Strong's Lexicon hekousios: Willingly, voluntarily Original Word: ἑκουσίως Word Origin: Derived from the Greek adjective ἑκούσιος (hekousios), meaning "voluntary" or "willing." Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for ἑκουσίως, the concept of voluntary action is present in the Hebrew Bible, often expressed through words like נְדָבָה (nedavah), meaning "freewill offering" or "voluntary gift." Usage: The adverb ἑκουσίως is used to describe an action done out of one's own free will, without compulsion or obligation. It emphasizes the voluntary nature of an action, highlighting the willingness and intentionality behind it. In the New Testament, it is often used to contrast actions done out of duty or compulsion with those done out of genuine willingness and desire. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of voluntary action was significant in both legal and social contexts. Voluntary actions were often seen as more virtuous and commendable, as they reflected the true intentions and character of an individual. In the context of early Christianity, voluntary actions, especially in service and giving, were highly valued as expressions of genuine faith and love. HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1595 hekoúsion (a substantival adjective, derived from 1635 /hekṓn, "willing, in consent") – properly, willing, i.e. of free-will; consent to act voluntarily (spontaneously). See 1635 (hekōn). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hekón Definition of free will, voluntary NASB Translation free will (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1595: ἑκούσιοςἑκούσιος, ἑκούσιον (ἑκών), voluntary: κατά ἑκούσιον, of free will, Philemon 1:14. (Numbers 15:3; καθ' ἑκουσιαν, Thucydides 8, 27 — ("The word understood in the one case appears to be τρόπον (Porphyry, de abst. 1, 9 καθ' ἑκούσιον τρόπον, comp. Euripides, Med. 751 ἑκουσίῳ τρόπῳ); in the other, γνώμην so ἑκούσια (doubtful, see Liddell and Scott), ἐξ ἑκουσιας, etc.;" cf. Lobeck, Phryn., p. 4; Lightfoot on Philemon, the passage cited; cf. Winer's Grammar, 463 (432)).) Strong's Exhaustive Concordance willingly. Neuter of a derivative from hekon; voluntariness -- willingly. see GREEK hekon Forms and Transliterations εκούσια εκουσίοις εκουσιον εκούσιον ἑκούσιον εκουσίου εκουσίω εκουσίων ekousion hekousion hekoúsionLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel Texts |