2308. thelésis

Lexicon

thelésis: Will, desire

Original Word: θέλησις
Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine
Transliteration: thelésis
Pronunciation: THEH-lay-sis
Phonetic Spelling: (thel'-ay-sis)
Definition: Will, desire
Meaning: a willing, will.

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

will.

From ethelo; determination (properly, the act), i.e. Option -- will.

see GREEK ethelo

HELPS Word-studies

Cognate: 2308 thélēsis (a feminine noun derived from 2309 /thélō, "desire, wish") – a desire or wish; a brand of God's preference "fleshed out" in a miraculous way in His servants (used only in Heb 2:4). See 2307 (thēlema).

NAS Exhaustive Concordance

Word Origin
from theló
Definition
will
NASB Translation
will (1).

Thayer's Greek Lexicon

STRONGS NT 2308: θέλησις

θέλησις, θελήσεως, ἡ (θέλω), equivalent to τό θέλειν, a willing, will: Hebrews 2:4. (Ezekiel 18:23; 2 Chronicles 15:15; Proverbs 8:35; Wis. 16:25; (Tobit 12:18); 2 Macc. 12:16; 3Macc. 2:26; (plural in) Melissa epist. ad Char., p. 62 Orell.; according to Pollux (l. 5 c. 47) a vulgarism (ἰδιωτικον); (cf. Lob. ad Phryn., p. 353).)

Topical Lexicon

Word Origin: Derived from the Greek verb θέλω (thelō), meaning "to will" or "to wish."

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: While there is no direct Hebrew equivalent for θέλησις, similar concepts can be found in Hebrew words related to will and desire, such as:

- חֵפֶץ (chephets) • Strong's Hebrew 2656: Refers to delight, pleasure, or desire.
- רָצוֹן (ratson) • Strong's Hebrew 7522: Denotes will, favor, or acceptance.

These Hebrew terms, like θέλησις, are used to express the idea of desire or will, whether human or divine, and are integral to understanding the biblical narrative of God's interaction with humanity.

Usage: The term θέλησις is used in the New Testament to express the concept of will or desire, particularly in relation to God's will or human intentions. It appears in contexts that discuss the alignment of human will with divine purposes.

Context: The Greek term θέλησις (thelēsis) is a significant theological concept in the New Testament, encapsulating the idea of will or desire. It is closely related to the verb θέλω (thelō), which is frequently used to express the act of willing or wishing. In the New Testament, θέλησις is used to describe both human and divine will, highlighting the importance of aligning one's personal desires with God's purposes.

In the context of divine will, θέλησις underscores the sovereignty and intentionality of God in the unfolding of His redemptive plan. It is often associated with God's desires for humanity, His intentions for creation, and the fulfillment of His promises. The concept of θέλησις is central to understanding the relationship between God's will and human agency, as believers are called to seek and align themselves with God's will.

In the Berean Standard Bible, θέλησις is translated in a way that reflects its nuanced meaning of desire or will. For example, in Philippians 2:13, it is written, "For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose." Here, θέλησις is used to convey the idea that God instills in believers both the desire and the ability to fulfill His purposes.

Theologically, θέλησις invites reflection on the nature of free will, divine sovereignty, and the moral responsibility of individuals to pursue God's will. It challenges believers to consider how their personal desires align with the greater purposes of God and encourages a life of obedience and submission to His divine plan.

Forms and Transliterations

θελήσει θελησιν θέλησιν θέλησις θελητάς θελητή θελητής θελητόν thelesin thelēsin thélesin thélēsin

Englishman's Concordance

Hebrews 2:4 N-AFS
GRK: τὴν αὐτοῦ θέλησιν
NAS: Spirit according to His own will.
KJV: according to his own will?
INT: his will

Strong's Greek 2308
1 Occurrence

θέλησιν — 1 Occ.