ζῆλοςzēlos
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)
Greek (New Testament) · G2205
Meanings
1. zeal: 2 Corinthians 7:11, 2 Corinthians 9:2; κατὰ ζῆλος, Philippians 3:6; with genitive object, John 2:17(LXX), Romans 10:2; followed by ὑπέρ, 2 Corinthians 7:7; with genitive subj., θεοῦ, 2 Corinthians 11:2; πυρός, Hebrews 10:27 (cf. Isaiah 26:11, Wisdom 5:18, and cf. Westc., in l.).
2. jealousy: Romans 13:13, 1 Corinthians 3:3, 2 Corinthians 12:20, Galatians 5:20, James 3:14, James 3:16; πλησθῆναι ζήλου Acts 5:17, Acts 13:45; plural, ζῆλοι (see B1., § 32, 6), Galatians 5:20, WH, margin
Same root
Where it appears
Appears 16 times in the Bible.
- John 2:17 Then his disciples remembered this prophecy from the Scriptures: “Passion for God’s house will consume me.”
- Acts 5:17 The high priest and his officials, who were Sadducees, were filled with jealousy.
- Acts 13:45 But when some of the Jews saw the crowds, they were jealous; so they slandered Paul and argued against whatever he said.
- Romans 10:2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal.
- Romans 13:13 Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.
- 1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still controlled by your sinful nature. You are jealous of one another and quarrel with each other. Doesn’t that prove you are controlled by your sinful nature? Aren’t you living like people of the world?
Source: G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), public domain.