews are zealous for God'. (958). But, theologically and respectfully to Judaism, this is works righteousness based on keeping the law, and not the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ to the chosen (Romans 8-9, Ephesians 1), by grace through faith (Romans, Galatians 2, Ephesians 1-2).
(I will admit that there is faith in Judaism of course, but works righteousness still exists. There are many religious faiths and non-religious worldviews with good morality and ethics.)
Within my classically, biblically inspired, Reformed theology, this divine righteousness (Romans, Galatians as textual examples) is imputed and applied to believers as legal and theological, justification, within the atonement.
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Related
According to Nelson's, Zealotes/Zealot (s) in the historical context was defined as a 'zealous one'. (807). These were a party of Jews violently opposed to the Roman Empire and its occupation of Israel. (807). Noted to be from the 1st Century, in context.
To be zealous is to be full of zeal. (Oxford: 1629). In modern times, and to this day, a zealot (zealots) can be considered someone that is 'an uncompromising or extreme partisan; a fanatic.' (1629). Often used in political contexts for those that are very pro-Israel.
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COURSON, JON (2005) Application Commentary, Thomas Nelson, Nashville.
MARSHALL, ALFRED (1975)(1996) The Interlinear KJV-NIV, Grand Rapids, Zondervan.
NELSON'S THREE-IN-ONE BIBLE REFERENCE COMPANION, 'Zealous' (1982), Nashville, Thomas Nelson Publishers.
THE CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY (1995) ‘Sceptical’, Della Thompson (ed.), Oxford, Clarendon Press.
The Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, (1993) Saint Athanasius Orthodox Academy, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
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