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For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Zeal and devotion are good if they are not misplaced.<\/p>\n Paul starts off this verse with \u201cFor I bear them witness<\/span>.\u201d This is translated from the Greek words martur\u014d gar<\/em><\/span>. The Greek word gar<\/em> <\/span>is a primary particle which assigns a reason. Hence it is usually translated as \u201cfor.\u201d This particular word is always post positive; that is, it always appears after the word to which it applies. The Greek word martur\u014d<\/em> <\/span>is the word from which we get our English word martyr. It means \u201cto be a witness.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cZeal<\/span>\u201d is from the Greek word dz\u0113los<\/span><\/em>, which literally refers to \u201cheat.\u201d Figuratively, it is a reference to the heat of a person\u2019s passion. Thus it is often translated as \u201czeal.\u201d<\/p>\n The word translated \u201cknowledge<\/span>\u201d is epigin\u014dsk\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which is made up of epi<\/em><\/span>, meaning \u201con or upon\u201d and gin\u014dsk\u014d<\/em><\/span>, which means \u201cto know, to perceive, or to be aware of.\u201d Hence epigin\u014dsk\u014d<\/em> <\/span>literally means \u201cto know upon.\u201d That is, to perceive and understand based on the facts.<\/p>\n Paul is now declaring the reason why he is desirous of seeing all of Israel saved, while at the same time declaring the reason why they aren\u2019t all saved. He tells us, \u201cFor I am a witness of the fact that they (his fellow Jews) have a zeal for God.\u201d His witness is driven by the fact that not only was he that way himself, but he has personally known many devout Jews who were earnestly seeking after God and His righteousness.<\/p>\n The problem, according to Paul, is that they have been seeking after the righteousness of God in the wrong way. It hasn\u2019t been \u201caccording to knowledge,\u201d he says; that is to say, they haven\u2019t recognized or understood the proper way to attain God\u2019s righteousness because they didn\u2019t understand the proper way.<\/p>\n As part of his calling from God, Paul is declaring the facts of salvation through the Messiah, Jesus Christ. He wants them to have knowledge of their Savior so that they might accept the truth and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul knows that many of his fellow Jews are ignorant of the truth. Because of that ignorance, even though they are very passionate about God and His righteousness, they are going about it all wrong.<\/p>\n There are many who call themselves Christian today who are very passionate about God. But instead of seeking God through faith, they are trying to earn His favor. Some would call them devout, but their devotion is to their church or to living up to some set of standards. Some of them even believe that they can reach a point of sanctification in which they no longer sin. That, however, is a works oriented religion; it is not walking by faith.<\/p>\n Being zealous is a good thing. Being devoted to a good cause or to a church is wonderful. But it\u2019s not the way of salvation. Salvation only comes through faith in the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ. Only through living by faith can we please the One who is our Heavenly Father. And we can only live by faith if we have knowledge of the truth. That\u2019s why it is so important that we study the Bible!<\/p>\n In God\u2019s service, for His glory,<\/strong><\/p>\nTruth to Learn<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Behind the Words<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Meaning Explained<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
Application<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
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