The term "would" in the Bible often appears as an auxiliary verb, expressing desire, intention, or a conditional situation. It is used to convey what someone wishes to do, what they intend to do, or what might happen under certain circumstances. In the context of Scripture, "would" can reflect the will of God, the desires of individuals, or hypothetical scenarios.

Expressions of Desire and Intention

In many instances, "would" is used to express a desire or intention. For example, in the New Testament, the Apostle Paul frequently uses "would" to convey his wishes or intentions regarding his ministry and the spiritual growth of believers. In Romans 7:15, Paul states, "For I do not understand what I am doing. For I do not practice what I would like to do, but I do what I hate." Here, "would" reflects Paul's inner desire to do what is right, despite his struggle with sin.

Divine Will and Human Response

The use of "would" can also highlight the contrast between divine will and human response. In Matthew 23:37, Jesus laments over Jerusalem, saying, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling." The phrase "I have longed" is akin to "I would," indicating Jesus' desire to protect and nurture the people, juxtaposed with their unwillingness to accept Him.

Hypothetical and Conditional Scenarios

"Would" is often employed in hypothetical or conditional statements, illustrating potential outcomes based on certain conditions. In John 15:19, Jesus tells His disciples, "If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." Here, "would" is used to describe a hypothetical situation where the disciples' alignment with the world would result in the world's acceptance.

Moral and Ethical Implications

The use of "would" in Scripture can also carry moral and ethical implications, as it often reflects the choices and intentions of individuals. In the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37), the priest and the Levite "would" have passed by the injured man, reflecting their choice to ignore his plight. In contrast, the Samaritan "would" stop and help, demonstrating compassion and mercy.

Theological Reflections

From a theological perspective, the use of "would" in the Bible underscores the tension between human free will and divine sovereignty. It highlights the choices individuals make in response to God's will and the consequences of those choices. The term invites readers to reflect on their own desires and intentions in light of God's purposes and commands.

In summary, "would" in the Bible serves as a versatile term that conveys desire, intention, hypothetical scenarios, and moral choices. It provides insight into the hearts and minds of biblical characters, as well as the nature of God's relationship with humanity.1. (imp.) of Will.

2. (v. t.) Commonly used as an auxiliary verb, either in the past tense or in the conditional or optative present. See 2d & 3d Will.

3. (n.) See Weld.

3785. ophelon -- would that (used to express an unattainable wish)
... would that (used to express an unattainable wish). Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:
ophelon Phonetic Spelling: (of'-el-on) Short Definition: O that! ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3785.htm - 6k

3195. mello -- to be about to
... 1), intending (8), later (1), must (1), next* (1), point (1), propose (1), ready
(1), things to come (3), will (6), will certainly (1), would (3), would live ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3195.htm - 9k

1096. ginomai -- to come into being, to happen, to become
... take place (16), taken (2), taken place (5), takes place (1), taking place (3),
there arose (1), thundered* (1), took place (7), turned (1), turns (3), would (1 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1096.htm - 15k

1937. epithumeo -- desire, lust after
... covet, desire, lust after. From epi and thumos; to set the heart upon, ie Long for
(rightfully or otherwise) -- covet, desire, would fain, lust (after). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1937.htm - 8k

4160. poieo -- to make, do
... appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out,
cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do(-ing ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4160.htm - 14k

4122. pleonekteo -- to have more, to overreach
... Word Origin from pleonektes Definition to have more, to overreach NASB Word Usage
advantage would be taken of (1), defraud (1), take any advantage (1), taken ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4122.htm - 7k

3131. manna -- manna
... In fact, the Rabbis taught that Messiah would prove his authority by repeating
just this miracle by which, they held, Moses had proved his. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3131.htm - 7k

2272. hesuchios -- tranquil
... 2272 ("calmly quiet") describes being "" by not misusing (or overusing) words that
would stir up needless friction (destructive commotion). Word Origin a prol. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2272.htm - 7k

2172. euchomai -- to pray
... 4336).]. Word Origin a prim. verb Definition to pray NASB Word Usage pray
(3), wish (1), wished (1), would wish (1). pray, will, wish. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2172.htm - 7k

3751. osphus -- the loin
... "To smite the loins" referred to a fatal blow -- "forever ending" anything
that would (could) come from the slain.]. Word Origin a prim. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3751.htm - 7k

305. achalay -- O! would that!
... 304, 305. achalay. 306 . O! would that! ... Word Origin of uncertain derivation
Definition O! would that! NASB Word Usage Oh (1), wish (1). O that, would God. ...
/hebrew/305.htm - 6k

3863. lu -- if, oh that
... Word Origin a prim. conjunction Definition if, oh that NASB Word Usage if (8), if
only (4), Oh (4), please (1), would (3). ... As a wish) would that! ...
/hebrew/3863.htm - 6k

2655. chaphets -- delighting in, having pleasure in
... pleasure in NASB Word Usage delight (4), desires (1), pleases (1), takes pleasure
(1), who delight (1), who delights (1), who favor (1), willing (1), would (1 ...
/hebrew/2655.htm - 6k

4310. mi -- who?
... 1), Oh (3), Oh that someone (3), Oh* (13), someone (1), what (19), which (4), who
(285), whoever (12), whoever* (4), whom (48), whom* (1), whose (16), would* (7 ...
/hebrew/4310.htm - 6k

6634. tseba -- to be inclined, desire, be pleased
... will, would. (Aramaic) corresponding to pithrown in the figurative sense of summoning
one's wishes; to please -- will, would. see HEBREW pithrown. 6633, 6634 ...
/hebrew/6634.htm - 6k

2974. yaal -- to show willingness, be pleased, determine ...
... 1), ventured (2), willing (5). assay, begin, be content, please, take upon,
willingly, would. A primitive root (probably rather the ...
/hebrew/2974.htm - 6k

5414. nathan -- to give, put, set
... 1), took (1), traded (1), turned (6), used (1), utter (1), uttered (2), uttered
forth (1), utters (5), wept* (1), wholly given (2), work (1), would* (7), yield ...
/hebrew/5414.htm - 9k

1004. bayith -- a house
... 1), within (3). court, door, dungeon, family, forth of, great as would contain,
hangings,. Probably from banah abbreviated; a house ...
/hebrew/1004.htm - 7k

14. abah -- to be willing, to consent
... willing, to consent NASB Word Usage consent (5), obey (1), refuse* (1), refused*
(1), satisfied (1), unwilling* (3), want (1), willing (23), would (16), would ...
/hebrew/14.htm - 6k

2654. chaphets -- to delight in
... bend; figuratively, to be pleased with, desire -- X any at all, (have, take) delight,
desire, favour, like, move, be (well) pleased, have pleasure, will, would ...
/hebrew/2654.htm - 5k

Would-Be Exorcists
... THE ACTS CHAP. XIII TO END WOULD-BE EXORCISTS. '...Jesus I know, and Paul
I know; but who are ye?' "Acts 19:15. These exorcists ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/would-be exorcists.htm

The Good that I Would I do Not. Rom 7
... ROMANS Hymn 126 The good that I would I do not. Rom 7. John Newton 6,6,8,6. The
good that I would I do not. Romans 7. I would, but cannot sing,. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/olney hymns/hymn 126 the good that.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Children Would have Been Born ...
... OF THE CONDITION OF THE OFFSPRING AS REGARDS RIGHTEOUSNESS (TWO ARTICLES) Whether
in the state of innocence children would have been born confirmed in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 9.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Children Would have Been Born ...
... OF THE CONDITION OF THE OFFSPRING AS REGARDS KNOWLEDGE (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in
the state of innocence children would have been born with perfect knowledge? ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 10.htm

Would You Venture to Say That, in this Universe...
... Book I. 11 Would you venture to say that, in this universe? Would you
venture to say that, in this universe, this thing or the ...
/.../the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/11 would you venture to.htm

Would that the Memory of the Fathers Would Exhale from the Tombs
... Hymn VI. Would that the memory of the fathers would exhale from the tombs.
1. Would that the memory of the fathers would exhale from ...
/.../ephraim/hymns and homilies of ephraim the syrian/hymn vi would that the.htm

Whether Original Sin Would be Contracted by a Person Formed ...
... OF THE CAUSE OF SIN, ON THE PART OF MAN (FIVE ARTICLES) Whether original sin would
be contracted by a person formed miraculously from human flesh? ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether original sin would be.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence There Would have Been Generation ...
... OF THE PRESERVATION OF THE SPECIES (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in the state
of innocence there would have been generation by coition? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 7.htm

Whether in the State of Innocence Children Would have had Perfect ...
... OF THE CONDITION OF THE OFFSPRING AS TO THE BODY (TWO ARTICLES) Whether in the state
of innocence children would have had perfect strength of body as to the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether in the state of 8.htm

We Would Ask You, and You Above All, O Romans...
... Book IV. 1 We would ask you, and you above all, O Romans? We would ask
you, and you above all, O Romans, lords and princes of ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/1 we would ask you.htm

Would (5478 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Would (5478 Occurrences). Would occurs 5478 times in 12
translations. You can narrow your search using the Advanced Bible Search. ...
/w/would.htm - 7k

Suffered (88 Occurrences)
... Matthew 24:43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered ...
/s/suffered.htm - 32k

Suppose (47 Occurrences)
... to one's self, or state to another, not as true or real, but as if so, and with
a view to some consequence or application which the reality would involve or ...
/s/suppose.htm - 20k

Agape
... The religious meals familiar to Jews-the Passover being the great type-would make
it natural In Jerusalem to give expression by means of table fellowship to ...
/a/agape.htm - 15k

Alphaeus (5 Occurrences)
... seems improbable. If they were brothers they would quite likely be associated
as are James and John, Andrew and Peter. Chrysostom ...
/a/alphaeus.htm - 12k

Scarcely (14 Occurrences)
... their eyes; or else perhaps they might perceive with their eyes, hear with their
ears, understand with their heart, and should turn again; and I would heal them ...
/s/scarcely.htm - 10k

Shebna (9 Occurrences)
... The other reference to Shebna in the title of the prophecy would lead one to conclude
that it denoted him "who was over the household," ie governor of the ...
/s/shebna.htm - 20k

Hagar (15 Occurrences)
... ordinary household slave but the peculiar property of her mistress (compare Genesis
29:24, 29), any offspring which she might bear to Abram would be reckoned ...
/h/hagar.htm - 22k

Quench (14 Occurrences)
... Deliver him who struck his brother, that we may kill him for the life of his brother
whom he killed, and so destroy the heir also.' Thus they would quench my ...
/q/quench.htm - 12k

Killeth (23 Occurrences)
... how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth
her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (ASV). ...
/k/killeth.htm - 13k

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