Ambitious
Ambition in the Bible
The English word "ambitious" appears in some Bible translations as a marginal reading for the Greek word "philotimeomai," which literally means "to love honor" or "to be strongly desirous." While modern culture often associates ambition with self-promotion and worldly success, the New Testament redefines ambition as a passionate desire directed toward honoring God and serving others. Paul uses this word in three key passages that together paint a picture of what godly ambition looks like.
Ambitious to Preach the Gospel
In Romans 15:20, Paul writes, "It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation." Paul's driving aspiration was to bring the message of Christ to unreached peoples. This was not ego-driven ambition but a holy compulsion to fulfill his calling as an apostle to the Gentiles. He deliberately sought out places where no one had yet proclaimed Christ, laying foundations for new communities of faith across the Roman Empire.
Ambitious to Please God
Second Corinthians 5:9 presents another dimension of holy ambition: "So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him." Here Paul declares that the believer's supreme ambition, whether in this life or the next, should be to bring pleasure to God. This ambition transcends circumstances, locations, and even death itself. It provides a stable center of purpose regardless of what life brings, anchoring the believer's motivation in the desire to honor the Lord.
Ambitious to Be Quiet
Perhaps the most surprising use of this word appears in 1 Thessalonians 4:11, where Paul urges the Thessalonians to "make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands." The pairing of ambition with quietness creates a deliberate paradox. Some believers in Thessalonica had apparently become idle, perhaps expecting the imminent return of Christ. Paul redirects their energy, teaching that godly ambition includes the disciplined pursuit of an orderly, productive life. Being ambitiously quiet means channeling one's zeal into faithful daily living.
The Contrast with Worldly Ambition
Scripture warns against the kind of ambition driven by selfish desire. James 3:14-16 condemns "selfish ambition" as earthly, unspiritual, and demonic, linking it to disorder and every evil practice. Philippians 2:3 urges believers to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. The biblical distinction is clear: ambition itself is not wrong, but its direction determines its moral value. Ambition aimed at self-glory is destructive; ambition aimed at God's glory is a virtue.
Ambition Redeemed
Paul's use of "philotimeomai" represents a redemption of the concept of ambition. In the Greco-Roman world, philotimia (love of honor) was a civic virtue associated with wealthy citizens who sought public recognition through generous acts. Paul transforms this cultural concept by redirecting the love of honor from human audiences to a divine one. The highest honor a person can pursue is not public acclaim but the approval of God. This reframing of ambition remains profoundly relevant for believers in every generation.
Biblical Context
The Greek word 'philotimeomai' appears in Romans 15:20 (ambition to preach), 2 Corinthians 5:9 (ambition to please God), and 1 Thessalonians 4:11 (ambition to live quietly). These three uses together define biblical ambition as directed toward God's glory rather than self-advancement.
Theological Significance
Biblical ambition redefines human striving by directing it toward God's purposes. Paul demonstrates that the most intense desire and effort should be channeled into gospel proclamation, pleasing God, and faithful daily living. This transforms ambition from a source of pride into a means of worship.
Historical Background
In Greco-Roman culture, 'philotimia' (love of honor) was a recognized civic virtue. Wealthy citizens competed in public generosity to gain honor and recognition. Paul co-opts this cultural concept for Christian purposes, redirecting the drive for honor from human approval to divine approval. This transformation would have been striking to his original audience.