Manipulative Zeal and Paul’s Rebuke in Galatians 4:17

Introduction: When Zeal Turns Toxic

Paul warns the Galatians about those who seek to manipulate their devotion:

ζηλοῦσιν ὑμᾶς οὐ καλῶς, ἀλλὰ ἐκκλεῖσαι ὑμᾶς θέλουσιν, ἵνα αὐτοὺς ζηλοῦτε
“They are zealous for you, not in a good way, but they want to exclude you, so that you might be zealous for them.”

This verse uses present indicatives, a purpose clause, and an infinitive of result/purpose. It’s a masterclass in ironic exposure—the Judaizers appear “passionately concerned,” but their aim is control.

ζηλοῦσιν ὑμᾶς οὐ καλῶς, ἀλλὰ ἐκκλεῖσαι ὑμᾶς θέλουσιν, ἵνα αὐτοὺς ζηλοῦτε

Morphological Breakdown

1. ζηλοῦσιν {zēloûsin} –
   Root: ζηλόω {zēlóō};
   Form: present active indicative, 3rd person plural;
   Meaning: “they are zealous for,” “they court,” “they are passionately interested in (you)”;
   Notes: Can be positive or negative depending on context. Here: feigned or possessive zeal.
2. ὑμᾶς {hymâs} –
   Form: accusative plural 2nd person pronoun;
   Meaning: “you” (object of ζηλοῦσιν and ἐκκλεῖσαι)
3. οὐ καλῶς {ou kalōs} –
   Form: adverbial phrase (“not well”);
   Usage: negates the manner of their zeal—i.e., their motivation is not good.
4. ἀλλὰ ἐκκλεῖσαι ὑμᾶς {allà ekkleîsai hymâs} –
   Form: adversative conjunction + aorist active infinitive + object;
   Verb: ἐκκλείω = “to shut out,” “exclude”;
   Function: expresses purpose or intended result—“but they want to exclude you…”
5. θέλουσιν {thélousin} –
   Root: θέλω;
   Form: present active indicative, 3rd person plural;
   Meaning: “they want”;
   Usage: governs ἐκκλεῖσαι as its complementary infinitive.
6. ἵνα αὐτοὺς ζηλοῦτε {hína autoùs zēloûte} –
   Form: purpose clause introduced by ἵνα + present subjunctive;
   Verb: ζηλόω again, now with a different object;
   Translation: “so that you may be zealous for them”;
   Notes: The manipulation is revealed: they court you only to win your loyalty in return.

Syntactical Structure: Purpose, Infinitives, and Irony

– Main clause: ζηλοῦσιν ὑμᾶς οὐ καλῶς – “They zealously pursue you—not in a good way.”
– Contrast/purpose: ἀλλὰ ἐκκλεῖσαι ὑμᾶς θέλουσιν – “but they want to exclude you…”
– Final aim: ἵνα αὐτοὺς ζηλοῦτε – “so that you will pursue them.”

This is a two-layered purpose structure:
1. Immediate intent: exclude the Galatians from Paul’s influence or from grace.
2. Ultimate goal: draw them into loyalty to the Judaizers.

Semantic and Theological Implications

– False zeal can mask manipulation.
– Paul’s warning is pastoral:
→ These teachers seem passionate,
→ But they want to cut you off—
→ So that you’ll be chained to them.

The verb play is crucial:
– ζηλοῦσιν → “they are zealous for you”
– ζηλοῦτε → “you (may) become zealous for them”

This reveals a one-way relationship of control, not mutual love.

Literary and Rhetorical Strategy

Paul uses:
– Short clauses for intensity.
– Verb repetition for rhetorical effect (ζηλοῦσιν… ζηλοῦτε).
– Logical exposure: he unmasks the real motive of the Judaizers.

Not Good Zeal

Zeal isn’t always holy.
Sometimes, it’s a tool.
To isolate. To dominate. To turn affection into allegiance.

And Paul says:
Beware of zeal that courts you—
only to close you in.