“Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;”
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. — Spoude (diligence, eagerness) must not be relaxed (nothroi, sluggish). Zeon tō pneumati (fervent in the spirit) suggests that zeal is pneumatic (spirit-energized), not merely psychic. Douleō kyriō (serve the Lord) connects fervor to divine allegiance, not worldly ambition.
Church Fathers on Romans 12:11
“Not backward in zeal.” For this also genders love when with honor we also show a readiness to protect: as there is nothing that makes men beloved so much as honor and forethought. For to love is not enough, but there must be this also: or rather this also comes of loving, as also loving has its warmth from this, and they are confirmative one of another. For there are many that love in mind, yet reach not forth the hand. And this is why he uses every means to build up love.…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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