zelos denotes intense commitment, whether expressed as earnest concern or as rivalry and jealousy.

The attested use most often depicts intense, directed commitment: concern for another, devotion toward God or a house, readiness that stirs others, or forceful action. Other verses place it among rivalry, quarrel, and disorder, while Hebrews 10:27 presents it within the expectation of consuming fire.

1. Intense directed commitment · dominant

   In 2 Corinthians 7:7 the accusative form occurs in the report of the Corinthians' longing, mourning, and concern for Paul; the APB renders the list with “zeal.” In John 2:17 the nominative form stands in the remembered statement that concern for God's house will devour the speaker, while Romans 10:2 describes commitment toward God that is not according to knowledge. In 2 Corinthians 9:2, the Corinthians' readiness is said to have stirred up many others.

   2 Corinthians 7:72 Corinthians 7:112 Corinthians 9:2John 2:17Romans 10:2Philippians 3:6
2. Jealous or rivalrous contention · common

   In 1 Corinthians 3:3, the nominative form is named with quarrel as evidence of fleshly conduct; the APB renders the clause “where there is zeal and quarrel among you.” Acts 13:45 places the genitive form in the account of opponents filled with jealousy who contradicted Paul, and James 3:16 connects zeal and rivalry with disorder and every evil thing.

   1 Corinthians 3:32 Corinthians 12:20Acts 13:45Galatians 5:20James 3:14James 3:16
3. Fury in judgment · rare

   In Hebrews 10:27, the nominative form occurs in the expectation of judgment and fire that will consume adversaries. The APB presents this clause as “a fury of fire,”.

   Hebrews 10:27

In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB variously uses “zeal,” “eager,” “eagerness,” “jealousy,” and “fury” in verses containing the term. These renderings confirm the clauses' differing settings rather than fixing a separate English equivalent in every verse.