Olney Hymns · Chapter
True and False Zeal explained
Newton contrasts true zeal, which springs from divine love and is merciful, mild, and peaceable, with false zeal, which is self-serving, fierce, and contentious.
What happens
Newton contrasts true zeal, which springs from divine love and is merciful, mild, and peaceable, with false zeal, which is self-serving, fierce, and contentious. True zeal seeks only that sinners love the Savior, while false zeal seeks its own glory and reward. The poem concludes with a prayer for the dethronement of self and for zeal that arises from love.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
True zeal is described as a 'pure and heav'nly flame' supplied by the fire of love, implying divine grace as its source.
Human Sinfulness and Depravity
The poem exposes the sinfulness of self, which disguises itself as zeal and seeks its own ends, contrasting with the purity of true zeal.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The Savior whose name true zeal desires sinners to love, and who will appear to grant the best applause.
- Jehu
Cited as an example of boasting self-zeal: 'Come, see what I can do.'
- The Lord
Addressed in prayer as 'Dear Lord,' asking to dethrone the idol self and purify zeal.
Key passages
“Zeal is that pure and heav'nly flame / The fire of love supplies; / While that which often bears the name / Is self in a disguise.”
True zeal is a pure, heavenly flame fueled by love, whereas what is often called zeal is actually self-interest in disguise.
Newton distinguishes between authentic zeal from love and counterfeit zeal from self.
“But self, however well employ'd, / Has its own ends in view; / And says, as boasting Jehu cried, / 'Come, see what I can do.'”
Even when self appears to be doing good, it is ultimately seeking its own benefit, like Jehu who boasted of his own achievements.
Newton uses Jehu's boastful cry to illustrate the self-promoting nature of false zeal.