English · KJV
G2204

ζέω

zéō /dzeh'-o/ Ask about this word
Meaninga primary verb; to be hot (boil, of liquids; or glow, of solids), i.e. (figuratively) be fervid (earnest)
KJV usagebe fervent.

Word Study

In depth

A plain-language study of zéō — the range of meaning it carries, how Scripture actually uses it, and where it points. Written for readers who don’t know the original language.

Core Meaning & Semantic Range

The Greek word zéō, represented by G2204, is a primary verb meaning to be hot, as in boiling liquids or glowing solids. Figuratively, it conveys being fervid or earnest. It appears only 2 times in 2 unique verses, yet it powerfully illustrates a state of spiritual intensity.

Biblical Occurrences & Contextual Analysis

The two uses of G2204 highlight its practical application. In Romans 12:11, believers are instructed not to be slothful G3636 but to be fervent in spirit G4151 while serving G1398 the Lord G2962. This places fervency as a direct antidote to spiritual laziness. In Acts 18:25, a man named Apollos is described as being fervent in the spirit G4151, a state which resulted in him speaking and teaching diligently G199 about the Lord, even though his knowledge was limited to the baptism G908 of John.

Related Words & Concepts

Several related words help clarify the concept of being fervent:

  • G3636 oknērós (slothful): Defined as tardy or indolent, this word is presented as the direct opposite of being fervent in spirit Romans 12:11.
  • G4151 pneûma (spirit): This term, meaning a current of air, breath, or a spirit, is the sphere in which fervency operates in both biblical occurrences. It can refer to the human spirit or the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:11; Acts 18:25).
  • G1398 douleúō (serving): Meaning to be a slave to or to serve, this action is the direct outcome of being fervent in spirit, connecting inner zeal with outward service to the Lord Romans 12:11.
  • G1321 didáskō (teach): The fervency of Apollos in Acts 18:25 is channeled into his action of teaching, showing that this spiritual heat fuels the communication of God's ways.

Theological Significance

The theological weight of G2204 is centered on the nature of Christian zeal.

  • An Expression of Service: Fervency is not an idle state but a dynamic quality that results in action. It is directly linked to serving G1398 the Lord G2962, indicating that true spiritual heat produces diligent work for God Romans 12:11.
  • Fuel for Ministry: In the example of Apollos, being fervent in spirit G4151 precedes and empowers his ability to speak and teach G1321 with diligence. This suggests that spiritual earnestness is a vital component for effective ministry Acts 18:25.
  • A Contrast to Complacency: The command in Romans 12:11 sets up a clear choice between being slothful G3636 and being fervent G2204, framing spiritual intensity as a required characteristic of a believer's life, not an optional one.

Summary

In summary, G2204 zéō provides a vivid metaphor for the Christian's inner life. Though used sparingly, it defines a spiritual state of being "hot" or boiling with earnestness for the Lord. This fervency is positioned as the opposite of slothfulness and is shown to be the driving force behind dedicated service and the diligent teaching of God's word. It is a call to an active, passionate, and spiritually intense walk with God.

How the KJV Renders It

Translation

Strong’s lists the renderings but not their weight. These are counted from the King James text of the tagged verses — the bar under each is how often the translators actually reached for it. Select one to filter the occurrences below.

Grammatical Forms

Morphology

In the Greek New Testament, this word appears as a verb across 2 occurrences, inflected in 2 grammatical forms — each row is one form, and the bar is how often it is that form.

  • Present Active Participle Nominative Plural Masculine 1×
  • Present Active Participle Nominative Singular Masculine 1×
Nominative
The subject of the verb.
Singular
One.
Plural
More than one.
Masculine
Masculine grammatical gender.
Present
Action in progress or repeated — happening now or continually.
Active
The subject performs the action.
Participle
A verbal adjective — describes while carrying the verb's action.

Related Words

Related

Other entries the study above points to — each one is drawn from a reference it makes. Follow the trail to see how the words connect.

G3636 ὀκνηρός from ὀκνέω; tardy, i.e. indolent; (figuratively) irksome:--grievous, slothful. G4151 πνεῦμα from πνέω; a current of air, i.e. breath (blast) or a breeze; by analogy or figuratively, a spirit, i.e. (human) the rat G1398 δουλεύω from δοῦλος; to be a slave to (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary):--be in bondage, (do) serve(-ice). G2962 κύριος from (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title):-- Go G199 ἀκριβῶς adverb from the same as ἀκριβέστατος; exactly:--circumspectly, diligently, perfect(-ly). G908 βάπτισμα from βαπτίζω; baptism (technically or figuratively):--baptism.

Theographic Context

Context

The people, places, and span of history the verses containing this word touch on — drawn from the theographic tagging of Scripture. Select any name to isolate its verses in the occurrence list.

Biblical Distribution

Distribution

Appears in 2 verses across 2 of the 27 books. Most frequent in Acts and Romans (1 verse each); never once in the other 25.

1
Acts
1
Romans

Every Occurrence

Concordance

Every verse where the word is tagged in the King James text. Filter by book, by the English word the translators chose, or search within the verses.

Sources. Definition and numbering: James Strong, Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible (1890). Morphology: STEPBible / Tyndale House (CC BY). Verse tagging: the King James text keyed to Strong’s numbers. Every count on this page is computed from the tagged corpus, not estimated.