AMBITIOUS

am-bish'-us (philotimeomai, "to be strongly desirous," "strive earnestly," "make it one's aim"): Given as a marginal reading in Romans 15:20 ("being ambitious to bring good tidings"), 2 Corinthians 5:9 ("We are ambitious, whether at home or absent, to be well-pleasing unto him"), and 1 Thessalonians 4:11 ("that ye be ambitious to be quiet").

From the International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Edited by James Orr, published in 1939 by Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.