“For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.”
For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. — Israel's ζῆλος (zēlos, "zeal") for God is genuine but misdirected; it lacks ἐπίγνωσις (epignōsis, "true knowledge"). Zeal without understanding pursues false paths. Israel's fervor is tragic precisely because it is misaligned.
Church Fathers on Romans 10:2
“For I bear them record,” says he, “that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.” Ought not this then to be a ground for pardoning and not for accusing them? For if it is not of man that they are separated, but through zeal, they deserved to be pitied rather than punished. But observe how adroitly he favors them in the word, and yet shows their unseasonable obstinacy.
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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