Articles
Zealous or Jealous
“ZEALOUS OR JEALOUS”
The Greek word “zelos” is defined ZEAL in Psalm 69:9; Both John 2:17 (“Zeal for thine house hath consumed me”) and Romans 10:2 (Zeal for God”) et. al. denote an earnest desire in a positive sense. The very same Greek word, zelos, is rendered JEALOUSY in Romans 13:13, and envying, jealousies, and emulations, in Galatians. Confusing? Imagine how Paul felt in Athens when he confronted the philosophers and strangers on Mars Hill. Paul claimed they were too superstitious having “gods” for all occasions.
Today, we are confronted with much the same dilemma. Zealous individuals outside of Christ try to prevail upon our understanding of the Truth through much arguing, spectacular display, and coming up “with some new thing.” Sad to say, but over the years some in the Church have allegedly found grounds to challenge the leadership or preachers, crying “hypocrisy,” trying to seduce followers to acknowledge them. Congregations have been destroyed by such conduct. This lesson is written due to having seen much of this type of tribulation over the years.
Plainfield Church of Christ must retain its zeal and grow therein. There is no room for jealousy. Paul tells us that envying/jealousy is of the world of men, not God (I Corinthians 3:3) and is a work of the flesh (Galatians 5:20) and further, that they that do such things shall not
inherit the Kingdom of God.
A closing note: LOVE is not jealous (I Corinthians 13:4); is not in strife and jealousy (Romans 13:13)
