Lexical Summary hekousiós: voluntarily, willfully Original Word: ἑκουσίως Strong's Exhaustive Concordance willfully, willingly. Adverb from the same as hekousion; voluntarily -- wilfully, willingly. see GREEK hekousion HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1596 hekousíōs (an adverb, derived from 1595 /hekoúsion) – properly, willingly (willfully), i.e. "what is of free-will" (J. Thayer). See 1635 (hekōn). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom hekousios Definition voluntarily NASB Translation voluntarily (1), willfully (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1596: ἑκουσίωςἑκουσίως, adverb (from Euripides down), voluntarily, willingly, of one's own accord: Hebrews 10:26 (ἑκουσίως ἁμαρτάνειν (A. V. to sin willfully) is tacitly opposed to sins committed inconsiderately, and from ignorance or from weakness); 1 Peter 5:2. Topical Lexicon Definition and Scope The adverb ἑκουσίως (hekousiōs) describes an action performed freely, of one’s own accord, in full awareness and with deliberate intent. It stands in contrast to anything done by compulsion, ignorance, or external coercion. Occurrences in Scripture • Hebrews 10:26 – “If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains”. Contextual Insights: Hebrews 10:26 Here ἑκουσίως characterizes ongoing, high-handed rebellion that parallels Numbers 15:30–31. Such sin knowingly tramples the Son of God and rejects the only atonement God has provided. The warning underscores personal responsibility: persistent, willful sin places the sinner under certain judgment (Hebrews 10:27–29). Contextual Insights: 1 Peter 5:2 Peter directs elders to shepherd “willingly,” not from external pressure. The same adverb that condemns deliberate rebellion in Hebrews commends joyful, voluntary service here. Leadership offered freely mirrors Christ, who “lays down His life of His own accord” (John 10:18). Theological Significance 1. Human Will and Accountability – Scripture consistently treats deliberate choices as morally weighty (Deuteronomy 30:19; Romans 6:16). Pastoral Implications • Church Discipline – Hebrews 10:26 provides theological basis for confronting ongoing, willful sin (Matthew 18:15-17). Historical Usage in the Early Church Early Christian writers stressed willingness in martyrdom, almsgiving, and ordination. The Didache exhorted believers to “give freely,” and Cyprian distinguished martyrs who died voluntarie (willingly) from those who capitulated under duress, reflecting the New Testament ideal. Application for Ministry Today Encourage voluntary participation in worship and service; identify and address patterns of deliberate sin; mentor leaders to shepherd by divine calling rather than human compulsion. Related Concepts • Προθυμία (“readiness of mind,” 2 Corinthians 8:11) Further Study Hebrews 6:4-6; John 10:17-18; 2 Corinthians 8:3-5; Ephesians 6:6; Isaiah 1:19 Forms and Transliterations Εκουσιως εκουσίως Ἑκουσίως Ekousios Ekousiōs Hekousios Hekousiōs Hekousíos HekousíōsLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 10:26 AdvGRK: Ἑκουσίως γὰρ ἁμαρτανόντων NAS: For if we go on sinning willfully after KJV: sin wilfully after INT: [if] willingly indeed sin 1 Peter 5:2 Adv |
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