Works of the Flesh: Emulations & Wrath

1.   Emulations:

      a.   Otherwise rendered “jealousy” – NKJV, NIV, Goodspeed, etc

      b.   From the Greek zelos, “excited in mind, fervent in spirit” (Vines)

      c.   In the good sense found in the following texts:

            i.   John 2:17

            ii.  Romans 10:2

            iii. 2 Corinthians 11:2

      d.   “Honorable emulation with the consequent imitation of that which presents itself to the minds’s eye as excellent” (Zodhiates)

      e.   Zodhiates points out how this honorable can degenerate into a state of dishonor, making war upon the good formerly seen.

      f.   This intent is seen in the following texts:

            i.   Acts 5:17

            ii.  Acts 13:45

            iii. Romans 13:13

            iv. 1 Corinthians 3:3

      g.   Is mentioned in reference to the punishment of those who forsake the assembly - Hebrews 10:27

2.                                 Wrath

                                   a.   From the Greek thumos, meaning passion, anger quickly boiling up and subsiding.

                                   b.   Other renderings:

                                         i.   “anger” – Goodspeed,

                                         ii.  “temper” – Moffatt

                                         iii. “outburst of anger” – NASB

                                         iv. “outbursts of wrath” – NKJV

                                         v.   “fits of rage” – NIV

                                   c.   2 Kings 5 – Naaman went away in a rage

                                   d.   People may laugh and joke about being short-tempered, but the Lord finds no humor in it:

                                         i.   Ephesians 4:26-32

                                         ii.  Galatians 5:21 “they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God”