Send Close Add comments: (status displays here)
Got it!  This site "creationpie.com" uses cookies. You consent to this by clicking on "Got it!" or by continuing to use this website.  Note: This appears on each machine/browser from which this site is accessed.
Seeking damages from zealous jealousy
by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640


1. Seeking damages from zealous jealousy
Seek, zeal, damage in GreekIn Greek, the words for "seek", "zeal" and "damage" are related. The Greek "zealous" became the basis of the English word "jealous" which can be confused with the word "envy".
Here is a progression of words that developed over time in ancient Greek.

2. Redundancy
The term "zealous jealousy" is redundant, or "overly redundant and repetitive". If you like that, you would like the "worldwide global pandemic that is everywhere" (the phraseology, not the actual situation).

Information sign More: Matthew 6:7-8 Vain repetitions of vain repetitions

3. Seek and search
A "seek" is not the same as a "search".

In Greek, the word for "search" is related to "research".

Information sign More: Seeking a research way to search
In Greek, the words for "seek", "zeal" and "damage" are related.

4. Zeal
The Greek word for "zeal" went through the following historical stages. In winning at all costs, each step results in more competition, rivalry, damage, etc.

5. Goals and objects
Seek, has
Within reason, there is nothing wrong with having goals and objects. Note that a "Goal", as with an "Object", can be concrete or abstract.

6. Taken to extremes
Zeal, envy, covetA "desire" for an "object" or "goal" is not in itself bad.

However, things may go wrong.

7. Strife
The word "eristic" in reasoning means a non-valid way of reasoning. This can create what is called "strife". Such reasoning is often associated with "zealous" competition for the same goal such that bad reasoning is used to sway others to one's point of view.

Information sign More: Eristic reasoning creates strife and contention

8. Zealous or jealous
To be "zealous" or "jealous" is to have an eager rivalry with someone else for the same object or goal.

This is typically a zero-sum game in that when one side wins the other side loses. This is modeled in most sports competitions where even a tie score may result in one side winning something and the other side losing something. This is a win-lose situation.

Non-zero sum games are typical in business whereby both sides can win in what is called a win-win situation.

9. Finite resources
Zero-sum games are particularly competitive because of finite resources such as time, space, money, feelings, etc.

Information sign More: Game theory: Two player zero sum games

10. Laodicea
In Revelation, to the apostate church at Laodicea, where Jesus has to knock on the door because he is not allowed in, we have the following verse.
Verse routeRevelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. [kjv]
Verse route3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. [kjv]


11. Revelation 3:19

 All 
KJV: As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Greek: εγω οσους εαν φιλω ελεγχω και παιδευω ζηλωσον ζηλευε ουν και μετανοησον
Wycliffe: Y repreue, and chastise whom Y loue; therfor sue thou goode men, and do penaunce.
Tyndale: As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Be fervent therfore and repet.

12. Revelation 3:20

 All 
KJV: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
Greek: ιδου εστηκα επι την θυραν και κρουω εαν τις ακουση της φωνης μου και ανοιξη την θυραν εισελευσομαι προς αυτον και δειπνησω μετ αυτου και αυτος μετ εμου

13. Zealous or jealous
Let us now look at a few verses that the KJV (King James Version) translates the word for "zealous" as "jealous" or "envious", etc. For each, discuss the following question.

How does it change the meaning of the "jealous" or "envious", etc., is taken as an "eager competition" or "eager rivalry" to obtain the same object or goal in a zero-sum game - where one side wins and the other side loses (due to finite resources of that same object or goal)?

14. Latin
Many of the translations appear to be influenced by the Latin.

15. Latin zeal
In these verses, the Greek word is translated as Latin zeal.

Verse route1 Corinthians 3:3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? [kjv]
Verse routeJames 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. [kjv]


16. 1 Corinthians 3:3
 All 
KJV: For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
Greek: ετι γαρ σαρκικοι εστε οπου γαρ εν υμιν ζηλος και ερις και διχοστασιαι ουχι σαρκικοι εστε και κατα ανθρωπον περιπατειτε
Latin: cum enim sit inter vos zelus et contentio nonne carnales estis et secundum hominem ambulatis
Tyndale: For ye are yet carnall. As longe verely as ther is amoge you envyige stryfe and dissencio: are ye not carnall and walke after ye manner of me?
Luther: dieweil ihr noch fleischlich seid. Denn sintemal Eifer und Zank und Zwietracht unter euch sind, seid ihr denn nicht fleischlich und wandelt nach menschlicher Weise?

17. James 3:16
   James 3:16 
 All 
KJV: For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Greek: οπου γαρ ζηλος και εριθεια εκει ακαταστασια και παν φαυλον πραγμα
Latin: ubi enim zelus et contentio ibi inconstantia et omne opus pravum

18. Latin rivalry
In these verses, the Greek word is translated as Latin rivalry or emulation.

Verse route2 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. [kjv]
Verse routeHebrews 10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [kjv]
Verse route2 Corinthians 12:20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: [kjv]


19. 2 Corinthians 9:2
 All 
KJV: 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.
Greek: οιδα γαρ την προθυμιαν υμων ην υπερ υμων καυχωμαι μακεδοσιν οτι αχαια παρεσκευασται απο περυσι και ο εξ το υμων ζηλος ηρεθισεν τους πλειονας
Latin: scio enim promptum animum vestrum pro quo de vobis glorior apud Macedonas quoniam Achaia parata est ab anno praeterito et vestra aemulatio provocavit plurimos
Wycliffe: For Y knowe youre wille, for the which Y haue glorie of you anentis Macedonyes, for also Acaie is redi fro a yeer passid, and youre loue hath stirid ful manye.

20. Hebrews 10:27
 All 
KJV: But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
Greek: φοβερα δε τις εκδοχη κρισεως και πυρος ζηλος εσθιειν μελλοντος τους υπεναντιους
Latin: terribilis autem quaedam expectatio iudicii et ignis aemulatio quae consumptura est adversarios
Wycliffe: Forwhi sum abiding of the dom is dreedful, and the suyng of fier, which schal waste aduersaries.

21. 2 Corinthians 12:20
 All 
KJV: For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults:
Greek: φοβουμαι γαρ μηπως μη πως ελθων ουχ οιους θελω ευρω υμας καγω ευρεθω υμιν οιον ου θελετε μηπως ερεις ζηλοι μη πως ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι καταλαλιαι ψιθυρισμοι φυσιωσεις ακαταστασιαι
Latin: timeo enim ne forte cum venero non quales volo inveniam vos et ego inveniar a vobis qualem non vultis ne forte contentiones aemulationes animositates dissensiones detractiones susurrationes inflationes seditiones sint inter vos

22. Clement
Clement, in his first letter, gives many examples where he uses the Greek words for "zeal" (as eager rivalry) and "covet".

Future topic Details are left as a future topic.



Information sign More: Early Church Father: Clement

23. Zeal
The noun "zeal" will be used here for an eager rivalry and taken to be synonymous with the adjectives "zealous" and "jealous", ignoring other English meanings and connotations of "jealous".

The following verses use the Greek word for "zeal" which is sometimes translated as "jealous".

Verse routeJohn 2:17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up. [kjv]

Verse route2 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. [kjv]


24. John 2:17
   John 2:17 
 All 
KJV: And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
Greek: εμνησθησαν δε οι μαθηται αυτου οτι γεγραμμενον εστιν ο ζηλος του οικου σου κατεφαγεν καταφαγεται με
Latin: recordati vero sunt discipuli eius quia scriptum est zelus domus tuae comedit me
Wycliffe: And hise disciplis hadden mynde, for it was writun, The feruent loue of thin hous hath etun me.
Tyndale: And his disciples remembred how yt it was wrytten: the zele of thyne housse hath even eaten me.

25. Strongs

26. Wictionary
Note that Wictionary does not show a connection with "ζέω" nor a connection with "jealous" - which is part of Strongs concordance of definitions.

27. Zealots
During the Jewish War from 66-70 AD, the Zealots were a political group that pushed the confrontation with Rome. Josephus lists them after the Pharisees, Sadducee and Essenes.

The name comes from the ancient Greek word "ζηλωτής""emulator, zealous follower" which was used to translate the Hebrew. Some modern writers, for various reason, prefer to call them the "revolutionaries" rather than the "zealots".

28. Paul
Some think that the use of the word "zeal" by Paul indicates that he may have been associated with the movement of the Zealots.

Verse routeActs 22:3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. [kjv]


29. Acts 22:3
   Acts 22:3 
 All 
KJV: I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.
Greek: εγω μεν ειμι ανηρ ιουδαιος γεγεννημενος εν ταρσω της κιλικιας ανατεθραμμενος δε εν τη πολει ταυτη παρα τους ποδας γαμαλιηλ πεπαιδευμενος κατα ακριβειαν του πατρωου νομου ζηλωτης υπαρχων του θεου καθως παντες υμεις εστε σημερον

30. Paul and Zealots
Verse routeGalatians 1:14 And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. [kjv]
Verse routePhilippians 3:6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. [kjv]

However, it does not appear that the association of the Greek word for "zealot" with the Hebrew word "קנאי" (kana) ≈ "fanatic" was made until Josephus wrote his history of the Jewish war at the end of the first century.

Information sign More: Flavius Josephus

31. Galatians 1:14
 All 
KJV: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers.
Greek: και προεκοπτον εν τω ιουδαισμω υπερ πολλους συνηλικιωτας εν τω γενει μου περισσοτερως ζηλωτης υπαρχων των πατρικων μου παραδοσεων

32. Philippians 3:6
 All 
KJV: Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.
Greek: κατα ζηλον ζηλος διωκων την εκκλησιαν κατα δικαιοσυνην την εν νομω γενομενος αμεμπτος
Latin: secundum aemulationem persequens ecclesiam Dei secundum iustitiam quae in lege est conversatus sine querella
Wycliffe: bi loue pursuynge the chirche of God, bi riytwisnesse that is in the lawe lyuynge with out playnt.
Geneva: Concerning zeale, I persecuted ye Church: touching the righteousnesse which is in the Law, I was vnrebukeable.

33. Jews
Verse routeActs 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: [kjv]

Were all of these Jews "zealots"?

34. Acts 21:20
 All 
Greek: οι δε ακουσαντες εδοξαζον τον κυριον ειπον θεον ειπαν τε αυτω θεωρεις αδελφε ποσαι μυριαδες εισιν ιουδαιων εν τοις ιουδαιοις των πεπιστευκοτων και παντες ζηλωται του νομου υπαρχουσιν

35. Jealous
The English word "jealous" comes from the Old English word "jelous""jealous" which comes, through Latin, from the ancient Greek word "ζῆλος""zeal". Somewhere along the way the definition and connotation changed from "zealous" to "jealous".

Try making the following progression of sounds: "z", "tz", "j".

36. Verses
How might the following verses be interpreted with a more conventional Greek definition of "zealous"?

The "jealous" appears to have come through the Latin from the Greek where the words had some differences.

37. Galatians 5:20
 All 
KJV: Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Greek: ειδωλολατρεια ειδωλολατρια φαρμακεια εχθραι ερεις ζηλοι ερις ζηλος θυμοι εριθειαι διχοστασιαι αιρεσεις
Latin: idolorum servitus veneficia inimicitiae contentiones aemulationes irae rixae dissensiones sectae

38. Seek
The following verses use the Greek word for "seek".

Verse routeMatthew 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: ) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. [kjv]
Verse route6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. [kjv]

Information sign More: Matthew 6: Seek to eat , drink and be married to Jesus

39. Matthew 6:32
   Matthew 6:32 
 All 
KJV: (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek: ) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.
Greek: παντα γαρ ταυτα τα εθνη επιζητει επιζητουσιν οιδεν γαρ ο πατηρ υμων ο ουρανιος οτι χρηζετε τουτων απαντων

40. Strongs - seek

41. Matthew 6:33
   Matthew 6:33 
 All 
KJV: But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Greek: ζητειτε δε πρωτον την βασιλειαν του θεου και την δικαιοσυνην αυτου και ταυτα παντα προστεθησεται υμιν

42. Ask, seek and knock
Verse routeMatthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: [kjv]

In this verse, the "seek" appears to indicate that the goal is known to exist and is obtainable.

Have you ever heard or suspected that someone had interpreted the "seek" as a "search", as in "searching" one's soul or self to "find themselves" (as in a search)?

Does this make a difference?

43. Matthew 7:7
   Matthew 7:7 
 All 
KJV: Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:
Greek: αιτειτε και δοθησεται υμιν ζητειτε και ευρησετε κρουετε και ανοιγησεται υμιν

44. Simon the Zealot
Simon the Zealot was named as one of the 12 disciples of Jesus.

Verse routeLuke 6:15 Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes, [kjv]
Verse routeActs 1:13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. [kjv]

Luke labels Simon with "Zealot" in both Luke and Acts. In the other Gospels, the name is just "Simon".

45. Luke 6:15
   Luke 6:15 
 All 
KJV: Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called Zelotes,
Greek: ματθαιον και μαθθαιον και θωμαν και ιακωβον τον του αλφαιου και σιμωνα τον καλουμενον ζηλωτην

46. Acts 1:13
   Acts 1:13 
 All 
KJV: And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.
Greek: και οτε εισηλθον ανεβησαν εις το υπερωον ανεβησαν ου ησαν καταμενοντες ο τε πετρος και ιακωβος και ιωαννης και ιακωβος και ανδρεας φιλιππος και θωμας βαρθολομαιος και ματθαιος μαθθαιος ιακωβος αλφαιου και σιμων ο ζηλωτης και ιουδας ιακωβου

47. Damage
The following words use the Greek word for "damage".

Verse routeActs 27:10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives. [kjv]


48. Acts 27:10
   Acts 27:10 
 All 
KJV: And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our lives.
Greek: λεγων αυτοις ανδρες θεωρω οτι μετα υβρεως και πολλης ζημιας ου μονον του φορτου φορτιου και του πλοιου αλλα και των ψυχων ημων μελλειν εσεσθαι τον πλουν

49. Strongs - damage
Verse routePhilippians 3:7 But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. [kjv]

In this verse, Paul uses the Greek word for "damage" as "loss".

50. Philippians 3:7
 All 
KJV: But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Greek: αλλ αλλα ατινα ην μοι κερδη ταυτα ηγημαι δια τον χριστον ζημιαν

51. Summary
Zeal, envy, covet
"Zeal" can be destructive and lead to damage.

In Greek, the words for "seek", "zeal" and "damage" are related.

52. End of page

by RS  admin@creationpie.com : 1024 x 640