# True and False Zeal explained — Olney Hymns

> Chapter companion for Olney Hymns by John Newton.

## 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.

## Character check-ins

### 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 lines

> 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._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters/70-true-and-false-zeal
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/olney_hymns_se/chapters