Greek word · G2204

ζέω

zeō

be fervent

Literally to boil or seethe (of water or of a pot on the fire), or to be red-hot (of metal). Figuratively, to be stirred up, ardent, burning with emotion, whether good (zeal) or bad (anger). The related adjective zestos means "hot" (Rev 3:15–16).

Appears 2 times in 2 verses of the Greek New Testament. ·

What it means

ζέω

[in LXX for רוּם, רָתַח, metaphorically, 4Ma.18:20 ;]

to boil, be hot; metaphorically, of anger, love, zeal: ptcp., fervent: τ. πνεύματι, Acts 18:25, Romans 12:11.†

(AS)

From G. Abbott-Smith, A Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament (1922), via STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0).

In depth

From the study of Romans 12:11

Range of meaning

Literally to boil or seethe (of water or of a pot on the fire), or to be red-hot (of metal). Figuratively, to be stirred up, ardent, burning with emotion, whether good (zeal) or bad (anger). The related adjective zestos means "hot" (Rev 3:15–16).

Against the English

"Fervent" (KJV, WEB, ESV, NASB) is a good match, since it comes from Latin fervere, "to boil." Modern readers have lost that image, though. The NIV/BSB "keep your spiritual fervor" makes it sound like an inner feeling to hold on to, rather than a state of boiling over.

Used elsewhere in the period

The exact phrase zeōn tō pneumati describes Apollos in Acts 18:25. Greek writers used the verb of boiling water and seething passion. Later Jewish and Christian Greek writers used it for burning zeal.

From the study of Acts 18:25

Range of meaning

To boil or seethe, used of water, metals or wine. Figuratively it means to be burning or boiling with an emotion such as zeal or anger. Paired with pneuma it means 'boiling in spirit'.

Against the English

'Fervent' (from Latin fervere, 'to boil') matches the image exactly, but most readers no longer hear the boiling. NIV-style 'with great fervor' and NRSV-style 'burning enthusiasm' make it a personality trait.

How it drifted

'Fervent' has faded to mean 'earnest' or 'sincere', and the picture of heat bubbling over is lost. The bigger problem is whether pneuma here is Apollos's own spirit or the Holy Spirit (see debates).

Used elsewhere in the period

Romans 12:11 uses the identical phrase, tō pneumati zeontes, 'boiling in the spirit', next to 'serving the Lord'. Many interpreters take that verse to mean being set aflame by the Holy Spirit. In the LXX the verb describes literal boiling (e.g. Job 32:19; 41:23 [41:31 English], the sea made to boil like a pot).

Where it appears

Acts · 1

  1. Acts 18:25 ζέων being fervent

    He had been instructed in the way of the Lord and was fervent in spirit. He spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John.

    Here: Literally 'boiling'. Used of water on the fire and, figuratively, of burning zeal. The present tense describes a lasting state: he kept boiling over.

Romans · 1

  1. Romans 12:11 ζέοντες, being fervent,

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

    Here: Literally "boiling": water bubbling over the fire, or metal glowing hot. As a picture it means burning with energy. It is a present participle, which describes an ongoing condition: "staying at a boil".

Word data: STEPBible.org (CC BY 4.0), main text only.