Zeal Without Knowledge

January 29th, 2025
by Dr. D. Lance Waldie

Romans 10:1-2 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge.

Throughout their history, the Jewish people have always been zealous for their religion (cf. 2:17-20). From the days of Moses, Israelite boys were carefully instructed in the OT Scriptures and in the many rabbinical traditions of their teachers. Some of these teachers demanded the title “master” or “father” by their students, an honor they relished (cf. Matt. 23:1-12). As a result, the rabbis tended to strut around in their pomp, occupying the highest seats of honor at religious feasts and in homes. Jesus took issue with this, noting that many of the traditions taught by the rabbis actually stood in contrast to the Scriptures (cf. Matt. 5-7, 23).

As transmitters of religious teachings, Jewish rabbis in Jerusalem (the center of academic studies in religion) were highly regarded by Jews. They thus wielded great influence in Jewish society. Some young men would travel great distances to Jerusalem in order to be taught by renowned rabbis there, in the same way that young people today travel across the country to attend a renowned university. The rabbis were often so highly esteemed that they were rarely questioned when their teachings on traditions contradicted biblical truth. Contrary to most of the Jewish people who only knew and spoke Aramaic in the first century, the rabbis were fluent in the Hebrew language and therefore had the added benefit of being able to translate Hebrew into Aramaic. As a result, the people relied completely on them and their expertise in translation.

For centuries Jewish rulers were condemned for acting in ignorance. God said of them, “My people go into exile for their lack of knowledge” (Isa. 5:13; cf. Hosea 4:6)… An ox knows its owner, and a donkey its master’s manger, but Israel does not know… [nor] understand” (Isa. 1:2-4). Previously God had said, “For forty years I loathed [Israel of the exodus] and said they are a people who err in their heart, and they do not know My ways” (Ps. 95:10).

So it is quite sad that although the Jewish rabbis and sages had a “zeal for God,” they lacked “knowledge” (Gr. epignosis); they lacked true insight concerning God. Rebuking the Sadducees, a sect of rabbis, Jesus said, “You are in error because you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matt. 22:29). Like the Pharisees and scribes, the Sadducees knew the Scriptures, but they were ignorant of their meaning (cf. John 8:54-55; 9:39-41). Elsewhere, Jesus said, “[You invalidate] the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down (Mark 7:13). Also, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men” (Matt. 15:8-9).

Although Israel was zealous for God, their ignorance was their downfall. Later, rebuking the same rabbis who had Jesus killed, Peter boldly said, “The God of our fathers has glorified His servant Jesus, the one whom you delivered up, and disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release Him. But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you… I know that you acted in ignorance…” (Acts 3:13-14, 17). Paul likewise, speaking of his own ignorance before coming the faith in Jesus as the Christ, said, “Tough I was formerly a blasphemer… yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief” (1 Tim. 1:12-13). Even Jesus, as He was dying on the cross, prayed for His murderers, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing” (Luke 23:34).

Now for Israel, the basis of her ignorance was not the result of never hearing the truth. Her ignorance entailed disregarding the truth—from her OT prophets to Jesus to Paul to Peter. Her ignorance was, and is, self-inflicted. They did not want Jesus as their Messiah, and so they are destroyed for a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Even today, from Jews to Mormons to Muslims, God turns willfully ignorant people over to their own unbelief (cf. Rom. 1:19-26).

Food for Thought

What a commentary on today’s religion! People everywhere have a zeal for God but not in accordance with true knowledge. Our task is therefore is to preach the truth in love to all who will listen. May no one who knows us personally die in ignorance of the gospel. They may die in their sins, but may it not be because we never informed them of the truth of Jesus Christ.