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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 9:20–29

Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.” / All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” / But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 13:16–52

Paul stood up, motioned with his hand, and began to speak: “Men of Israel and you Gentiles who fear God, listen to me! / The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers. He made them into a great people during their stay in Egypt, and with an uplifted arm He led them out of that land. / He endured their conduct for about forty years in the wilderness.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 14:1–28

At Iconium, Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue, where they spoke so well that a great number of Jews and Greeks believed. / But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brothers. / So Paul and Barnabas spent considerable time there, speaking boldly for the Lord, who affirmed the message of His grace by enabling them to perform signs and wonders.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 15:26, 30–36, 41

men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. / So the men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they assembled the congregation and delivered the letter. / Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the brothers in every town where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, to see how they are doing.”

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 16:10, 13, 17, 31, 32

As soon as Paul had seen the vision, we got ready to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them. / On the Sabbath we went outside the city gate along the river, where it was customary to find a place of prayer. After sitting down, we spoke to the women who had gathered there. / This girl followed Paul and the rest of us, shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are proclaiming to you the way of salvation!”

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 17:2, 3, 16, 17, 22–31

As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbaths he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, / explaining and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Christ,” he declared. / While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply disturbed in his spirit to see that the city was full of idols.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 18:4–6, 19, 23

Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks alike. / And when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself fully to the word, testifying to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ. / But when they opposed and insulted him, he shook out his garments and told them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 19:8–10, 21

Then Paul went into the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. / But when some of them stubbornly refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way, Paul took his disciples and left the synagogue to conduct daily discussions in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. / This continued for two years, so that everyone who lived in the province of Asia, Jews and Greeks alike, heard the word of the Lord.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 20:7, 18–27, 31, 33, 34

On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Since Paul was ready to leave the next day, he talked to them and kept on speaking until midnight. / When they came to him, he said, “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I arrived in the province of Asia. / For I did not shrink back from declaring to you the whole will of God.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 21:13

Then Paul answered, “Why are you weeping and breaking my heart? I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.”

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 24:14–25

I do confess to you, however, that I worship the God of our fathers according to the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that is laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets, / and I have the same hope in God that they themselves cherish, that there will be a resurrection of both the righteous and the wicked. / In this hope, I strive always to maintain a clear conscience before God and man.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 26:1–29

Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and began his defense: / “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today to defend myself against all the accusations of the Jews, / especially since you are acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies. I beg you, therefore, to listen to me patiently.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Acts 28:23–28, 30, 31

So they set a day to meet with Paul, and many people came to the place he was staying. He expounded to them from morning to evening, testifying about the kingdom of God and persuading them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and the Prophets. / Some of them were convinced by what he said, but others refused to believe. / They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit was right when He spoke to your fathers through Isaiah the prophet:

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Romans 1:1

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, and set apart for the gospel of God—

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Romans 9:1–3

I speak the truth in Christ; I am not lying, as confirmed by my conscience in the Holy Spirit. / I have deep sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. / For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my own flesh and blood,

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Romans 10:1

Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is for their salvation.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Romans 11:13, 14

I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry / in the hope that I may provoke my own people to jealousy and save some of them.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Romans 15:15–32

However, I have written you a bold reminder on some points, because of the grace God has given me / to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. / Therefore I exult in Christ Jesus in my service to God.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 1:17, 23

For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with words of wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. / but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 2:1–4, 6, 7, 13

When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. / For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. / I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 3:1, 2, 5–7

Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, but as worldly—as infants in Christ. / I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for solid food. In fact, you are still not ready, / What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? They are servants through whom you believed, as the Lord has assigned to each his role.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 4:1–21

So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. / Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful. / I care very little, however, if I am judged by you or by any human court. In fact, I do not even judge myself.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 9:12, 15–23, 27

If others have this right to your support, shouldn’t we have it all the more? But we did not exercise this right. Instead, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. / But I have not used any of these rights. And I am not writing this to suggest that something be done for me. Indeed, I would rather die than let anyone nullify my boast. / I do all this for the sake of the gospel, so that I may share in its blessings.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 10:33

as I also try to please everyone in all I do. For I am not seeking my own good, but the good of many, that they may be saved.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 11:1

You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 13:1

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Corinthians 15:1–32

Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, and in which you stand firm. / By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain. / For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 1:12, 17–19, 24

And this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in relation to you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God—not in worldly wisdom, but in the grace of God. / When I planned this, did I do it carelessly? Or do I make my plans by human standards, so as to say “Yes, yes” when I really mean “No, no”? / For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not “Yes” and “No,” but in Him it has always been “Yes.”

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 2:12–17

Now when I went to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ and a door stood open for me in the Lord, / I had no peace in my spirit, because I did not find my brother Titus there. So I said goodbye to them and went on to Macedonia. / But thanks be to God, who always leads us triumphantly as captives in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of Him.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 3:6, 12

And He has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. / Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 4:1, 2, 5, 8–15

Therefore, since God in His mercy has given us this ministry, we do not lose heart. / Instead, we have renounced secret and shameful ways. We do not practice deceit, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by open proclamation of the truth, we commend ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. / For we do not proclaim ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 5:11, 13, 14, 18, 20

Therefore, since we know what it means to fear the Lord, we try to persuade men. What we are is clear to God, and I hope it is clear to your conscience as well. / If we are out of our mind, it is for God; if we are of sound mind, it is for you. / For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that One died for all, therefore all died.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 6:3–10

We put no obstacle in anyone’s way, so that no one can discredit our ministry. / Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships, and calamities; / in beatings, imprisonments, and riots; in labor, sleepless nights, and hunger;

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 7:2

Make room for us in your hearts. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 10:3, 14–16

For though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh. / We are not overstepping our bounds, as if we had not come to you. Indeed, we were the first to reach you with the gospel of Christ. / so that we can preach the gospel in the regions beyond you. Then we will not be boasting in the work already done in another man’s territory.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 11:7, 12, 19, 22–33

Was it a sin for me to humble myself in order to exalt you, because I preached the gospel of God to you free of charge? / But I will keep on doing what I am doing, in order to undercut those who want an opportunity to be regarded as our equals in the things of which they boast. / For you gladly tolerate fools, since you are so wise.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 12:10, 14, 15, 17–19, 21

That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. / See, I am ready to come to you a third time, and I will not be a burden, because I am not seeking your possessions, but you. For children should not have to save up for their parents, but parents for their children. / And for the sake of your souls, I will most gladly spend my money and myself. If I love you more, will you love me less?

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Corinthians 13:6–9

And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test. / Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed. / For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Galatians 1:10, 15, 16

Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. / But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by His grace, was pleased / to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not rush to consult with flesh and blood,

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Galatians 2:2

I went in response to a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I spoke privately to those recognized as leaders, for fear that I was running or had already run in vain.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Galatians 3:1

O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Galatians 4:11, 19

I fear for you, that my efforts for you may have been in vain. / My children, for whom I am again in the pains of childbirth until Christ is formed in you,

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Galatians 5:11

Now, brothers, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been abolished.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Ephesians 6:17, 20

And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. / for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it fearlessly, as I should.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Philippians 1:17, 18, 20, 22–25, 27

The former, however, preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can add to the distress of my chains. / What then is the issue? Just this: that in every way, whether by false motives or true, Christ is preached. And in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, / I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Philippians 2:16, 17

as you hold forth the word of life, in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. / But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Philippians 3:4–17

though I myself could have such confidence. If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: / circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; / as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Philippians 4:11, 12, 17

I am not saying this out of need, for I have learned to be content regardless of my circumstances. / I know how to live humbly, and I know how to abound. I am accustomed to any and every situation—to being filled and being hungry, to having plenty and having need. / Not that I am seeking a gift, but I am looking for the fruit that may be credited to your account.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Colossians 1:24, 28, 29

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions for the sake of His body, which is the church. / We proclaim Him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. / To this end I also labor, striving with all His energy working powerfully within me.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Colossians 2:1

For I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me face to face,

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Thessalonians 1:5, 6

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake. / And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Thessalonians 2:2–6, 8–11

As you are aware, we had already endured suffering and shameful treatment in Philippi. But in the face of strong opposition, we were bold in our God to speak to you the gospel of God. / For our appeal does not arise from deceit or ulterior motives or trickery. / Instead, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, not in order to please men but God, who examines our hearts.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9

For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, / nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you. / Not that we lack this right, but we wanted to offer ourselves as an example for you to imitate.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 1 Timothy 4:10

To this end we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, and especially of those who believe.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Timothy 1:3, 7, 11–13

I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience as did my forefathers, as I constantly remember you night and day in my prayers. / For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control. / to which I was appointed as a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Timothy 2:9, 10

for which I suffer to the extent of being chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained! / For this reason I endure all things for the sake of the elect, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul 2 Timothy 3:10, 11

You, however, have observed my teaching, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my perseverance, / my persecutions, and the sufferings that came upon me in Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra. What persecutions I endured! Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

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Religious Zeal: Exemplified by Paul Hebrews 13:18

Pray for us; we are convinced that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way.

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