be eager
zeloo denotes earnest pursuit or concern, while hostile contexts show jealousy, envy, or self-seeking desire.
The attested uses most often describe earnest, directed pursuit of gifts, spiritual matters, prophecy, people, or what is good. In adverse settings, the same verb marks jealousy, envy, or an improper effort to win others' allegiance.
Senses in use
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Earnest pursuit or concern · dominant
Present active forms call for or describe directed eagerness: in 1 Corinthians 12:31 the APB renders the clause "earnestly desire the greater gifts," while 1 Corinthians 14:1 and 1 Corinthians 14:39 place the pursuit alongside spiritual things and prophecy. In 2 Corinthians 11:2, the first-person present active form expresses the speaker's concern for the readers; Galatians 4:18 calls being zealous for what is good a good thing.
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Jealous or improperly directed desire · common
The aorist active participle in Acts 7:9 and Acts 17:5 describes groups whose jealousy is followed by harmful action: Joseph is sold in the former, and a mob is formed in the latter. In 1 Corinthians 13:4, love is said not to do this; James 4:2 places it amid unfulfilled desire, conflict, and inability to obtain. Galatians 4:17 also qualifies others' zeal as "not in a good way" and connects it with trying to shut the readers out.
In the Anselm Project Bible: The APB varies between "earnestly desire," "be eager," and "zealous" in favorable contexts, and "jealous," "envy," or "envious" in adverse ones. These renderings reflect the clauses as translated rather than a fixed English equivalent for every occurrence.