Lexical Summary prothumos: willing, eager Original Word: πρόθυμος Strong's Exhaustive Concordance ready, willing. From pro and thumos; forward in spirit, i.e. Predisposed; neuter (as noun) alacrity -- ready, willing. see GREEK pro see GREEK thumos HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 4289 próthymos (from 4253 /pró, "before" and 2372 /thymós, "passion") – properly, pre-disposed (positively inclined); enthusiastically willing; eager, "ready-to-go"; free, not weighed down by pre-existing (pre-set) objections or resistance; hence, willing, spontaneously generous, etc. See 4288 (prothymia). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom pro and thumos Definition willing, ready NASB Translation eager (1), willing (2). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 4289: πρόθυμοςπρόθυμος, πρόθυμον (πρό and θυμός), from (Sophocles and) Herodotus down, ready, willing: Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38; neuter τό πρόθυμον, equivalent to ἡ προθυμία: Romans 1:15, as in Thucydides 3, 82; Plato, legg. 9, p. 859 b.; Euripides, Med. verse 178; Josephus, Antiquities 4, 8, 13; Herodian, 8, 3, 15 (6 edition, Bekker) (on which cf. Irmisch); 3Macc. 5:26. Topical Lexicon Overview of the Motif of Willing ReadinessThe term πρόθυμον depicts an inner disposition that stands prepared before any external prompting. Scripture presents this heart–stance as a grace–enabled eagerness that cooperates with, yet is distinguished from, mere human resolve. In every occurrence the word confronts the tension between sincere spiritual desire and the resisting pull of fallen flesh or adverse circumstance. Occurrences in the Synoptic Gethsemane Accounts In both Matthew 26:41 and Mark 14:38 Jesus warns, “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” His injunction “Watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation” reveals three pastoral principles: 1. Willingness, though genuine, cannot substitute for vigilant dependence on God. By placing πρόθυμον on the lips of Jesus moments before His arrest, the Gospels underscore the urgency of aligning the believer’s inner eagerness with disciplined spiritual practices. Pauline Zeal for Gospel Proclamation Romans 1:15 situates the same term in an apostolic framework: “That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome.” Paul’s willingness flows from: • An obligation to Christ’s universal lordship (Romans 1:5). Thus πρόθυμον expresses more than personal enthusiasm; it is a Spirit–wrought readiness calibrated to God’s missionary agenda. Theological and Ministerial Significance Preparedness of spirit forms a recurring biblical theme: • Old Testament parallels: a “willing spirit” in Psalm 51:12 and a “willing heart” among tabernacle craftsmen (Exodus 35:21–29) prefigure the New Testament concept. Ministry that springs from πρόθυμον therefore marries fervor with submission, guarding against complacency on one side and self–reliant activism on the other. Historical Interpretation Early church voices recognized the pastoral weight of the term: • Augustine observed that “goodwill alone does not achieve good works; prayer brings divine aid to willing hearts.” Reformers likewise highlighted willing readiness as evidence of authentic faith, distinguishing it from compulsion based on external law. Practical Implications for Contemporary Discipleship 1. Cultivate habitual watchfulness through scheduled and spontaneous prayer. Eschatological Readiness The word’s connotation of prompt preparedness also aligns with New Testament exhortations to live expectantly for Christ’s return (Matthew 24:42–46). Willing readiness today anticipates future accountability and joy. Conclusion Strong’s Greek 4289 encapsulates the believer’s Spirit–enabled eagerness that persists amid human weakness and external obstacles. Whether voiced by Jesus in a prayer–soaked garden or by Paul on the eve of a Roman mission, πρόθυμον calls every generation to a vigilant, fervent, and gospel–anchored readiness. Forms and Transliterations προθυμον πρόθυμον πρόθυμος prothumon prothymon próthymonLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Matthew 26:41 Adj-NNSGRK: μὲν πνεῦμα πρόθυμον ἡ δὲ NAS: the spirit is willing, but the flesh KJV: indeed [is] willing, but INT: indeed spirit [is] willing but Mark 14:38 Adj-NNS Romans 1:15 Adj-NNS |
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