What Does the Bible Say About Zeal?

1. #1Romans 12:11

   Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;

   BSBDo not let your zeal subside; keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

2. #2Revelation 3:19

   As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

   BSBThose I love, I rebuke and discipline. Therefore be earnest and repent.

3. #3Titus 2:14

   Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

   BSBHe gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.

4. #4Romans 10:2

   For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.

   BSBFor I testify about them that they are zealous for God, but not on the basis of knowledge.

5. #5John 2:17

   And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

   BSBHis disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for Your house will consume Me.”

6. #6Isaiah 59:17

   For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.

   BSBHe put on righteousness like a breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on His head; He put on garments of vengeance and wrapped Himself in a cloak of zeal.

7. #7Psalms 119:139

   My zeal hath consumed me, because mine enemies have forgotten thy words.

   BSBMy zeal has consumed me because my foes forget Your words.

8. #8Psalms 69:9

   For the zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the reproaches of them that reproached thee are fallen upon me.

   BSBbecause zeal for Your house has consumed me, and the insults of those who insult You have fallen on me.

9. #9Galatians 4:18

   But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.

   BSBNevertheless, it is good to be zealous if it serves a noble purpose—at any time, and not only when I am with you.

10. #102 Kings 10:16

    And he said, Come with me, and see my zeal for the Lord. So they made him ride in his chariot.

    BSBsaying, “Come with me and see my zeal for the LORD!” So he had him ride in his chariot.

11. #11Colossians 4:13

    For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis.

    BSBFor I testify about him that he goes to great pains for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.

12. #122 Corinthians 7:11

    For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.

    BSBConsider what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what zeal, what vindication! In every way you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

13. #13Acts 21:20

    And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

    BSBWhen they heard this, they glorified God. Then they said to Paul, “You see, brother, how many thousands of Jews have believed, and all of them are zealous for the law.

14. #142 Corinthians 9:2

    For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many.

    BSBFor I know your eagerness to help, and I have been boasting to the Macedonians that since last year you in Achaia were prepared to give. And your zeal has stirred most of them to do likewise.

15. #151 Corinthians 14:12

    Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.

    BSBIt is the same with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, strive to excel in gifts that build up the church.

Verse rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY). Scripture: KJV & BSB (public domain).

Zeal in Torrey's Topical Textbook